NAEA26 FAQ

Registration to the NAEA National Convention includes in-person access to hundreds of sessions (including General Session keynotes), meetings, and the Exhibit Hall. Additional activities, events, and hands-on workshops are available by purchasing a ticket in advance (while supplies last). Transportation, accommodations, and meals are not included with registration.  

All NAEA26 programming will take place in person in Chicago, IL. Keynote and Artist Series sessions will be recorded and available to registrants after the Convention. No other programming will be recorded.  

Please see the 2026 National Convention registration rates. Please note: There is a tiered registration rate. Register early to get the best rates.  

You can register online (recommended), over the phone by calling NAEA Member Services at (800) 299-8321 (M-F, 8:15 – 4:30 ET), on-site during the Convention at the NAEA Registration Desk, or by using the NAEA26 printable registration form.

No, there is no daily rate available for the NAEA National Convention. If you need to attend less than the 3 full days of the Convention, you may register on-site or in advance online, at the prevailing full rate.

No, prepayment is required. We accept payments by check and credit card. Cash will not be accepted if you register on-site. If you require an invoice for your school or district to pay for your registration, please register online. When you get to the checkout screen, click on “Bill Me” and hit submit. The system will email you an invoice. Once the payment is received by NAEA, we can process your registration. 

Registration may be canceled until January 30, 2026, and a $75 cancellation fee per registration will be assessed. After January 31, 2026, no refunds will be issued. View our full cancellation, privacy, and safety policies.

Please Note: If you cancel your NAEA26 registration, it does not constitute cancellation of your hotel reservation or other travel arrangements. You will need to take the necessary steps to cancel any hotel reservations and/or travel arrangements created regarding the National Convention

No. There is currently no set capacity for NAEA26. Registration will be open through the duration of the Convention.

We do want to note that there are physical space limitations at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, and the NAEA Team is working to create an optimal National Convention experience for all attendees. 

One guest per attendee is permitted and can be purchased online (recommended), over the phone by calling NAEA Member Services at (800) 299-8321 (M-F, 8:15 – 4:30 ET), on-site during the Convention at the NAEA Registration Desk, or by using the NAEA26 printable registration form.  

Individuals registering as guests must accompany a paid registrant and should not be educators seeking professional learning. Guests do not receive access to archived programming or professional learning credit for attendance.

No, meals are not included as part of the 2026 National Convention experience. The Hyatt Regency Chicago has several outlets that NAEA26 attendees can take advantage of during session break times. Click here for outlet information and hours. There are various food outlets in immediate proximity of the hotel, including the Michigan Plaza and Illinois Center Shops connected to the hotel through the West Tower Concourse/Bronze Level. Please click here for an interactive map of Chicago, highlighting popular local restaurants and more. 

Please Note: No food outlet options will be available in the NAEA26 exhibit hall or throughout the hotel meeting space. 

Yes, the National Art Education Association offers several scholarship opportunities for to support art educators seeking further professional learning. Please see this page for scholarship information.  

Midway International Airport (MDW) and O’Hare International Airport (ORD) are the closest airports to use when arranging air travel for NAEA26. These are the primary airports servicing Chicago, Illinois, and are about 12–18 miles from downtown Chicago and the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Travel to and from the NAEA26 hotel and the airports takes about 26–35 minutes, heavily depending on the time of day and traffic. 

Yes, NAEA has partnered with both Southwest Airlines and United Airlines to offer discounted fares to NAEA26 attendees. Visit the Travel & Housing web page to take advantage of discounted air fares! 

The full listing of hundreds of sessions will be available soon! Please keep an eye on your email inbox, as well as the NAEA26 website, for details.  

Programming is selected from proposals submitted by colleagues representing elementary, middle level, secondary, higher education, preservice, museum education, supervision and administration, and more, following a careful review process. Extra care has been taken to ensure content is relevant to the 2026–2027 school year. In addition, specially selected keynotes and featured artists will deliver presentations.  

Yes. All Keynote and Artist Series sessions will be recorded and available to registrants following the Convention. However, there is no “virtual” component to NAEA26 programming. All sessions will take place in person, and archived sessions are limited to the General Sessions and Artist Series sessions.  

A number of Hands-On Workshops are available at NAEA26 for an additional fee. Each workshop has limited capacity to facilitate more direct instruction and engagement for participants. You must be registered for the Convention to purchase tickets. Tickets must be purchased in advance of the workshop. Tickets tend to sell out quickly, we recommend you purchase tickets as early as possible. Ticketed workshops will be announced and available for purchase soon. 

Registrants have access to hundreds of concurrent sessions included with your registration cost. Most National Convention programming is available to attendees at no additional cost. Sessions requiring purchase of a ticket, including Ticketed Hands-On Workshops, Special Events, and Preconventions, will be listed as such. Ticket fees help cover the cost of supplies, activities, and amenities for these NAEA26 workshops and events. If you choose not to purchase tickets for Hands-On Ticketed Workshops or other events, you will still have access to hundreds of no-cost sessions to attend. 

Currently, the Museum Education Preconvention, taking place on Wednesday, March 4, at the Art Institute of Chicago, is the only scheduled Preconvention Workshop. A separate advance registration is required for this Preconvention. Registration and more information for this Preconvention will be available soon.
 

Yes. This year’s Artisans Gallery will take place on Thursday, March 4, 7–10 pm. Details about applications, booking a vendor table, and location are coming soon.  

Yes. This year’s Opening Night pARTy will take place on Thursday, March 4, 7–10 pm. National Convention registrants must purchase a ticket for admission to the Opening Night pARTy. Tickets will be available for purchase soon.

Yes, each year the National Convention hosts an Exhibit Hall filled with prominent businesses, organizations, and institutions serving the art education field. Access to exhibitors will be available from 11:00 am to 4:00pm on March 5 and 6, and from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on March 7. Exhibitors will be listed on the NAEA National Convention web page and the mobile app. The NAEA26 Exhibit Hall will be located on the Riverside Exhibit/Purple Level in the EAST Tower of the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Only the National Convention General Session keynotes and Artist Series will be recorded and available to registrants following the Convention. There is no official “On Demand” or “Virtual” component for NAEA26. 

Yes. Please alert the NAEA registration desk of your missing item. All lost and found items will be delivered to the HRC security office at the end of each day of the Convention. You can also contact the HRC security team by dialing 4646 from your guest-room phone or visit the front desk to be connected with a member of the HRC security team regarding the lost item.  

With the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed at Hyatt Regency Chicago. If you have any questions about the policy, please contact the hotel directly at 312-565-1234. 

 *HRC welcomes guests with disabilities traveling with their service animals. Service animals are not pets and are not subject to this Pet Policy. For more information, please contact the hotel. 

Yes. HRC only offers valet parking on-site at the hotel at a rate of $87 per night. Valet parking is available at the Hyatt Regency Chicago with unlimited in-and-out privileges during your stay at the hotel. *Please note that the vehicle clearance height in the garage is 6 feet 8 inches. 

A number of self-parking options are available nearby, the closest being 111 East Wacker. Please visit those individual websites for pricing and availability. 

HRC does not independently provide these services. Individuals needing a wheelchair or scooter rental are recommended to contact:  

Scootaround
844-745-0541 

HRC does not independently provide this service. We recommend storing your coat and/or luggage with your hotel bell stand prior to your departure.