This is a slick move because so many teachers submit purchase requests to the school district that employs them. However, the turn-around time for school district purchase orders is lengthy, and a majority of teachers and technology staff cannot get the purchase order processed in time unless they submit it through bureaucratic channels by the end of Septermber.

To be fair, some school districts have an system in place to expedite purchase orders for conference registrations.

Imagine that if 6,000 teachers submit purchase orders, and two thirds of that number cannot get the purchase order processed in time for the “Early Bird” discount. This gives TCEA an additional $60,000 while providing no additional value to attendees.

Unfortunately, TCEA provides no additional incentives for early registration. In fact, online registration closes approximately one month before the convention.

This seems odd for a technology-focused organization to need such a long lead time for processing its online registrations; i.e., “Do they know how to practice what they preach?”

But, althought a financial incentive is absent, a personal incentive exists. That is, online registration allows avoiding the huge, “often moving at a glacial pace” registration lines.

So, wait until after the New Year to register for the TCEA conference unless you want to sign up for one of TCEA’s Paid Workshops.

The popular workshops close early.

However, this year, offers a day of free workshops and programs. This program follows the “Unconference” model. The benefit is that the TCEA Unconference uses Web 2.0-style social community support. Expect great programs and even better post-presentation follow-up resoruces from this free program.

Related links:

TCEA Unconference | TCEA EduBloggerCon | Open Source Resource Marketing Plan