Another successful conference is in the books! Thank you for coming and sharing so many great experiences. It seems that every conference just gets better. This year, we had a huge turnout. My records show that we had nearly 1100 members in attendance! Bravo to everyone who was able to attend concerts, clinics, networking, and learning experiences.
Regarding registration, I have never worked harder to have everyone’s badges ready in advance. We had 90% of the badges ready on day one! When you pre-register, it allows me to make your check-in quick and easy by having your badge ready. You can help by starting early with your part of the process. Avoid late fees and upset bookkeepers by registering before the pre-registration deadline. I encourage you to stay in touch with your administration as you work through the process of reviewing costs, creating a purchase order, registering, and paying. These steps take time, so start earlier to avoid issues completing your registration on time.
Regarding your requirement to be a member of NAfME and AMEA to attend the conference. Please note that your membership expires on June 30, 2026, and must be renewed before you can attend the 2027 conference. There is a step that some of our members find hard to follow. You must check the box to associate your membership with Alabama. AMEA receives a portion of your membership dues for that. You will not be a member of AMEA unless you check that box, so look for it when you renew your membership this summer. A few other things we are addressing for the 2027 conference registration include ensuring the system accepts only one registration at a time. You will not be able to register for more than one person at a time in the future. We will also create a field for you to enter the name of the school where you teach, which will be added to your conference badge. The registrar can help you register/pay by credit card for future events. Finally, you can purchase our beautiful AMEA pin on the website and have it mailed directly to you. I look forward to serving you again in 2026-2027!