On Aug. 18, 2025, a Louisiana Department of Education event staff member outlined exhibitor rules, deadlines and logistics for the Education Expo at the 2026 Teacher Leader Summit, scheduled for May 26–28 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

The Expo — described by the presenter as "more than just an exhibit hall" — will run across the full summit and has been extended through Thursday, May 28, at no additional charge to vendors; the extended hours on Thursday are 8 a.m. to noon, with teardown from noon to 4 p.m. Exhibitors must be fully set up and ready by 8 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26. Lunch will be provided for up to two booth attendants each day.

The presenter said exhibitors should staff booths during all expo hours and that each paid booth includes registration for two attendants. Additional attendants cost $249 each. Organizations that are accepted both as exhibitors and as speakers will receive four complimentary registrations total (two included with the booth and two for presenters). The webinar also described optional add-ons including an Innovation Playground and a Classroom Lab for interactive demonstrations; registering for both covers four people for access to those spaces.

Applications open Aug. 18, 2025, and are due by Dec. 5, 2025. The event team will notify applicants of approval by Dec. 19, 2025. Booth fees must be paid in full by March 2, 2026; March 2 is also the last day to cancel for a full refund, the presenter said.

Exhibitor sponsorships are available without set tiers; sponsors will be recognized in the Cvent app during the opening session and on signage at the convention center. The presenter said sponsors help underwrite meals, snacks and beverages for attendees and that exhibitors can indicate sponsorship interest on the application.

On marketing and outreach, the presenter recommended giveaways or interactive elements and reminded vendors that outside food or drink cannot be brought into the Expo. Vendors who wish to provide food were told they can be connected with Sodexo, the convention center food vendor. Off-site evening networking events may be held May 26 or May 27 from 5–7 p.m.; events must be approved to be promoted in the Cvent app.

Lead capture and exhibitor management will use Cvent: the presenter said exhibitors can buy lead-capture licenses in single or bundle options or use an API for external systems. After approval, vendors will access an exhibitor portal to register, pay, manage their booth profile and add lead-capture licenses; links to the portal and supporting materials will be posted on the Teacher Leader Summit landing page and the LDOE website.

The webinar noted this year’s Teacher Leader Summit is merging with the Fast Forward Convention and said Career and Technical Education institutions are being invited both as vendors and as speakers.

Information on the call for speakers will be provided in a webinar on Oct. 15, 2025 (offered at either 1 p.m. or 4 p.m.), the presenter said. Questions may be submitted in the webinar chat or via the contact provided in the presentation (ldoeventsla dot gov). The presenter closed by noting follow-up webinars and office hours will be held between now and May to help exhibitors prepare.

The session included repeated reminders that exhibitors should present only the products and services listed in their approved application and that deviations from the approved application are not allowed.