Attending your first Annual Education Conference can feel exciting and a bit overwhelming — especially with concurrent sessions, networking opportunities, and travel logistics. This tip sheet highlights what seasoned attendees wish they'd known before their first conference, so you can get ready to make the most of the 2026 Annual Education Conference (AEC) before you leave for Hollywood!
1. What are your learning objectives? Are there topics you want to learn more about or skills you want to develop? Think about your goals for the AEC to make the most of your time at the AEC.
PRO TIP: Talk to your supervisor about their expectations for you. If others are attending from your team, make a plan to divide and conquer. This will help you choose which of the many enticing panels to attend during the concurrent sessions.
2. Speaking of those concurrent sessions, read the conference brochure before you arrive — you may not have time to dig into the details once the conference is in full swing!
3. Check out the Hollywood page on the NALP website for conference details, resources, and additional information.
4. Attend the Newcomers Webinar on Wednesday, March 25 at 12 pm ET. Register in advance here.
5. Download the conference app once it is available. The app will be your virtual conference brochure, attendee list, and more!
PRO TIP: You can take notes during conference sessions directly in the app, which saves you from having to keep track of which notes go with which session.
6. Review the attendee list, which is available on the conference website, in the Logistics email, and in the conference app, and highlight the people with whom you wish to connect.
- For law firm members, this may be team members who work in other offices or CSO staff from schools where your firm recruits.
- For law school members, this may be CSO staff from other schools in your region or with whom your school collaborates or legal professionals from firms that recruit at your school.
PRO TIP: If you are the only person from your team at the AEC, consider reaching out to others — such as your conference host or members from nearby schools or firms — before the conference to make dinner plans for Tuesday and Thursday nights. Some people traveling in larger groups will already have made dinner plans for these evenings by the time they get to Florida. You can also meet others at the Newcomer's Orientation and at the Opening Reception, or the Game Night and make dinner plans from there.
PRO TIP: Join the Newcomers GroupMe to find fellow newcomers and make plans to connect during the conference.
7. Pack for comfort! You are welcome to wear business casual clothes and comfortable shoes for conference sessions, and jeans/casual clothes for downtime and social events such as the Member Celebration and Game Night. Bring workout clothes and shoes if you plan to participate in the 5K Run and Walk on Thursday, April 16 or in the morning yoga session or beach walk.
PRO TIP: Bring plenty of business cards. You will need them to exchange with people you meet (and to enter vendor prize drawings!). If you like swag, consider also bringing a collapsible tote or large bag for vendor goodies.
PRO TIP: Make an appointment at the onsite Spa if you want some self-care while at the event.
8. NALP is so much more than the AEC! Before the conference, think about how you want to be involved moving forward. Consider whether you want deeper connection with your region, a particular section, an affinity group, or NALP leadership? Learning more about how NALP operates before arriving in Florida will help you prioritize networking opportunities.
PRO TIP: Log in to NALPConnect and join some of the groups if you haven’t already.
PRO TIP: Plan to attend the short session on Getting Involved in NALP on Wednesday, April 15 at 4:00 pm to learn more about our organization.
PRO TIP: Attend your Regional Reception to meet others from your area.
9. Last but not least, watch for the Logistics email a week before the conference with important information, and be sure to read it!
PRO TIP: Print that email and any linked information you need prior to departure to have access to the information at all times.
Quick List of Top 6 Things to Do Before You Leave:
- Register for the Newcomers Webinar on March 25
- Review the conference brochure and pick your top programs
- Download the conference app
- Review the attendee list and flag contacts
- Pack business cards and comfortable shoes
- Watch for (and print) the Logistics email and linked information
Remember: everyone at the AEC was a newcomer once. Ask questions, introduce yourself, and give yourself permission to step away when you need to recharge.
See tips for during the conference
See tips for after the conference
