Frequently Asked Questions

What's the deadline to register for the conference?
There is no deadline to register for the conference; however, some preconference sessions may have capacity limits and fill prior to the start of the conference. To ensure your seat, register before the conference begins. You may register online for the conference through the last day of the conference, August 15 or onsite starting Tuesday, August 11.

Do I have to register in advance?
Advance registration online is recommended but not required. Onsite registration for attendees will be available starting on Tuesday, August 11 at 7 AM. However, we highly encourage you to register in advance.

Can I register to visit just the Exhibit Hall?
Yes. You can register for a complimentary Expo/General Session Only pass that provides you a 3-Day Exhibit Hall pass as well as access to the Welcome Reception and General Sessions on the Registration page.

What does my registration fee include?
See pricing and packages on the Registration page.

I'd like to join the IAFC to take advantage of the discounted registration rates. What do I do?
Click here to join the IAFC to take advantage of the member rate prior to completing your FRI Conference registration. Have a membership question? Contact membership@iafc.org.
 
Will I receive confirmation of my registration?
Confirmations are sent via email for all registrations. If you did not receive yours, please check your spam folders. If you cannot locate your confirmation, please email Registration Customer Support.

Will I be refunded if I have to cancel my registration?
Find full cancellation and refund details on the Registration page.

Can I transfer my registration to another member of my department/staff?
Yes, registration may be transferred to another person in your organization subject to certain conditions. Contact Registration Customer Support to transfer your registration. 

When can I make my hotel reservations?
IAFC has reserved a block of rooms at special FRI rates at the official FRI hotels. You will receive a link to make your hotel reservation as part of your registration confirmation. Find out more about the official FRI hotels on the Hotel page of the FRI website. The special FRI hotel rates are available until July 9, 2026 or until sold out, whichever occurs first. After July 9, hotel rates are at the discretion of the hotels. 

What hotels have been reserved? What are the rates?
The two co-located headquarter hotels for FRI 2026 are the Loews Kansas City and the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.  Hotel information and rates can be found on the Hotel page.

I've been contacted by a company trying to get me to book hotel rooms - is this legitimate?
Maritz is the official housing partner for FRI 2026. Only reservations made through Maritz are affiliated with FRI. Other companies will pose as a housing vendor for FRI and may contact you offering housing for your trip. They are not endorsed by or affiliated with the IAFC or FRI and entering into financial agreements with such companies can have costly consequences. When individuals book hotel accommodations through poachers or pirates, the consequences can be costly; event participants may be left without hotel rooms when they arrive at the event and incur fraudulent charges on their credit cards.

Will I receive credit for the sessions I attended?
The IAFC provides transcripts for attendees seeking educational credit hours for educational sessions attended during FRI. To receive your transcript, participants will be scanned into each session attended. It is the attendee's responsibility to ensure that they have their badge scanned upon entry to each room, including general sessions.  More information can be found on the Transcript page.

I am interested in completing a level of the Officer Development Program Leadership Development Certification Series at FRI. Do I need to register for a level in advance?
FRI full conference attendees have the opportunity to attend educations sessions affiliated with the ODP Leadership Development Certification Series courses. A full conference registrant can select the ODP LDCS option at registration to have your sessions credits transfered to Columbia Southern University. 

Selecting the transfer option and completing the six course sessions at FRI will allow you to complete the final two sessions and exam to complete your course online. An ODP LDCS course is regularly $349. The transfer option is available before FRI at a lower advanced registration rate during FRI. Rates can be found on the Registration page.

Where can I find session information?
Session information will be published within the Full Schedule as it becomes available.

Do I need to register for specific sessions?
No, all sessions are first-come, first-served. You can create an account on the FRI website to favorite (Star Symbol) sessions, presenters, fellow attendees, and events as well as build your own agenda. This account creation will also give you access to the conference mobile app.

Can I submit a presentation proposal for FRI?
FRI session programming is typically completed 7-8 months prior to the conference. IAFC's Training and Education Development (TED) Committee is responsible for setting the education program. The TED Committee uses outreach to IAFC's divisions, sections, committees, and councils to gather the best presentation recommendations that meet the needs of the entire IAFC membership. If you are interested in submitting a presentation idea for FRI, please work through your Division, Section, Committee, or Council to submit your proposal.

What are the booth rules for FRI?
Please view the Booth Rules and Regulations for information on booth height regulations, what is considered a booth violation, booth backwall height allowance, banners, balloons, smoke/fog machines and information on many other items and what is and is not allowed.
If you have any questions about the design of your booth, please contact the exhibits team at (703) 896-4830 or via email at exhibits@iafc.org 

What is included with my booth space?
Pipe and draping is only included with non-island space. Floor covering is not mandatory unless you are displaying a vehicle. Carpet, furniture, and other booth furnishings can be ordered through the Exhibitor Service Manual found on the Plan Your Exhibit page. Electric and internet is not included with your booth space but may be ordered. FRI will have free Wi-Fi. All booths receive 3 exhibitor badges per 100 square feet with 2 badges per additional 100 square feet. Read all details and costs.

How do I register my booth staff?
All booths receive 3 exhibitor badges per 100 square feet with 2 badges per additional 100 square feet.

For questions regarding exhibits, please contact Exhibitor Customer Support

Where are all of the exhibitor order forms and information located?
All vendors and forms can be found on the Plan Your Exhibit page.

Is insurance required?
Blanket liability insurance coverage is included as part of your booth fees. Exhibitors do not need to submit a certificate of insurance unless they will be utilizing an EAC (Exhibitor Appointed Contractor) in which case, either the exhibitor or the EAC will need to submit a COI for that EAC. Details for EACs can be found on the Plan Your Exhibit page.

When can I move in to set-up my booth?
View the official FRI Exhibitor Schedule.

Can I carry my booth items/products in myself?
Yes, but they must be able to be carried by hand. See POV Info on the Plan Your Exhibit page for additional services and instructions.

Is floor covering or carpeting required?
Floor covering / carpeting is not required (unless you are displaying a vehicle) and is not included with your booth. You may bring your own carpet or purchase carpet through the Exhibitor Service Manual.

Can I sell my products/service at the show?
You may sell your products and/or services at the event. You will be responsible for any applicable taxes.

I'm a member of the press - do you have press registration?
Please send all press requests to the IAFC's communications department at media@iafc.org.

When and where is the FRI 2026?
FRI 2026 is August 12 - 14 in Bartle Halls B-E of the Kansas City Convention Center (KCCC) in Kansas City, MO.

Where is the conference next year in 2027?
FRI 2027 dates and location will be announced at FRI 2026. 

Who attends FRI? 
Please find the breakdown of registrants here. 

Who are the event contacts for FRI?
Please find the event contacts here.

Is there parking available at the Kansas City Convention Center?
Parking information for the KCCC is available here.

Is translation available?
All FRI education sessions will be conducted in English. At this time, translation services are not provided.

Do I need a ticket for special events?
Tickets for the Welcome Reception are included with FRI Full Conference registration and the General Session/Expo Only pass. 

All attendees must purchase a separate ticket for other networking events.

All attendees must purchase a separate ticket for the Future Focus Breakfast.

What are the Exhibit Hall hours?
The Exhibit Hall hours are as follows:

• Wednesday, August 12 | 2:00 - 6:00 PM
• Thursday, August 13 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Are children allowed in the Exhibit Hall?
All children under the age of 16 are admitted free into FRI exhibits and must be accompanied by an adult. Children must be registered and wear appropriate credentials. No children are permitted onto the exhibit floor during move-in and move-out of exhibits. Children will not be permitted into the general session or other meetings and educational events.

Does FRI have a conference app?
Navigate FRI like a pro with the conference mobile app. Go to your device's App Store or Google Play and search for IAFC Events.

What meals are provided at the conference?
Please note food functions at FRI may require separate tickets or invitations. Following are the hospitality events at FRI 2026: New Connections & Global Friends Meet Up, Tuesday, 8/11 - Beverages and snacks. Open to FRI First-timers and international All Access attendees.
FRI Kick Off Party at KC Live!, Tuesday, 8/11 - Food & beverage provided. Open to All Access attendees and ticket holders.
Happy Hour in the Expo Hall, Wednesday, 8/12 - Beverages and snacks. Open to All Access and Discovery Pass attendees.
Health & Wellness Morning, Thursday, 8/13 - Breakfast items. Open to All Access and Discovery Pass attendees.
Future Focus Lunch, Thursday, 8/13 - Lunch. Ticket holders only.
Block Party in the Expo Hall, Thursday, 8/13 - Beverages and snacks. Open to All Access and Discovery Pass attendees.
IAFC Division Breakfasts, Friday, 8/14 - Breakfast. Open to IAFC member registrants. RSVP with your registration.

My question is not here! Who should I contact?
We're sorry we couldn't anticipate your needs. Please email us at conferences@iafc.org for assistance.