Frequently Asked Questions

The 2027 SHAPE America National Convention & Expo will take place April 7-10, 2027, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The event includes an optional pre-convention day on Wednesday, April 7, followed by three full days of educational programming, networking, and Expo Hall experiences from April 8-10.

Learn more about the convention experience, schedule, and key dates:

• View Convention Overview
• View Schedule-at-a-Glance
• Explore Charlotte

The SHAPE America National Convention & Expo attracts more than 2,100 health and physical education professionals from across the United States, including K-12 educators, higher education faculty, administrators, researchers, students, and industry partners.

Attendees come to discover new products and services, participate in professional learning, explore innovative solutions, connect with peers, and engage with organizations that support health and physical education.

View Audience Demographics & Attendee Profile

Badge registration and housing for the 2027 SHAPE America National Convention & Expo will open in mid-October 2026. Please refer to the Registration & Housing section of the Service Center for further details.

PLEASE NOTE: Badge Registration & Housing are handled exclusively through SHAPE America. Calls and/or emails from other companies should not be accepted. Please report any incidences to exhibits@shapeamerica.org.

The number of staff badge registrations included with your exhibit booth varies based on the type of booth you have selected. Please refer to the chart below for quantities.

Expo Hall Only Staff Badges

Full Convention Staff Badge Registrations

*All exhibitors are eligible to purchase up to three (3) Full Convention staff badge registrations at a 25% discount off the non-member registration rate. Badges are strictly intended for staff personnel who will be helping to facilitate the build-out and day-to-day operation of the exhibit booth. Additional Full Convention registrations may be purchased at the applicable full rate for non-members at the time of registration.

The number of staff badge registrations included with your sponsorship varies based on your overall sponsorship level. Please refer to the chart below for quantities.

Full Convention Staff Badge Registrations

In addition to the included badge registrations, all sponsors (including Supporter Sponsors) are eligible to purchase up to three (3) additional Full Convention staff badge registrations at a 25% discount off the non-member registration rate. Badges are strictly intended for staff personnel who will be helping to facilitate on-site sponsor activations throughout the event. If additional Full Convention registrations beyond those included and at the discounted rate, may be purchased at the applicable full rate for non-members at the time of registration.

SHAPE America offers several exhibit participation options designed to meet different organizational goals, budgets, and exhibit strategies. Rates vary based on participation type, exhibit size, and registration date.

Additional discounts are available for organizations reserving larger exhibit footprints through multiple 10' x 10' booth purchases.

For Corporate Entities

• Traditional Exhibit Space: Customizable 10' x 10' exhibit booths for companies and organizations seeking a traditional exhibit presence.
• Emerging Brands Pavilion: A curated opportunity for qualifying companies introducing innovative products, services, and solutions to the health and physical education community.

For Nonprofits, Government Agencies & Schools

• Discounted Traditional Exhibit Space: Special exhibit space rates designed specifically for eligible nonprofits, government agencies, and schools.
• Turnkey Display Package: A ready-to-use exhibit solution that includes exhibit furnishings and key services, providing a simplified exhibiting experience.

Visit the option that best first your organization to view current pricing, eligibility requirements, and participation details.

Booth inclusions vary based on the exhibit participation option selected. SHAPE America offers several exhibit solutions designed to meet different organizational goals, budgets, and exhibiting preferences.

Select the option that best fits your organization to view a complete list of benefits, furnishings, services, staff badge registrations, and exhibit amenities.

For Corporate Entities

• Traditional Exhibit Space: View booth inclusions for standard exhibit space.
• Emerging Brands Pavilion: View inclusions for participating companies in the Emerging Brands Pavilion.

For Nonprofits, Government Agencies & Schools

• Discounted Traditional Exhibit Space: View booth inclusions for eligible nonprofit, government, and school exhibitors.
• Turnkey Display Package: View included furnishings, services, and benefits for the Turnkey Display Package.

Please Note: Traditional Exhibit Space includes exhibit floor space only unless otherwise noted. Traditional exhibit space includes exhibit floor space only unless otherwise noted. Flooring is required for all traditional booths. Furnishings, electrical service, internet, and other exhibitor services are available separately through the Exhibitor Service Kit. For additional information about exhibitor responsibilities and optional services, please review the Additional Exhibit Services & Costs section for Corporate Entities or Nonprofit, Government Agency, or School exhibitors.

Additional costs vary based on the exhibit participation option you select.

Traditional Exhibit Space

Traditional exhibit space includes exhibit floor space only unless otherwise noted. Flooring is required for all traditional booths. Furnishings, electrical service, internet, and other exhibitor services are available separately through the Exhibitor Service Kit.

For additional information about exhibitor responsibilities and optional services, please review the Additional Exhibit Services & Costs section:

• Corporate Entities
• Nonprofits, Government Agencies & Schools

Emerging Brands Pavilion

The Emerging Brands Pavilion includes several amenities designed to simplify participation for qualifying organizations. Please review the list of included items, exhibitor responsibilities and any optional add-on services.

Turnkey Display Package

The Turnkey Display Package includes a furnished exhibit setup designed to minimize planning and operational costs. Additional services may still be available depending on your organization's needs. Please review the Additional Exhibit Services & Costs section for more information.

Yes. Beginning in 2027, the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo will transition to a Thursday-Saturday convention schedule, with an optional pre-convention day on Wednesday, April 7.

Expo Hall hours have been strategically scheduled to maximize attendee engagement and exhibitor visibility, including dedicated exclusive Expo Hall hours and exhibit-focused networking opportunities throughout the event.

View the complete Convention Schedule-at-a-Glance, Convention Overview, or Expo Hall Schedule for detailed dates and times.

Yes. SHAPE America uses an online, real-time exhibit application process that allows exhibitors to view available exhibit space and select their preferred booth location during the application process.

The exhibit floor plan identifies available opportunities by participation type, including:

• Traditional Corporate Exhibit Space
• Emerging Brands Pavilion
• Nonprofit/Government/School Traditional Exhibit Space
• Turnkey Display Packages

Returning 2026 exhibitors receive advance access to booth selection before exhibit sales open to the public on July 27, 2026.

Exhibitors may also select eligible advertising and sponsorship opportunities during the application process.

All applications are reviewed by SHAPE America before final approval to verify eligibility requirements and ensure the selected participation option aligns with the exhibitor's organization type.

View the Expo Hall Floor Plan

Yes. Organizations may participate as exhibitors, sponsors, advertisers, or through a customized combination of opportunities.

Many organizations choose to combine exhibit space, sponsorship opportunities, and advertising placements to maximize visibility and attendee engagement. Other organizations participate exclusively through sponsorship or advertising opportunities without exhibiting.

Please note that certain opportunities are reserved exclusively for contracted exhibitors and are identified with the Exhibitor Only icon.

Find Your Opportunity

Explore Exhibits	Explore Sponsorships	Explore Advertising

The Exhibitor Terms & Conditions outline important participation requirements, exhibit regulations, payment policies, cancellation terms, and other information governing participation in the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo.

View the complete Exhibitor Terms & Conditions.

Each sponsorship opportunity includes a unique package of benefits designed to support specific marketing, branding, lead generation, or engagement objectives. Benefits vary by opportunity and may include onsite visibility, attendee engagement opportunities, digital promotion, and recognition in convention materials.

In addition to opportunity-specific benefits, sponsorship investments contribute toward sponsorship recognition levels.  Each sponsorship level includes additional benefits, such as complimentary registrations, attendee lists, and more.

• View Sponsorship Opportunities
• View Sponsorship Levels & Benefits

Sponsorship investments are cumulative. s your organization's total sponsorship investment increases, you may qualify for enhanced sponsorship recognition levels and additional benefits.

Sponsorship level benefits are awarded in addition to the benefits included with individual sponsorship opportunities.

View Sponsorship Levels & Benefits

Yes. Organizations may combine exhibit space, sponsorship opportunities, advertising placements, and partnership activations to create a customized participation package aligned with their goals and budget.

Explore Exhibits	Explore Sponsorships	Explore Advertising	Activate a Partnership

Sponsor Terms & Conditions govern participation in sponsorship opportunities related to the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo and outline important policies, deadlines, payment requirements, and participation expectations.

View the complete Sponsorship Terms & Conditions.

SHAPE America offers a variety of print, digital, onsite, and engagement-based advertising opportunities designed to help organizations increase brand awareness, drive attendee engagement, promote products and services, and support lead generation objectives.

Advertising opportunities are available before, during, and after the convention through digital communications, onsite placements, convention publications, attendee engagement experiences, and more.

View Advertising Opportunities

No. Attendee lists are provided as a benefit of exhibit and sponsorship participation and are not included with advertising opportunities alone.

Organizations interested in attendee list access should explore exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, which include additional engagement, lead generation, and visibility benefits.

Explore Exhibits	Explore Sponsorships

Yes. Organizations may combine advertising, sponsorship, exhibit, and partnership opportunities to create a customized marketing strategy aligned with their goals and budget.

Explore Exhibits	Explore Sponsorships	Explore Advertising	Activate a Partnership

Advertiser Terms & Conditions govern participation in advertising opportunities related to the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo and outline important policies, deadlines, payment requirements, and participation expectations.

View the complete Advertiser Terms & Conditions.

SHAPE America accepts payment by ACH/Direct Deposit, check, and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express).

ACH/Direct Deposit is SHAPE America's preferred method of payment.

Please note that a 3.5% credit card processing fee will be added to all payments made by credit card. This fee is reflected on your invoice and does not apply to payments made by ACH/Direct Deposit or check.

Additional payment instructions, including ACH information and remittance details for check payments, are provided on exhibitor, sponsor, or advertiser invoices.

Payment requirements vary based on the participation option selected and the date of purchase.

Exhibit Space

• Reservations made before October 19, 2026 require a 50% nonrefundable deposit at the time of reservation. The remaining balance is due by March 7, 2027.
• Reservations made on or after October 19, 2026 require payment in full at the time of reservaton.

Advertising & Sponsorship Reservations

• Reservations require a 50% deposit at the time of reservation, with the remaining balance due by March 7, 2027.
• Reservations made January 1, 2027 or later require payment in full at the time of reservation.

Please refer to your invoice for specific payment deadlines and terms.