We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the 2025 Literacy Texas Annual Conference!
This page has info to help you plan your time, get answers to your questions, and to make sure you have all the details you need to optimize your conference attendance.
Use the quick links below to find what you want to know, or simply scroll down the page.
Attendee info quick links
Click on any quick link below to go to more information about that topic.
- Conference Basics – dates, times, location
- Checking In – for both the hotel and the conference
- Scholarship & Grant Expectations – make sure you stay eligible!
- Hotel Information – don’t miss our special group rate
- VIP Reception – you’re invited for light bites and our legendary photobooth
- Exhibitor Lightning Rounds – a fun way to learn more about products and services
- Meals – what’s covered in your ticket; arrangements for food restrictions
- San Marcos Deals – get the pass for special discounts
- Conference Breakouts & Speakers – plan your personal schedule
- Professional Development Records – tracking your PD
- Prizes – two opportunities to win!
- Volunteers
- Conference Program & App – find everything you need online
- Conference T-Shirts – special pre-order discount
- Heat, Cold, Hydration – oh my! Don’t forget your sweater!
Conference Basics
DATES
Pre-conference (separate ticket required to attend):
Monday, August 4, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Main conference (included in general registration):
Optional VIP Reception: Monday, August 4, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Day 1: Tuesday, August 5, 8:30 AM – 4:10 PM
Day 2: Wednesday, August 6, 8:30 AM – 3:25 PM
LOCATION
Embassy Suites, 1001 E McCarty Lane, San Marcos, TX 78666
INFORMATION SHORTCUT
Bookmark literacytexas.org/conference – you’ll be able to find all the information you need here online.
Checking In
Please plan to arrive on Monday, August 4 – both conference and hotel check-in will open at 4:00 PM.
Hotel check-in and conference check-in will be two separate processes.
We recommend that you check into the hotel first, take your bags to your room, then come downstairs again to the Literacy Texas check-in table. You’ll pick up your conference bag and nametag, your t-shirt if you pre-ordered one (see below), and we’ll have folks on hand to help you install the conference app, if you haven’t already done that.
Scholarship & Grant Expectations
Literacy Texas has three simple expectations of each person accepting financial assistance (either a scholarship or a grant) to attend the conference:
- Attend the main conference on August 5 & 6 (completing at least 75% of sessions);
- Complete the 2025 Annual Survey; and
- Complete the post-conference survey.
Please take care to fulfill all three conditions, as they’re part of the agreement you enter into when you accept financial assistance for the conference, and will affect your eligibility.
The 2025 Annual Survey will be open between March 1 and July 16, 2025.
The 2025 post-conference survey will be emailed to each attendee after the conference.
Hotel
Hotel rooms at the special conference rate can be finalized here while space remains.
We hope you plan to arrive Monday so you can attend the VIP Reception in the evening!
VIP Reception
You’re invited to the Conference VIP Reception on Monday, August 4, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
We really hope you’ll join us! We’ll be serving light bites and themed drinks, and it will be a chance to take your first look around the exhibitor booths.
Our photobooth is back (thanks Data Recognition Corporation!), it’s a relaxing and casual time – and of course, it’s included in your conference registration, so no extra cost to you.
Exhibitor Lightning Rounds
The popular Exhibitor Lightning Rounds are back in 2025!
HOW IT WORKS:
Join us in the Exhibitor Hall at 4:20 PM on Day 1 (Tuesday, August 5).
Over a 30-minute session, exhibitors will present three times to small groups of conference attendees. You’ll choose which three presentations to attend, and your participation in each presentation is rewarded with a chance to win door prizes.
Prizes will be drawn after the session ends – go back the next day to check if you’re a winner! Winners’ names will be displayed at the exhibitor booth so you can claim your prize.
Meals
Your conference registration includes:
- Breakfast on Day 1 (if staying at the Embassy): Tuesday, August 5, 6:00 AM – 8:30 AM
- Lunch on Day 1: Tuesday, August 5, 12:25 PM – 1:35 PM
- Breakfast on Day 2 (if staying at the Embassy): Wednesday, August 6, 6:00 AM – 8:30 AM
- Lunch on Day 2: Wednesday, August 6: 11:35 AM – 12:50 PM
Please make sure you’ve communicated clearly with us about any food restrictions or allergies. Questions about this are included in the registration process.
In the days before the conference, we’ll be in touch with anyone who let us know about food needs to let you know about arrangements at the hotel.
You’ll need to make your own arrangements for dinner on Day 1 (Tuesday) – make plans ahead of time by using the Visit San Marcos website: visitsanmarcos.com/restaurants
San Marcos Deals
Visit San Marcos offers a free pass to help you make the most of your stay, with exclusive deals at local restaurants and other businesses.
Conference Breakouts & Speakers
You can start planning your personal conference schedule early (please note that the program will be a work in progress until June, at the earliest) –
Browse breakout sessions here: literacytexas.org/breakouts
Read about presenters and speakers here: literacytexas.org/presenters
Find the program and schedule here: literacytexas.org/program
Each breakout session will have its own webpage here on the Literacy Texas website. For your convenience, any materials the presenter has to share – PPT slides, handouts, articles, other – will be linked from that session’s webpage.
The conference app will be available about a week ahead of the conference and information about it is elsewhere on this page.
Professional Development Records
We’ll use the conference app to track attendance in conference sessions.
Make sure you have the app installed so that you can check into each session!
Literacy Texas will send PD certificates via email in the weeks following the conference.
Prizes
As in previous years, you’ll have the chance to win prizes at Exhibitor Lightning Rounds on Tuesday afternoon, and like the last couple years, there’ll be special prizes open to people who are present at the very end of the conference. Stay to the end on Day 2 to be in the running!
Volunteers
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Conference Program & App
Instead of a printed program, this year we’ll have a program available via PDF reader online. It will be linked here when it’s ready.
We’ll also have a conference app. Get reminders, chat with others, easily share info and more, all in the app! The app will be available around a week out from the start of the conference.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We’ll track session attendance for PD records via the app. So while we recommend everyone use the app, if you need a PD certificate at the end of the conference, using the app will be essential.
Conference T-Shirts
2025 Literacy Texas Conference T-shirt – currently at a special pre-conference price!
Port & Company Core Blend Tee:
- 5.5-ounce, 50/50 cotton/poly
- Made with up to 5% recycled polyester from plastic bottles
- 1×1 rib knit collar
- Shoulder to shoulder back neck tape
Pre-conference price: $18 + tax
NOTE: You’ll be able to pick up your pre-ordered t-shirt at conference check-in – your shirt will NOT be mailed to you.
The same t-shirts on sale at the conference will be $25 – save money and buy now!
T-SHIRT SIZING
Heat, Cold, Hydration… oh my!
One final conference tip – bring a water bottle, plus a scarf, shawl, or sweater!
There’ll be refreshments provided throughout – but having water with you is always a good idea.
And whatever we do with the room temperature, a few people always tell us they’re cold – so please think layers to keep yourself comfortable!
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Checked/updated 6/4/2025
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