The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and professional environment for all attendees. Please review our policies carefully to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

Annual Convention Goals

The NCTE Annual Convention aims to:

  • Provide opportunities for professional development and networking among educators
  • Showcase innovative teaching practices and research in English language arts
  • Foster dialogue on critical issues facing literacy education
  • Celebrate the achievements of educators and students in the field of English language arts

Convention Purpose Statement

The NCTE Annual Convention serves as the premier professional gathering for English language arts educators, bringing together teachers, administrators, researchers, and other stakeholders from across the country and around the world. The Convention provides a platform for sharing best practices, engaging with cutting-edge research, and building a community committed to excellence in literacy education.

Through keynote addresses, concurrent sessions, workshops, poster presentations, and networking opportunities, the Convention supports educators in their ongoing professional growth and helps them bring fresh insights and strategies back to their classrooms and institutions.

Code of Conduct

All attendees, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and staff at NCTE events are required to abide by the following code of conduct:

  • Respect: Treat all participants with respect and professionalism. Engage in constructive dialogue and be open to diverse perspectives.
  • Inclusivity: Foster an inclusive environment that welcomes people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
  • Professionalism: Conduct yourself professionally in all interactions. Refrain from disruptive behavior or language that could create an uncomfortable environment.
  • Integrity: Be honest and ethical in all professional communications and activities. Properly attribute the work of others and avoid plagiarism.
  • Compliance: Follow all venue policies, local laws, and NCTE guidelines. Report any concerns or violations to NCTE staff immediately.

Violations of this code may result in removal from the event without refund and potential exclusion from future NCTE events.

Mutual Respect and Anti-Harassment Policy

NCTE is committed to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Offensive verbal comments related to protected characteristics
  • Inappropriate physical contact or unwelcome sexual attention
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
  • Harassing photography or recording without consent
  • Sustained disruption of presentations or other events
  • Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviors

Reporting: If you experience or witness harassment, please report it immediately to any NCTE staff member, who can be identified by their name badges. All reports will be taken seriously and handled with discretion.

Consequences: Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, NCTE may take any action deemed appropriate, including warning the offender, expulsion from the event without refund, or banning from future events.

Demonstrations Policy

NCTE supports the rights of individuals to peacefully express their views. However, to ensure the safety and experience of all attendees, the following guidelines apply to demonstrations at convention venues:

  • Permitted Areas: Demonstrations must take place in designated public areas outside the convention venue. Demonstrations inside the venue or in areas that disrupt programming are not permitted.
  • Non-Disruptive: Demonstrations must not interfere with presentations, sessions, or other convention activities. Participants must maintain orderly conduct and respect the rights of others.
  • Safety First: Any demonstration that poses a safety risk or violates venue policies, local ordinances, or laws will be immediately stopped by venue security or law enforcement.
  • NCTE Neutrality: The presence of demonstrations does not imply NCTE endorsement of any particular viewpoint. NCTE remains neutral on issues not directly related to its mission and core values.

Questions about demonstration policies should be directed to NCTE staff in advance of the convention.

Non-Solicitation and Non-Distribution Policy

To maintain a professional environment focused on education and networking, NCTE enforces the following policies regarding solicitation and distribution of materials:

  • Exhibitor Exclusive Rights: Only registered exhibitors and sponsors are permitted to distribute promotional materials, conduct sales activities, or solicit attendees within the convention venue.
  • No Unauthorized Solicitation: Attendees, presenters, and other non-exhibitor participants may not engage in commercial solicitation or distribute promotional materials in convention spaces, including session rooms, hallways, and common areas.
  • Distribution Areas: Approved exhibitors may distribute materials only in designated exhibit areas. Materials left in session rooms, on tables, or in other unauthorized locations will be removed.
  • Exception for Educational Materials: Presenters may distribute handouts or resources directly related to their sessions. These materials must be educational in nature and not primarily promotional.
  • Non-Commercial Networking: Personal networking and the exchange of business cards for professional purposes are encouraged and permitted throughout the venue.

Violations of this policy may result in removal from the convention. For information about exhibitor opportunities, please contact the NCTE Events Team.

Exhibitor Application Policy

Organizations interested in exhibiting at the NCTE Annual Convention must submit an application for approval. NCTE reserves the right to accept or decline any exhibitor application based on the following criteria:

  • Alignment with Mission: Exhibitor products, services, or organizational missions should align with NCTE’s commitment to advancing literacy education and supporting English language arts educators.
  • Educational Relevance: Priority is given to exhibitors offering products, services, or resources with clear educational value for NCTE members and attendees.
  • Professional Standards: Exhibitors must maintain professional standards in their booth design, promotional materials, and interactions with attendees.
  • Contract Compliance: Accepted exhibitors must sign and comply with NCTE’s exhibitor contract, which includes guidelines for booth setup, dismantling, conduct, and liability.
  • Payment Requirements: Full payment of exhibitor fees is required by the stated deadline to secure booth space.

NCTE reserves the right to relocate exhibitors if necessary and to remove any exhibitor whose conduct or materials violate convention policies or create a disruption.

Use of Multimedia Policy

To protect intellectual property rights and maintain a professional environment, the following policies apply to photography, video recording, and audio recording at NCTE events:

  • Session Recording: Audio or video recording of sessions is prohibited unless explicitly permitted by the presenter. Attendees must request permission before recording any content.
  • Photography: Casual photography for personal use is generally permitted in public convention spaces. However, attendees should respect the privacy of others and refrain from taking photographs if someone objects.
  • Commercial Use: Any photography, video, or audio recording for commercial purposes requires advance written permission from NCTE.
  • Social Media: Attendees are welcome to share their experiences on social media. When posting about sessions, please be respectful of presenters’ intellectual property and avoid sharing extensive content without permission.
  • NCTE Documentation: NCTE may photograph, record, or livestream portions of the convention for promotional, educational, or archival purposes. By attending, participants consent to potentially being included in such documentation.
  • Exhibitor Guidelines: Exhibitors must follow the same multimedia policies and may not photograph or record attendees without their consent.

Violations of this policy may result in deletion of unauthorized content and removal from the convention.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of all convention attendees, staff, and participants is NCTE’s top priority. The following policies and procedures are in place:

  • Health Guidelines: NCTE follows current public health guidance from the CDC and local health authorities. Attendees should stay home if they are feeling ill or have tested positive for contagious illnesses.
  • Accessibility: NCTE is committed to making the convention accessible to all attendees. If you require accommodations, please contact NCTE in advance at accessibility@ncte.org.
  • Emergency Procedures: In case of emergency, follow instructions from venue staff and NCTE personnel. Emergency exits are clearly marked throughout the venue.
  • Medical Assistance: First aid stations are available at the convention venue. For serious medical emergencies, dial 911 or notify the nearest staff member immediately.
  • Food Allergies: While NCTE works with caterers to accommodate common dietary restrictions, attendees with severe food allergies should take appropriate precautions and inform catering staff of their needs.
  • Venue Security: All attendees must wear their convention badges at all times. Venue security and NCTE staff may request to see badges for entry to convention spaces.

For questions or concerns about health and safety policies, please contact the NCTE convention team.

Speaker Policy

NCTE values the contributions of all presenters and has established the following guidelines to ensure equitable opportunities and high-quality programming:

  • Session Limit: Individual presenters are limited to presenting in a maximum of three (3) sessions at the convention. This includes both solo and collaborative presentations.
  • Presentation Quality: Presenters are expected to deliver well-prepared, engaging sessions that provide value to attendees. Sessions should be interactive when appropriate and allow time for questions and discussion.
  • Time Management: Presenters must adhere to their allotted time slots. Sessions that run significantly over time may be concluded by session monitors to respect the schedule.
  • Original Content: Presentations should feature original work, ideas, or research. Presenters must properly credit and cite any work that is not their own.
  • No Commercial Pitches: While presenters may mention relevant products or services in context, sessions should not be primarily promotional or sales-focused.
  • Handouts and Resources: Presenters are encouraged to provide handouts, resource lists, or access to digital materials to enhance the value of their sessions.
  • Presentation Agreement: Accepted presenters must agree to NCTE’s presenter terms and conditions, which include commitments regarding content quality, professional conduct, and session logistics.

Presenters who fail to comply with these policies may be excluded from future NCTE conventions.

Online Events Policy

NCTE may offer virtual or hybrid components as part of the Annual Convention experience. The following policies apply to online events and presentations:

  • Advance Notice Required: Virtual sessions must be scheduled and announced at least six (6) weeks before the convention to allow adequate time for promotion and technical setup.
  • Technical Requirements: Presenters of virtual sessions must have reliable internet connectivity, appropriate audio/video equipment, and familiarity with the designated virtual platform.
  • Platform Training: NCTE will provide training and technical support for presenters using virtual platforms. Presenters are expected to participate in any required orientation sessions.
  • Recording and Access: Virtual sessions may be recorded by NCTE for later viewing by registered attendees. Presenters will be notified if their session will be recorded.
  • Engagement Expectations: Virtual presenters should employ engagement strategies appropriate for online audiences, including interactive elements, polls, chat participation, and Q&A opportunities.
  • Code of Conduct Applies: All NCTE policies, including the Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy, apply to virtual events. Participants must maintain professional behavior in chat, video, and other online interactions.
  • Copyright and Sharing: The same intellectual property and multimedia policies that apply to in-person sessions also apply to virtual presentations.

For technical support or questions about virtual sessions, contact the NCTE Events Team.

Questions? If you have questions about any of these policies or need clarification, please contact us at NCTEevents@ncte.org or call 1-877-369-6283.