1. Personal Information & Privacy

By registering, you consent to Education Commission of the States (“ECS”) and its contractors or agents collecting, storing, and using your personally identifiable information (“PII”) for official purposes associated with [Event Title], including but not limited to creating attendance records, producing name badges and materials, processing registration payments, making hotel reservations, ensuring participant safety, managing event logistics, and facilitating networking opportunities through attendee lists shared with participants and ECS partners.

Some of your personal information may be provided to third parties, including but not limited to event sponsors, for purposes directly related to the event. ECS employs reasonable security measures to protect your information, including encryption, access controls, firewalls, and other industry-standard processes. ECS treats attendee information confidentially and does not release registration or invitation lists to outside third parties except as required by law or legal process. Please note that no security system is completely infallible and no system is impervious to unauthorized or malicious intrusion.

By registering, you grant permission to ECS to include your name and relevant professional details on the attendee networking list distributed to fellow participants and sponsors for the purpose of facilitating meaningful connections. If you have questions or concerns regarding the use of your personal information, please contact cdennis@ecs.org prior to the event.

2. Photography & Media

You grant permission to Education Commission of the States (“ECS”) and its contractors or agents to (i) record your image, likeness, and/or voice on a photographic, video, audio, digital, electronic, or any other medium; (ii) use, reproduce, modify, exhibit, and/or distribute any such recording, in whole or in part, in any manner or medium now known or hereafter developed — including without limitation print publications, digital platforms, social media, and the internet — for any purpose ECS may deem appropriate, including without limitation promotional, educational, and archival efforts; and (iii) use your name and biographical material in connection with any such recordings or uses.

You understand and agree that your image may be edited, copied, exhibited, published, or distributed and you waive the right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein your likeness appears. You understand that ECS will be the owner of all such recordings and uses. You additionally waive any right to royalties or compensation arising from or related to the use of your image or recording. There is no time limit on the validity of this release, nor is there any geographic limitation on where these materials may be distributed.

If you choose to share images or recordings from the event, you agree to give appropriate credit to ECS as the source.

3. Safety & Liability

By participating in 2026 National Forum on Education Policy, you may be exposed to certain dangers, risks, or hazards, including but not limited to contracting communicable diseases, natural disasters, terrorism events, and other unforeseen circumstances. You agree to assume the full risk, including risk which is not specifically foreseeable, of any injuries, including death, damages, or loss, regardless of severity, which you may sustain as a result of participating in any and all activities connected with or associated with the event.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Education Commission of the States (“ECS”) and its officers, directors, employees, agents, suppliers, vendors, contractors, and representatives from and against any and all demands, claims, fines, investigations, penalties, damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs) relating to your failure to comply with these terms and your participation in [Event Title], including but not limited to any claims arising in any manner out of contracting COVID-19 or any similar illness.

Further, for yourself and your heirs, personal representatives, and assigns, you hereby release, relinquish, and discharge Education Commission of the States and its predecessors, successors, assigns, legal representatives, and its former, present, and future agents, officers, directors, and employees from any liability resulting from the negligence of ECS or any of the foregoing parties.

4. Registration Policies

Cancellations & Refunds

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to cdennis@ecs.org. Phone cancellations are not accepted. The following refund schedule applies:

No-shows are nonrefundable. Exception requests should be submitted in writing to cdennis@ecs.org and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of ECS. Please note that canceling your registration does not automatically cancel your hotel or travel reservations. You are responsible for managing those separately.

Transfers & Substitutions

Paid registrations are transferable with prior written approval. Please submit your substitution request to cdennis@ecs.org prior to the event.

Payment

Registration fees are due at the time of registration. Attendees with outstanding balances will be required to provide payment by credit card at check-in. If paying by check or purchase order, please include your registration confirmation number with your payment and mail to:

Education Commission of the States
Attn: 2026 National Forum on Education Policy
P.O. Box 33674, Northglenn, CO 80233

Age Requirements

Guests under the age of 18, including infants, are not permitted in any conference sessions or receptions due to safety considerations, audio recording, and maintaining an appropriate learning environment.

Accessibility

ECS and the host venue comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). If you require special accommodations or an auxiliary aid related to a disability, please notify Caitlin Dennis at cdennis@ecs.org no later than 21 days prior to the start of 2026 National Forum on Education Policy.

5. Guest Policy

Guests must be registered to participate in any part of the 2026 National Forum on Education Policy. Each registrant is responsible for their guest's conduct throughout the duration of the event. Attendees and guests must be 18 years of age or older, and are subject to all applicable terms.

6. Conference Expectations

As a registered attendee, you are expected to maintain professional conduct:

• Smart casual attire is expected throughout all conference events
• Your name badge is required for access to all sessions and events
• Service animals as defined by the ADA are welcome

8. Professional Conduct Standards

Unacceptable Behavior

• Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any form
• Physical or verbal abuse of any event participant
• Disruptive interruption of sessions or programming

Thank you for reviewing these policies in full.