FAQs

Convention Dates

When is TCEA’s 2025 Convention & Exposition?
TCEA’s 2025 convention will be held Saturday, February 1 – Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

Why does TCEA 2025 start on a Saturday?
The driving factor behind starting TCEA on a weekend was data and feedback from thousands of previous attendees. A Saturday start allows more classroom teachers to attend without having to miss classroom instruction time or book a substitute teacher for the first two days of convention.

What type of content will be available on Saturday and Sunday?
Saturday and Sunday are part of the regular convention schedule that runs through Wednesday, Feb. 5. Each day will include sessions and events as laid out in the schedule and session listing. There are no pre-events for the 2025 TCEA Convention & Exposition.

Registration

Can I register onsite?
Yes, you may register on-site at the Austin Convention Center at the Registration Desk located in the Solar Atrium. Please note that there are a limited number of One-Day Badges available. Check the registration page to see if One-Day Badges have sold out before heading to the convention center. The best way to guarantee you get the badge you want is to register in advance of the event when registration opens on September 12.

When does pricing for TCEA 2025 increase?
Early bird registration for TCEA 2025 will end on November 8. At 12:01 a.m. on November 9, pricing will increase to the “advanced pricing” rate.

Advanced pricing for TCEA 2025 will end on January 10, 2025. At 12:01 a.m. on January 11, pricing will increase to the “regular pricing” rate.

How do I know my registration went through?
After submitting your registration, you’ll see a confirmation message with a checkmark in a green circle. You will also receive 2-3 emails, depending on your payment method, sent to the email you used for registration. If you don’t see them in your inbox, please check your junk or spam folders. 

Where can I find my registration receipt and confirmation email?
After registering, you will receive 2-3 emails in the inbox of the email you used to register. If they don’t appear, please check your junk or spam folders. If you paid at the time of registration, one of the emails will include a receipt. If you chose “Invoice” as your payment method, one of the emails will include a link to your invoice. You can also log in to our Membership Portal and go to the Financial section of your account to access your receipt, invoice, or make a credit card payment if needed. For more information, contact registration@tcea.org.

Besides the convention, what does my registration include?
Your registration includes a forever-free TCEA membership! Your membership will automatically renew every year, and will always cost you $0. So, with convention registration, you get access to free weekly webinars, four years of previously recorded webinars, an online community of educators, and access to a gigantic resource library.

What is the cost to attend?
Prices vary based on when you register and what type of badge you’re seeking. View badge types and fees on our Registration page.

Are there discounts for students?
Undergraduate students can register for a Full Conference Badge for just $100. To receive this discounted rate, please reach out to registration@tcea.org for more information.

You will be required to provide proof that you are currently a student in an undergraduate program by providing a copy of your school ID or current class schedule.

Note: These rates are not available to graduate or doctoral students.

Can K-12 students attend?
To provide all TCEA Convention & Exposition attendees with an optimal learning environment, children under the age of 18 are not permitted into sessions, learning labs, poster fair, or the exhibit hall. Attendees 18 and older must be registered for the convention to gain access to these areas.

Student presenters: Children under the age of 18 who are participating as co-presenters in a session must be registered as a student presenter, be accompanied by a guardian at all times, and wear their student presenter badge while in the Convention Center.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this policy.

Do you provide an online registration that’s equivalent to the in-person experience?
No. There is no virtual/online component to TCEA 2025.

Can I purchase more than one badge per attendee?
No. Each individual may register for one badge type only.

Can I access the Exhibit Hall if I get a One-Day Badge?
Yes. You may access the Exhibit Hall if you have a One-Day Badge for Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday. The exhibit hall is closed on Saturday and Wednesday. With a One-Day Badge, you may access the Exhibit Hall only on the day your badge is valid.

Can I attend sessions if I purchase an Exhibit Hall-Only Badge?
Exhibit Hall-Only Badges offer access to the exhibit hall floor and exhibitor showcase sessions only.

Can I register a group of attendees?
Group registrations are not available. Each attendee must register themselves individually using their own TCEA account.

Can I pay for multiple registrations with one payment?

Yes. Even though each registration will receive a separate confirmation email, you may pay for multiple people with one payment if using a PO or check.

For any check or PO, please include the following:

• Each group member’s name
• Invoice numbers from each individual’s confirmation email
• Total amount for each individual
• Total for the group

Note: Group payments cannot be made with a credit card. However, each registrant receives an email with the subject “Access Your 2025 TCEA Convention & Exposition Invoice # Here.” This email contains a link to pay with a credit card, which can be forwarded to the payer. No login is required to complete the payment.

How do I make group hotel reservations?
TCEA has reserved blocks of rooms at select hotels for a reduced rate. Once the registration is complete, you will receive a link and a prompt to make hotel reservations. You may make up to five hotel reservations at a time. A request for more than 10 rooms in the same block is considered a group block and requires approval. See our Housing and Travel section below for more information.

Payment Policy

 View the full payment policy.

Can I register now and pay later?
Yes. TCEA provides a 30-day window for payment. You may register online and select the “Invoice” option on the payment page. You will be required to provide an acceptable form of payment within 30 days of registering to avoid cancellation. Acceptable forms of payment include purchase orders, checks, and credit cards.

Can I register and pay with a purchase order (PO)?

Yes, you can register and pay by purchase order.

On the payment page, select “Invoice” as your payment method, and then email a copy of the purchase order to registration@tcea.org once it’s available.

NOTE: To avoid cancellation, all POs must be submitted within 30 days of registration. While a PO confirms your registration, it is not a final payment. The final payment can be made via check or credit card no later than 30 days after the event.

What if I don’t have a purchase order when I register?

You can still complete your registration without a purchase order. Select “Invoice” as your payment method on the payment page, and email a copy of the PO to registration@tcea.org once it becomes available.

NOTE: To avoid cancellation, all POs must be submitted within 30 days of registration. While a PO confirms your registration, it is not a final payment. The final payment can be made via check or credit card no later than 30 days after the event.

Can I register and pay with a check?
Yes. You may register and pay by check.

Select “Invoice” on the payment page when registering.
Within 30 days of registering, mail your check to:
TCEA Registration
P.O. Box 18507
Austin, Texas 78760

NOTE: All checks must be received within 30 days of registering to avoid cancellation.

How do I submit my payment after I’ve registered?

• Purchase Order: Email a copy of the PO to registration@tcea.org.
• Credit Card: In the confirmation email with the subject “Access Your 2025 TCEA Convention & Exposition Invoice # Here,” there is a link to pay by credit card. This link can be forwarded to the payer, and no login is required.
• Check: Mail your check to:
  • TCEA Registration
    P.O. Box 18507
    Austin, Texas 78760

When is payment due?
An acceptable form of payment must be received within 30 days of registering to avoid cancellation for non-payment. Acceptable forms of payment include purchase orders, checks, and credit cards. Registrations made less than 30 days before the event must submit payment before the start of the event, or prior to event participation.

View the full payment policy here.

Where do I send my purchase order (PO)?
Email a copy of the purchase order to registration@tcea.org.

I submitted a Purchase Order, why does my registration still show as unpaid? Why do I still have a balance due?
A Purchase Order confirms your registration for the event, but it is not a final payment. Payment by check or credit card must be sent to fulfill your Purchase Order and pay for your registration.

Did you receive my payment?
You will receive an email confirming the receipt of your payment or purchase order. Specific questions related to payment should be sent to accounting@tcea.org.

My registration was canceled due to non-payment. Can it be reinstated?
You can re-register once payment is available, but it will be at the current registration rate, which may be higher than your original rate. Your payment must reflect the new, current rate.

If I can no longer attend, can I send someone else in my place?

Yes, you can transfer your registration by following these steps:

1. The person taking your place must register for the conference and choose the “Invoice” option.
2. Email registration@tcea.org with the original attendee’s name and the name and invoice number of the person attending in their place.
3. Our office will adjust the price if necessary and add a $25 transfer fee to the new registration. This fee must be paid by PO, check, or credit card before the event.
4. The new registrant will receive updated confirmation emails.

On Site Accessibility

Will there be Mobility Scooter Rentals?
Mobility scooters are available to rent through the Business Center at the Austin Convention Center. If you would like to rent a scooter, please contact Logan Murphy at logan.murphy@austintexas.gov or tel: 512-404-4258.

Scooters are located at the Business Center between Exhibit Halls 2 and 3.

Scooters are for use inside the Austin Convention Center only.
Reservations are due 30 days prior to the event. Requests received within 30 days of the event are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Current rates: $45/1 day, $80/2 days, $120/3 days, $160/4 days. (Credit only, no mobile pay)

Rental requires a $50 deposit, which is refunded once the scooter is returned/undamaged. (Credit only, no mobile pay)
A rental agreement, waiver form and payment are required at the time of rental.

Requests for Interpreters
Accommodations will be made available to our deaf and hard of hearing participants if requested. If you would like to request accommodations, please indicate this during the registration process or send an email directly to jvasquez@tcea.org before January 12, 2025. Those requesting accommodations must provide their anticipated schedule when submitting their request.

Will the Austin Convention Center offer Nursing Mothers Rooms?
Austin Convention Center has two private rooms for nursing mothers:

• Level 1 – Located beside Room 1
• Level 3 – Located across from Room 10C
  Maps with the locations marked on them will be available during the Convention.

Where will Emergency Services be located?
Emergency medical services will be available during event hours on Level 1 (outside EH 4, Trinity Street side).

Presenters

Do presenters have to register for the convention?
Yes. All presenters wishing to attend are required to register by November 8, 2024. Primary presenters receive a discounted registration badge for $99. Co-presenters do not receive a complimentary or discounted registration. (See the next question if you can only attend the session you are presenting.) For questions regarding presenter requirements, please contact us at presenters@tcea.org.

What if I can only attend my session?
If you are unable to attend the full conference but still wish to present, complete this form to request a presenter-only badge. Note that this does not provide access to other sessions or the Exhibit Hall.

How do I register for the $99 presenter rate?
Starting September 12, or when a primary presenter signs their contract in the Speaker Service Center, presenters will receive an email containing the discount code to register. Co-presenters will not receive this email, as they do not receive discounted registration.

What if I will have a student co-presenter(s) for my presentation?
You may register a maximum of three student co-presenters by completing the request form. An email will be sent in January with information regarding your student presenters, the required Student Release Form for students under 18 years of age, and student co-presenter badges. Student co-presenter badges are provided to minor students in order to present only. Students will not be allowed into any additional educational sessions or events.

Will my student co-presenter need a chaperone?
Due to room capacities, only one adult chaperone will be permitted to attend the students’ session. The attending adult chaperone will qualify for a complimentary one-session-only badge for the students’ session. Any additional chaperones may purchase a badge to enter the room or will be required to wait in the convention lobby area.

Where can student co-presenters and chaperones pick up their badges?
Chaperones may pick up their badge as well as student badges at the Registration Help Counter, located in the Level 1 Atrium of the Austin Convention Center. Chaperones must be present in order to pick up badges during registration hours.

Workshops and Sessions

Where and when can I see what sessions will be offered?
The full session listing will be available online and in the TCEA app in early September. Sessions listed in the app are updated as soon as any changes occur. A PDF listing and a paper or physical copy of the session listing are not available.

How can I search for sessions by content?
Using the online search tool in the app, you can search and filter by keyword, topic, role, skill level, speaker, or target audience.

Can I pre-register for presentations and events?
Pre-registration is not provided for presentations or individual events. These events fill on a first-come, first-seated basis until the designated space reaches maximum capacity.

Is there a waiting list for an event that has filled to capacity?
No. TCEA does not keep a waiting list.

Will I earn educational credits for attending this event?
Yes. TCEA is registered with the Texas State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) as an approved provider of professional development. You can earn CPE credits for all sessions delivered by TCEA.

Attendees must be scanned into each session they attend for credit tracking. After the convention a link to your CPE/credit certificate will be made available to you in the TCEA app.

Out-of-state attendees need to contact their district administrators to confirm credit validity.

Will I earn GT credits for attending this event?
Select TCEA presentations are applicable to Gifted and Talented credit accrual. In the session listing, search by the topic “GT” to review those that are applicable.

Will I be able to earn a Microcredential for attending certain topic-related sessions?
Yes. We will be announcing more information about the TCEA 2025 microcredentialling program at a later date.

Housing and Travel

How do I reserve a hotel room?
TCEA has reserved blocks of rooms at select hotels at a discounted rate. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email including a link and prompt to make hotel reservations. You must be registered in order to make hotel reservations.

How many rooms can I reserve at one time?
You can make reservations for up to five rooms at a time. Each individual on the hotel reservation must be registered for the convention before the hotel reservation can be completed. A request for more than 10 rooms in the same block is considered a group block and requires approval.

I have a large group and would like to stay at the same hotel. Can you accommodate?
Requests for group blocks of 10 or more rooms require TCEA’s approval through our housing bureau, Key Bookings. Complete the group block form located on the housing site to submit your request. Group blocks are subject to availability. Attendees in group blocks must be registered for the convention within 72 hours of securing a group block, or rooms are subject to cancellation.

What do I do if I did not receive the registration confirmation with the housing link?
Check your inbox, spam, and junk folders for the registration confirmation email from registration@tcea.org with the Subject: 2025 TCEA Convention & Exposition Registration Confirmation. If you still cannot locate your confirmation email, you may log in to access your registration, view the housing link on your web browser, or request a confirmation resend. If you have further difficulties locating the housing link, please contact us at registration@tcea.org.

My preferred hotel is not available for the dates I will be at the convention. Can I be placed on a waiting list?
All hotel rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If a night(s) is unavailable at your preferred hotel, but the rest of the nights are available, the reservation system will allow you to reserve the available nights and be placed on a waitlist for the unavailable night(s). The housing bureau will monitor waitlisted nights and try to clear those reservations.

Note: The waitlist is for situations in which a night or two is unavailable, not for situations in which all nights at the desired hotel are unavailable.

How do I receive the government rate for my hotel reservation?
If you qualify for and require the government rate, please contact your hotel directly to inquire. TCEA’s hotel block cannot accommodate a reduced government rate beyond the discounted options available.

How do I make changes to my existing hotel reservation?
Changes and cancellations may be made online using the reservation number provided in your reservation confirmation email. Reservations may be canceled without penalty through December 6, 2024. Cancellations made after December 6 are subject to a cancellation fee. Key Bookings will assist with reservation changes and cancellations until January 10. After that date, all changes and cancellations must be made directly through the hotel. Please review TCEA’s housing policies on the Location and Travel page.

Does TCEA provide shuttle service to and from the convention center?
Yes. TCEA does provide shuttle service to selected TCEA Convention hotels. A map of the hotels with shuttle service is available on the Location and Travel page.

Volunteers

What type of jobs do you have for volunteers?
You can sign up for one or more “volunteer block(s).” A volunteer block is a 4.5-hour block of time where you will be scheduled to assist with session management (monitoring room capacity, calling for tech support, etc.). Volunteers who sign up for and fulfill two volunteer blocks qualify for free registration and other benefits.

When can I sign up to volunteer?
Volunteer opportunities will open on September 12. Check the Volunteer page for more information.

Where can I sign up to volunteer?
At the end of the registration process, you will see a link to apply to volunteer. You may apply using that link or using the link on the Volunteer page.

Can I choose my volunteer location?
When you apply to volunteer at TCEA 2025, you will be asked to select the time block(s) for which you are available. Our team will then assign you a volunteer location where you are needed most. We are unable to accommodate specific location requests, at this time.

When is my registration fee waived?
You will need to register for TCEA 2025 before applying to volunteer. During registration, select Invoice as your payment option. Once approved as a volunteer, you will receive an approval email. Then, you will receive an email showing you owe $0 for your registration. NOTE: If you do not fulfill your assigned two, 4.5 hour volunteer blocks, you will be billed the full registration amount.

Important note for those that receive a complimentary registration:
If you cancel your shifts and free registration more than 30 days before the start of the event, there will be no penalty. If you cancel your shifts and free registration less than 30 days before the start of the event, you will be responsible for the full registration fee (based on the date you registered) as per our cancellation policy at https://tcea.org/payment/.

Failure to fulfill your Volunteer shifts at the event will result in your badge being deactivated on-site for the convention until a form of payment has been provided at registration. This means you will not have access to sessions or any CPE credit documentation.

Exhibitors and Sponsors

What is the price for an exhibit space?
Pricing information for exhibit hall booths can be found on the Booth Pricing page. You can reserve a booth at TCEA 2025 on the Exhibitor Login page.

How do I reserve exhibit space?
To reserve a booth space, go to the Exhibitor Login page and select Booth Registration under New Exhibitors. This will take you through the reservation process, where you can enter company information, select a booth space, and see payment options.

How can I apply for a vendor-led session (also known as exhibitor showcase session)?
The application will be available in late October with the release of the Exhibitor Services Kit. All current exhibitors may access the Exhibitor Services Kit inside the Exhibitor Service Center to access the application and apply for an exhibitor showcase session. You must be a confirmed exhibitor in order to apply for a vendor-led session.

How do I register my booth personnel?
All current exhibitors may access the Exhibitor Services Kit, which will be available in late October, inside the Exhibitor Service Center to register their booth staff.

What is the cancellation policy if TCEA cancels the event? 
Please refer to the Exhibitor Contract Terms and Conditions for more information.

What is the cancellation policy if the exhibitor decides to cancel for any reason?
All booth cancellations must be submitted to TCEA in writing. In the event of an exhibitor canceling booth space, the following cancellation policy will apply, even if TCEA is able to resell the space.

• Cancellations made on or before September 2, 2024: An amount equal to 25 percent of the total booth fee will be retained by TCEA.
• Cancellations received from September 3, 2024, to October 4, 2024: An amount equal to 50 percent of the total booth fee will be retained by TCEA.
• Cancellations after October 4, 2024: No refunds will be given on cancellations received after October 4, 2024.

Where can I view available sponsorship opportunities?
You can request sponsorship information by going to the Sponsorship page and completing the form or contacting Sammy Unberhagen at sunberhagen@tcea.org or 512-450-5390.

Media

Are media invited to cover the show?
Yes, TCEA invites local and national media to attend, to cover the event, and to share the latest ed tech showcased at the TCEA Convention & Exposition. Check out the Media page for more information. Please contact press@tcea.org or (512) 450-5440 for all media inquiries.

How do I register as media?
Approved media will receive complimentary registration. Application for media credentials will be available in September. If approved, you will receive your registration confirmation within 72 hours. Please contact press@tcea.org or (512) 450-5440 for all media inquiries.

I am a blogger and would like to cover the event. How do I register?
Bloggers are invited to cover the event but will not receive a discounted or complimentary registration. You may register online, but be sure to also register as media so we recognize you and provide you with relevant information.

Past Convention Handouts and Certificate of Attendance

​How do I retrieve my certificate of attendance and credit hours for attending the 2025 TCEA Convention & Exposition?
After the 2025 TCEA Convention & Exposition closes, a link to access the certificate will be available in the TCEA app and on the convention website. You will also receive an email with a direct link. Contact us at registration@tcea.org if you need assistance accessing your certificates.

How do I convert TCEA’s credit hours to my state’s approved credits?
TCEA is an approved credit provider in the state of Texas. Out-of-state attendees will need to contact their district administrators to confirm credit validity.

I attended a previous TCEA Convention & Exposition. Can I still gain access to the handouts?
No. Access to past convention handouts has expired.

I attended a previous TCEA Convention & Exposition. Can I gain access to my certificate of attendance?
TCEA began electronically tracking CPE credits at the 2017 TCEA Convention & Exposition. For 2016 and previous years, all CPE accrual was self-reporting. To access your certificate of attendance and CPE forms for the 2017 – 2020 conventions, click the links below and enter the email address you used for registration.

Future Dates

Yes. The dates and locations for future TCEA conventions are:

• • February 1 – 5, 2025
    Austin, Texas

• • January 31 – February 4, 2026
    San Antonio, Texas

• • January 30 – February 3, 2027
    San Antonio, Texas

• • January 29 – February 2, 2028
    San Antonio, Texas

• • January 27 – 31, 2029
    San Antonio, Texas

• • February 2 – 6, 2030
    San Antonio, Texas