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TXLA.org
TLA 2026

Conference FAQs

A-Z Frequently Asked Questions
ADA: The Texas Library Association is committed to ensuring accessibility for all individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special accommodations to participate, please complete this form by March 1, 2026.

AUTHORS AREA: Meet your favorite authors and get autographs in the Authors Area at the TLA Exhibit Hall. Attendees may bring up to three items per author, per visit. Books will also be available for purchase at the TLA bookstore. Signing schedules will be posted on our online conference program.

BADGES: Conference attendees will receive an email with QR code to scan on-site in the registration area to print their badge. Don’t have the QR code? Check in at the registration counter. Badges cannot be printed in advance. Speakers go to Speaker Counter for their badges.

Badges are required for access to all TLA meeting rooms, sessions, ticketed events, and the exhibit hall.

CANCELLATION & TRANSFERS POLICY
Cancellations received in writing (email only) on or before March 12, 2026, will receive a refund, less a 20% administrative fee. Refunds will be processed within 60 days following the conclusion of the conference. No phone requests will be accepted.

Registrations, including meal events, made after March 12, 2026, are non-refundable. Exhibits Only registrations are non-refundable.

TLA reserves the right to cancel all or part of this event. If TLA cancels, registrations will be transferred to a comparable virtual or in-person event(s) of equal or greater value within the 2026 calendar year. TLA is not responsible for any indirect, special, or consequential damages (including transportation, lodging, or meal costs) incurred by the registrant.

Registrations are not refundable after March 12, 2026, for any reason, including but not limited to no-shows, illness, travel-related problems, loss of employment, or duplicate purchases. Event operating hours, guests, and speakers are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Transfers: Substitutions of registrations to another individual must be made in writing (by email) by March 25, 2026, to TLA. No phone requests will be accepted. Ticketed meal events are not transferable. The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for all financial obligations (any balance due) associated with that substitution.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CREDIT: TLA is utilizing a self-reporting form for event attendees to claim professional development education (CPE) credit.

The Texas Library Association is an approved provider of professional development by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) and the Texas State Library & Archives Commission in the state of Texas. The individual is responsible for working with their employer to determine if sessions meet their professional development needs. Learn more.

FIRST AID/EMT Services: In case of an emergency, call 911. For minor first aid needs, an Emergency Medical Technician will be onsite, on Level 1, across from the Hall E entrance and registration area.

FOOD: There will be food and drinks available in the concession area in the exhibit hall as well are several restaurants within walking distance of the convention center. If you have severe or life threatening food allergies, please complete this form to let us know before you arrive in Houston.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS: For the best rate, access to ride share credits, and in support TLA’s efforts to secure discounted rates in future years, book your room through our official hotel provider, onPeak.

INTERNET ACCESS: Wi-Fi is available in the common areas of the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Please note you will be required to create an account with Smart City to use the free network, and bandwidth is very limited (video calls, downloading or uploading files may not be supported).

LOST AND FOUND: Located at the Information Booth in the registration area.

MAPS: Maps, directions and transportation information for the George R Brown Convention Center can be found here.

MEAL FUNCTIONS: Tickets for all conference meal functions must be purchased online by March 12, 2026; they will not be sold onsite. Conference registration is not required to attend these events; tickets are not transferable.

NOTICE OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Photos and videos may be taken during the TLA 2026 Annual Conference by organizers, sponsors, speakers, or authorized photographers. These images help us capture and share the spirit of the conference, highlight the day’s events, and promote future TLA programs. Images may be used in TLA promotional materials, online, or in print. By attending, you grant implied permission for such use. No compensation will be provided; ownership remains with the photographer.

PARKING: There are several parking options just outside of the convention campus. Information about parking rates and locations can be found here.

SAFETY: Report damage to or theft of your personal property or vehicle to the Information Counter. The Texas Library Association adheres to the George R. Brown Convention Center handgun policy, in accordance with state and local laws: Possession of Firearms is forbidden in the Facility with the exception of the following: (i) licensed peace officers and licensed honorably retired peace officers, (ii) exhibitors and patrons during duly licensed gun shows and (iii) individuals licensed by the State of Texas to carry concealed handguns.

SCOOTERS: Attendees can book a scooter online through Scootaround. Advance booking is recommended to ensure availability.

SPEAKERS: Opinions expressed in sessions at the TLA 2026 Conference are those of the presenters and are not necessarily endorsed by TLA.

TRANSPORTATION: Back by popular demand, TLA is going green and offering Lyft credits to attendees staying more than ½ mile away from the convention center. Please note only attendees registered for conference and booked through OnPeak’s housing website before March 6, 2026, will be eligible for Lyft pass credits from TLA.

VOLUNTEER COUNTER: Located in Lobby DE of the George R. Brown Convention Center on the first floor near the entrance across from the Hilton Americas hotel. Attendees who have registered as volunteers check in there, or who are interested in volunteering, should inquire about open volunteer positions there.

Registration
General Registration includes three days of educational programs, access to the Exhibit Hall, three General Sessions and the Exhibit Hall Grand Opening. Meals are not included.
Yes, you can register multiple people from your organization at once if everyone have the same “Primary Affiliation” or Institution. On the checkout screen there will be a button that says “Add Another Registration.” If you are the person responsible for registering a group of attendees, email TLA to be set up as the Company Manager for easier management of group registrations.
You can register online with an electronic check or credit card payment only. Paper checks must be mailed with the mail-in registration form available on the conference registration page. Mail-in registration must be postmarked by March 12, 2026.
You will receive an official receipt upon payment. To find a copy of your order, login to your TLA account and click on “My Orders” or “My Registrations” to view a copy of your registrations. If you were part of a group order, you will be on a group receipt.
Yes, early bird rates are available through January 31. Visit the registration page for more information.
Online registration requires payment with a credit card or electronic check. We accept mailed registrations with checks or money orders. We do not accept purchase orders as payment. A purchase order can be used to request an invoice. Invoices can be paid with a credit card online or with a check mailed to the address on the invoice.
Yes, you can! It is never too late to join TLA. Join online (quickest option) or you can print the PDF and mail in the form. Either way, you will then be eligible for the TLA member rate when you register for the conference.
Library employees who are TLA general members should register as general members. Employment status overrides student status. Full-time students who are TLA student members are eligible for the student rate.
No, you will not need their passwords. You will need their names and email addresses. Each registrant must have the same “Primary Affiliation,” or Institution listed on their TLA profile. To add them to your company roster you will need their name and email address.
You will receive an order confirmation email as soon as TLA has fully processed your registration. Please ensure that you include a unique, valid email address along with your registration, to ensure you receive this notification. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks from the time the registration and payment are mailed to the time you receive your emailed confirmation.

Exhibits Only passes are only available through  online registration.

You can edit your existing registration by logging into your TLA account (use the same email address you were registered with). Click on “My Registrations” on the left-hand side of the navigation menu. Then click the “Edit” button next to your current registration. You can add the ticketed events from your existing registration and pay with a credit card or saved bank account. If you need to pay for your events before your district’s payment has been processed, you can register only for the ticketed events, without choosing the full week’s conference pass and process the payment online for just the ticketed event.
There are many benefits of joining TLA, and if you are attending the conference it just makes financial sense. The average membership dues plus conference registration at the member rate combined is often less than paying the non-member conference registration rate.