USITT Survival Guide

Welcome to USITT26 in Long Beach

March 18-21, 2026

This survival guide is your hub for any and all important information once you're onsite at USITT26. Below are important dates and times, quick links, a few tips and tricks, maps, and more! Remember to check your email when you're on-site for daily Conference highlights and events.

*PLEASE NOTE: USITT26 BOOKSTORE AND ALL BARS ARE CASHLESS. CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED.
 

Conference Location

Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
300 E Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802
 

Get to Know Our Host City

Visit our Visit Long Beach page for local discounts, entertainment, and a peek at some of the folks who are powering live entertainment in Long Beach!
 

Registration

Your first stop when you arrive at USITT26 is to pick up your badge at registration. Please note: Registration is cashless. You must register for USITT26 online, as on-site registrations will not be available. Our registration area is for badge pick-up only!
 

Registration Hours

Wednesday, March 18: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 20: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21: 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Reminder: You will need your badge to access ALL parts of our Conference & Stage Expo! If you have registered for a Professional Development Workshop (PDW), you MUST go to registration first and get your badge before you head to your PDW.

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USITT Bookstore Hours

USITT Member-Author books, hats, shirts, stickers, our official USITT26 poster, and more will be available for purchase at our on-site USITT Bookstore! Please note: The USITT Bookstore is cashless. 

Location and hours information coming soon


T3 Tech Challenge

Calling all student technicians, costumers, stage managers, and more! Disney Live Entertainment presents T3, a USITT Tech Challenge. Six events will give four-person teams the opportunity to demonstrate a range of backstage skills. Each team will be invited to compete for qualifying scores early in the week, with top teams competing on stage in an action-packed final round on Friday at our Annual Conference & Stage Expo! Students and teams can register in advance or on-site in Long Beach. 


All Attendee Events

Join us for these select events, and surround yourself with your fellow live entertainment artists and technicians. For more info on all of our All Attendee Events, visit our All Attendee Events page here!

 

Opening Night Reception at the Terrace Theatre

Wednesday, March 18 • 6:00–7:30 PM
Location: Terrace Theatre, Long Beach

Kick off the 66th Annual USITT Conference & Stage Expo in style at the Terrace Theatre in Long Beach. Join colleagues and new friends for an evening of connection, conversation, and celebration. Enjoy delicious bites, a cash bar, and great company as we toast the start of USITT26 and the inspiring days ahead. RSVP required.


First Timers Event

Are you new to USITT? Are you a long-time Member but a Conference newbie? No problem! Our First Timers Event will help prepare you for the next four days with tips and tricks, insider info, and how to make the most of your time at USITT26.

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USITT26 Stage Expo Opening

Join us and hundreds of other attendees for our Stage Expo opening celebration! Outside the Expo hall, just moments before you experience USITT26’s Stage Expo, we’ll be jamming out, celebrating, and getting energized before the doors open to a world of new products, innovative tech, demonstrations, and more networking and recruitment opportunities than you ever thought possible! 
 

Awards Awards Awards

Celebrate your fellow industry designers, creators, managers, luminaries, and more at our awards presentation. After our awards presentation, all Awards, Awards, Awards attendees will travel as a group to the opening of Stage Expo and be the FIRST attendees to enter the Expo floor!
 

USITT Night at the Aquarium of the Pacific

Friday, March 20 • 7:00–9:00 PM
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach

Dive into an unforgettable evening at one of Long Beach’s most stunning attractions. Join fellow attendees and exhibitors for a private USITT event featuring food stations, a cash bar, and full access to the aquarium’s indoor and outdoor exhibits. Mingle with friends among the sea life and enjoy a truly immersive experience as you explore, connect, and celebrate together. RSVP required.

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The Queen Mary Experience

Saturday, March 21 • 6:00–9:00 PM
Location: The Queen Mary, Long Beach
Ticket Price: $75 (limited to the first 500 guests)

For the first time ever, USITT invites you aboard the legendary Queen Mary for an exclusive evening experience. Enjoy food stations, a cash bar, live music, a silent disco, and both self-guided and guided tours of this historic ocean liner. Dressing the part is optional, but prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.

Your ticket price includes round trip transportation, food stations, a silent disco, guided tours, and music. As day turns to night, take in the spectacular sunset views over Long Beach Harbor from the decks of this iconic ship. Secure your ticket now before they’re gone. RSVP required.


Member-Author Book Signing

Get your favorite industry book signed, grab a refreshment, and chat with our member-authors at our well-loved member-author book signing event! Each year, a collection of our member authors sell their own literary works of art at our USITT bookstore both online and at Conference. We encourage you to order your books online before Conference or purchase at our USITT Bookstore and have your book signed during this one-on-one industry author experience!

 

Share Your Attendance

Do you want to share with your social media followers that you'll be attending USITT26? We’ve got the perfect graphics for you to share your attendance on your favorite platforms! And don't forget to check out USITT's social media for photos, videos, updates, and more exciting content during Conference!

USITT Facebook | USITT Instagram | USITT TikTok
 

Thank You to Our USITT26 Sponsors!

USITT26 wouldn't be possible without our generous sponsors. To see our full list of USITT26 sponsors, click here.
 

Transportation Around Long Beach

Whether you prefer transportation that is on demand, on a fixed route, or on your own schedule, getting to and around Long Beach is easy and accessible. 

To learn more about USITT's Housing and transportation options, visit our page here!
 

Navigating the Expo Floor

Stage Expo Hours

Thursday, March 19: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Stage Expo only hours: 11-12:30 p.m. | Happy Hour: 4:30-6 p.m.)
Friday, March 20: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Stage Expo only hours: 11-12:30 p.m. | Happy Hour: 4:30-6 p.m.)
Saturday, March 21: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Stage Expo only hours: 10-11:30 a.m.)

Stage Expo Map

Stage Expo Exhibitor List
 

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Labs

This year's hands-on labs are located in Exhibit Hall C. Sign up for hands-on labs in the attendee's service center or during registration. Seats are limited, but each lab has additional gallery seating so viewers can learn from the instructors, even if they don't have a seat at the table. Lab hours are as follows:

Thursday, March 19: 9 a.m. -11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, March 20: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 21: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
 
These are the general operating hours. Some hands-on labs have breaks between programming, so be sure to check the Conference Schedule for the specific lab you are interested in!
 

Need to Decompress?

A sensory relief room is available to all attendees in the Seaside Ballroom. Please use this room as a quiet and comfortable space to decompress during Conference hours.

Open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
 

The Vault

The Vault is a safe space initiative providing Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender non-conforming USITT Members a more comfortable and accessible way to find clothing that fits their professional and stylistic needs. 

You'll find us in room Seaside Rooms S-1, Hours TBA.
 

Special Exhibits

For more information on Special Exhibits, visit our All Attendee Events page here!
 

Digital National Poster Sessions

USITT's Digital National Poster Sessions allow presenters to share their research and expand scholarly activity. They are a great way to experience new solutions to old problems, innovations, research results, discoveries, developments, and more. This year's topics include Building Basics (rethinking core concepts or practices), Material Movement (looking at materials and mediums in a unique or novel way), and Processed Processes (new or improved processes or protocols).

Emerging Creatives Showcase

The Emerging Creatives Showcase is an annual open adjudicated exhibition of designers, craftspersons, and managers. The Emerging Creatives Showcase helps us showcase emerging talent that has, for the most part, not been featured in this and other exhibitions of rising talent. This year’s cohort will spotlight Designers and Craftspersons of Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, and Southeast Asian descent.
 

The Soles of the Nation

We invite you to select 1–3 pairs of shoes from your Costume Shop’s collection to exhibit with us at USITT26! Please bring shoes with a unique identity — whether they are distinctive in how they were acquired, how they have been used, how they are constructed, or simply because they are a favorite or tell a story you would like to share.

Interested in contributing? Please complete this form. To participate, you will need to make room in your luggage or arrange an alternate way to bring the shoes to USITT26.

If your submission is accepted, we will follow up with additional details about when and where to bring the shoes for display.
 

Looking For a Job?

SmartMatch

If you are seeking employment or college admission, you will have the opportunity to be matched with exhibitors who are on the lookout for their newest employees or colleges and universities looking for their next star student. SmartMatch allows you to make appointments with our exhibitors for a one-on-one interview right at USITT26! More information coming soon!

JobsUSITT Career Campus

Upload your resume using our QR code and start your job search! Find job postings, connect with exhibitors, set up interviews, and more! More information coming soon!
 

PRIMP

PIMP is your one-stop shop for Portfolio Reviews & Interview Materials Prep! During PRIMP, participants get the chance to receive feedback on what they would share at a job interview, as well as the opportunity to network with two others in their field doing the reviewing. Stop by to perfect your interview style and chat with other working professionals about landing the perfect gig. 

Resume Doctor

Seeking tips on how to make your resume shine? Want to hear from experts what companies are looking for? Stop by the Resume Doctor booth on our Expo floor to get tips from experts on how to make your resume stand out!
 

Free Headshots!

Need to update your professional headshot? Stop by the exclusive headshot booth on our Expo floor to get your free professional headshot!

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Accessibility

At the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, they are committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and accessible environment for all guests.

Accessibility is at the heart of the guest experience, both onsite and online. Whether you're attending a live performance, convention, or community event, they strive to provide clear and convenient access to our venues, services, and amenities.

They are continuously working to enhance their physical and digital infrastructure to meet the needs of guests with disabilities and special needs. Their goal is to ensure every visitor can fully engage, explore, and enjoy their time there.
 

Accessibility Tour

Discover the convention center through an accessibility-focused lens. This guided tour will highlight accessible routes, amenities, and services to help all attendees navigate the space with ease and confidence. Meet us at the Terrace Theatre on Wednesday, March 18 at 10 a.m.