Dress Code: Business Casual

Please note that the dress code for the conference is business casual. We encourage all attendees to dress in a professional yet comfortable manner appropriate for a business setting. Thank you for helping us maintain a respectful and professional environment. When conference photos are posted, does your attire meet what you/your employer want to see at a professional event?

Concurrent Breakout Sessions – No Pre-Registration Required

National PELRA does not require pre-registration for concurrent breakout sessions. Attendees will choose which session to attend at the time each begins. Please note that all rooms have seating limits. If a session reaches capacity, you may be asked to attend an alternative session.

You can plan your sessions in advance by reviewing the conference brochure as well as downloading Guidebook once it is published and promoted. 

Conference ID Badge Requirement

All attendees, exhibitors, guests, and speakers are required to check in and wear their official conference ID badge at all times. This includes all educational sessions, social gatherings, and off-site events. Badges help conference staff and volunteers ensure proper access and attendance throughout the event. A sample badge is shown below for your reference.

Please note: Entry to any conference event may be denied at the discretion of National PELRA or its designated staff if a valid ID badge is not presented.

Angie D is back to provide professional portraits free to all attendees - do not miss this opportunity!

All photos will all be uploaded into one folder sent by email after the conference.  Attendees will be able to choose one (1)  free digital image (paid for by NPELRA),  with an option to pay for editing on that image, and an option to add additional images.

Each attendee will receive a 2026 Exhibitor Bingo card upon checking in at the conference. The simple game of Blackout is played - get every exhibitor to sign their box on your card. Turn in your completed bingo card at the registration table and a random winner will receive a free registration to the 2027 Conference.

*winner must be present to win. Drawing will occur after the Wednesday closing plenary session.

Feeling generous? Feeling fun? Buy your Foundation raffle tickets for great prizes!

Look for the National PELRA Foundation’s raffle display at the Exhibitors area at the ATC – you choose which prizes you hope to win! 

If you don’t know what it’s about, think of the raffle as your “ticket” to a brighter future in public sector labor relations! By participating, you're helping to fund the scholarships the National PELRA Foundation (a §501(c)(3) nonprofit) awards to you, the National PELRA members, and aspiring professionals interested in labor relations. These scholarships go toward graduate studies, as well as cover registration costs for National PELRA events such as the Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP) Academies and the Annual Training Conference (ATC). More information about the various scholarship opportunities will be at our table and is online at the National PELRA website at the Foundation tab.

Don’t forget to bring your cash, credit, or debit card to buy your raffle tickets! Credit and debit cards can be used with our QR code this year.

Looking forward to seeing you in Portland - enjoy the conference!

Melanie Ault, President
National PELRA Foundation

Learn more about the National PELRA Foundation, scholarship opportunities, its history, & ways to contribute.

Continuing Education Credits Information

National PELRA does not submit documentation to individual states on behalf of attendees for legal continuing education credits. However, to assist attendees in seeking credit independently, a QR code to an online form will be available at each session and embedded in the Guidebook app. Scanning the QR code will allow attendees to check in for each session online. After the conference, attendees who have checked in will receive a form document that can be used to apply for credit with their respective state agencies.

National PELRA is an approved recertification provider. SHRM and HRCI recertification codes will be emailed after the conference to confirmed attendees who checked in for the annual conference.

The conference terms and conditions as referenced in all registrations can be found on the Conference Page, and is pasted below for your convenience:

Admission to the conference requires registration. Attendance at the Pre-or-Post Conference sessions require additional registration and are not included in the Conference fee. Unless otherwise negotiated with National PELRA ('National'), all attendees are required to register and make payment to attend the 2026 Charlotte Conference ('Conference').  Failure to make payment prior to the Conference, or provide proof of pending payment such as an official purchase order, may result in denied access to the Conference. 

Conference registration is not limited to registered members of National. Attendance is restricted and only available to individuals that would meet the criteria for National membership, whether a membership is obtained. Any attendee or registrant that is determined to not meet membership eligibility may be denied entrance or have their registration canceled by National at its sole and absolute discretion. A refund will be provided, if applicable. Paid conference guests are permitted to attend social events for which they have registered so long as their professional association(s) and or activities do conflict with the Conference and association goals and mission to support public employers. Guest registrations are only available to guests who are accompanying a Conference attendee.  

Conference ID badges are required to gain access and attend all Conference functions. Failure to possess your ID badge at any given time may result in denied access to an event or removal from the grounds at the discretion of National. National may take photos or videos of any and all Conference events, which make include conference attendees in the media.  By registering for the Conference, you provide your consent to be included in Conference photos and videos for future marketing materials, including materials which may be published by National, its sponsors, speakers, and exhibitors.

Refunds shall incur a minimum $100 fee when made after December 1, 2025. This cancelation fee will increase based on financial commitments National has made to the hotel and conference center and related vendors based on your registration. No refund or future credit is provided for cancelations made after March 13, 2026. The inability to attend due to personal, business, or medical conflicts shall not constitute as cause for cancelation or refunds, provided, however, that any exigent circumstances shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and addressed after the Conference closes. Registration may be transferred to another member of the same organization to avoid cancelation fees and canceled registration, provided National is notified in writing no later than April 3, 2026. New attendee shall pay the difference in member/non-member registration, if any, immediately to complete the transfer process.

National PELRA has managed the following type of situations at recent conferences - true stories.

• So I have a hotel reservation and flew here from across the country...but it does not look like my staff registered me for the conference. What can we do?
• I booked the hotel for the extra night because I wanted to go to the post-conference academy session. Are you sure no one registered me to attend?
• We needed to register for the pre-conference sessions - I cannot walk-in because I now find it interesting? 
• Hey...tonight is the conference celebration party, can I now buy a guest pass?  My guest is here with me and decided this morning they want to attend...

Each situation above is only an example of "it happens" and National PELRA staff will try to accommodate attendees as best as possible. Due to contractual obligations, there may be scenarios that a request is denied or charged a significantly different rate. Late accommodations may require immediate payment to be admitted/permitted to attend. 

This special designation is reserved for attendees experiencing the National conference for the first time. A separate Sunday evening reception will welcome first-time attendees before the official conference opening. A simple text designation will appear on badges for those attending their first conference in 2026 Charlotte. We are thrilled you are joining us!

Note: This is based on the 2025 Portland Schedule

Sunday

Most attendees will be arriving today—unless you came early to explore the city or signed up for a pre-conference session (look at you, overachiever). First things first: check into your hotel room, then head to the Lower Level anytime after 11:00 AM to register for the conference and pick up your conference badge. You’ll need it to access all conference events, so don’t skip this step.

Once you’re settled, fire up the digital Guidebook app to check out the conference schedule and map out your sessions. Good news: none of the concurrent sessions require pre-registration. Better news: you already downloaded the app... right?

If this is your first time at the conference, you’re in good company—we’ve got a sizable group of newcomers. At 4:45 PM, there’s a special First-Timers event just for you. Stick around afterward, because at 4:45 PM our Title Sponsors, TrueComp and Workday, are kicking off a happy hour on the Lower Level. It’s a great time to start filling out your Exhibitor Bingo card and connect with our awesome sponsors.

We’ll wrap up the day in style with the 2025 Portland Conference Welcome Reception at 5:30 PM, just 1.5 quick blocks away at The Porter Hotel. Come toast to a great week ahead—whether you're reconnecting with old friends or meeting new faces for the first time. ID Badges required - be sure to bring with you!

Monday

If you got in late and missed Sunday check-in—no worries, we’ve got you covered. Registration opens bright and early at 7:30 AM, just in time to grab a full buffet breakfast. Fuel up with some solid nourishment and a dose of West Coast caffeine—you just might need it if you stayed out past the Sunday welcome reception. 

We’ll kick things off with opening remarks from the National PELRA President of the Board of Directors, followed by our conference keynote speaker.

Morning sessions offer a variety of topics designed by the Planning Committee to match a wide range of interests and experience levels. Feel free to attend whichever session speaks to you—but fair warning, some sessions could fill up fast. That’s why you downloaded the Guidebook app and know your other choices, right? (Right.)

Midday, we pause for the Awards Luncheon. Even if you are new or not on the receiving end of an award, you are absolutely invited—lunch is included for all registered attendees. And do not get too picky, there are 4 buffet lines and they are all same and just as tasty. 

In the afternoon, we shift gears with 2.5-hour in-depth workshop sessions. There are four options to choose from—this isn’t speed dating, so pick one and commit. You’ll have time to really dig in.

We’ll end the day with a casual networking social—a great opportunity to catch up with peers before heading out to explore Portland’s dining scene. Monday night is a popular one for chapter and vendor meetups, so find your crew and enjoy the evening!

Tuesday

If it’s starting to feel a little like Groundhog Day—but in the best way possible—that’s because you’re kicking things off with another excellent breakfast buffet before diving into the morning plenary session.

Tuesday’s plenary might hit a little closer to home, as it features real data from our own membership on current trends. (Spoiler: you might recognize yourself in the numbers.)

Morning and afternoon concurrent sessions continue, offering plenty of variety to match your interests and experience. Pro tip: did you notice that the front rows have power outlets for your devices. That’s right—extra motivation to be a front-row kind of person.

Lunch is open to all attendees and includes brief remarks from our title sponsors and the National PELRA Foundation. If you're looking to grow your skills or pursue education in labor relations or HR, pay attention—these lunchtime chats might just shape your next big professional move.

Do not miss the closing plenary - we all keep hearing and using (misusing?) A.I. at our workplace. Walkaway with an enlightened session on practical, effective use of A.I. with your everyday demands. 

We’ll wrap up Tuesday with a short 0.5-mile walk to Punch Bowl Social. After two days of sitting, a little movement (and a lot of fun) is well-earned. leave those stressors from the office behind for a moment. It’s your chance to relax, reconnect, and enjoy a few joyful hours with fellow attendees. Just don’t forget your conference ID badge—you’ll need it to get in!

Wednesday

Time to get down to business—literally. We will kick off the final day of the conference with the annual National PELRA Business Meeting, open to all attendees. It’s your chance to hear updates, get involved, and help bring this incredible week toward a strong finish.

After the meeting, we’ll move into the day’s only plenary session, followed by one last round of morning concurrent sessions. Soak it in—this is your final chance to grab some insights before we wrap.

Lunch today is a 90-minute window to finally try that restaurant or food truck you couldn’t decide on Monday. Lunch is on your own, but don’t let that turn into a siesta or a disappearing act—we’re not done yet.

Come back ready for the final afternoon sessions—and here’s a little extra motivation: after the last session, we’ll be drawing a random winner for a free registration to the 2026 Conference in Charlotte. How do you get in the running? Easy. Just complete your Exhibitor Bingo card (remember that thing from registration?) and you’re entered.

What a week. Thanks for making it one to remember. Safe travels—and we’ll see you in Charlotte!