Programs + Events

FAQs

About the Event

What is the 2026 California State PTA Legislative Conference (LegCon26)?
The Legislative Conference (LegCon26) is a unique, two-day advocacy event that brings together PTA leaders and volunteers to learn about key issues affecting children, youth, and families in California. The conference features learning activities, presentations from legislative leaders and experts, and culminates with an opportunity to advocate directly with your state legislators and staff in their offices at the State Capitol.

When and where will LegCon26 take place?
The 2026 Legislative Conference is scheduled for Monday, February 2, and Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the Embassy Suites Riverfront Promenade, 100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814. The event will officially begin on Monday morning at approximately 9:00-9:30 am. There will also be a free networking session on Sunday evening, February 1 (5:30-7:00 PM) for those who arrive early and are staying at Embassy Suites.

Who can attend the California State PTA Legislative Conference?
This event is open to all California State PTA members interested in advocacy. It is highly recommended for Unit, Council, and District PTA Legislation Chairs, Executive Board members, and passionate advocates (with or without an official Legislative Advocacy PTA role). All attendees must be 18 or older.

What does the registration fee cover?
Your registration includes legislative training materials, expert-led sessions, Capitol advocacy day, and two meals (Monday lunch and dinner).  Embassy Suites guests also receive free breakfast and free beverages/snacks at the Sunday and Monday networking receptions.

I’m planning my travel. What is the schedule for LegCon26?
We plan to begin at 9:00-9:30 am on Monday, February 2, with an estimated end time of 8:30 pm (we are planning for a dinner speaker). Tuesday activities start at approximately 8:30 am (location TBD – may be at the state Capitol or hotel). Regardless of location, lunch is on your own. Legislator visits are typically scheduled in the afternoon/after lunch on Tuesday in the elected official’s Capitol office. The event concludes around 4:00 pm on Tuesday, February 3, when you share your feedback on your legislator visit with state advocates and write your thank-you/follow-up notes.

What if I’m new to legislative advocacy?
Perfect! LegCon26 is designed for advocates at every level. Whether you’re taking your first steps into policy work or you’re a seasoned champion for children and families, you’ll find training and support tailored to your experience. Remember: every expert advocate started exactly where you are now.

Is this event accessible?
 Yes! The Embassy Suites Sacramento and all conference activities (we hope to be at the state Capitol on Tuesday) are fully accessible. If you have specific dietary or accessibility needs or questions, please contact California State PTA’s staff meeting planner, Cindy McCain, at cmccain@capta.org so we can ensure your advocacy experience is seamless.

What happens during the Capitol visits?
 Attendees are grouped by PTA district, and small groups of constituents visit the Capitol offices of each elected official. To avoid multiple appointments being booked with the same office, District Leaders will make appointments for local members. There will be time allocated during the conference to meet others in your PTA District group before visits on Tuesday. There will also be a LegCon26 prep call in January of 2026, where we will do a mini-training on legislator visits.

What should I wear and bring to LegCon26?
We recommend business attire for both days of the conference, especially for the Capitol visits on Tuesday. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for navigating the Capitol building and grounds. Please bring note-taking materials for sessions and legislator meetings.

Can students attend LegCon26?
 We welcome students who are 18 or older to join us as full advocates in Sacramento! Please note that we are not offering chaperoned attendance for minors this year. However, we’re excited to announce that we will be hosting a special virtual student advocacy event in spring 2026, which will dramatically expand access for all high school students across California. This virtual event will deliver the same high-quality, engaging training and expert speakers that make LegCon exceptional, while focusing specifically on civic engagement and providing student-focused learning and advocacy opportunities with elected officials and policy experts.

How can I share my LegCon26 experience on social media?
 We encourage you to share your LegCon26 experience on social media! Use the hashtags #LegCon26 and #PTA4Kids when posting about the conference. Follow and tag California State PTA on our social media accounts:

What should I do after attending LegCon26?
 After LegCon26, please plan to report back to your local unit, council, or district PTA. Share what you learned, the advocacy strategies you gained, and your experiences meeting with legislators. Your insights will help strengthen advocacy efforts within your local PTA community and inspire others to get involved in PTA advocacy.

  • Stay engaged by signing up for the quarterly PTA Advocate newsletter.
  • Stay informed by joining the California State PTA Legislative Advocacy Team in their monthly calls from March through June, where we review current legislation and hot topics affecting children and families.
  • Visit capta.org to take action and continue making a difference for California’s children and families.

Registration & Ticketing

When does registration open?
 Registration for LegCon 2026 is scheduled to open in October of 2025 on the Zeffy platform. Please check the California State PTA website for the exact date and registration link.

How long is early bird registration available?
 Your opportunity to secure the early bird rate of $280 ends January 15, 2026. After that, standard registration is $320 through January 30. Walk-in registration is $330 starting February 2, 2026 (space permitting). We’re limited to 150 capacity, so don’t wait—every advocate counts! Registration, hotel, and travel are valid PTA expenses. Contact your District President if you need help with parliamentary procedure to authorize attendance and expenses.

How do I purchase my ticket?
 All tickets must be purchased through our official ticketing partner, Zeffy, via the link provided on the California State PTA website (https://capta.org/programs-events/legislation-conference/).

Why are you using Zeffy? Is there a fee?
 Zeffy is a fundraising and ticketing platform designed specifically for non-profits. Zeffy is 100% free for organizations like the California State PTA—this means we pay zero transaction fees and keep 100% of the money raised from your ticket purchase.

Will I be charged a processing or credit card fee?
 No, you will not be charged a mandatory fee. Zeffy covers all transaction and credit card processing fees for the PTA. When you check out, you will have the option to make a voluntary contribution to Zeffy so they can continue to offer their platform for free to non-profits worldwide. This contribution is completely optional and can be adjusted or removed.

screenshot from Zeffy showing how to change the tip amount to zero.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How will I receive my e-ticket?
 Your e-ticket will be sent automatically to the email address you provided during checkout immediately after your purchase is confirmed. The e-ticket will arrive as a PDF attachment in your confirmation email and will include a unique QR code for check-in.

How do I save and present my e-ticket at check-in?
 You have two options for presenting your e-ticket:

  • Mobile option: Save the PDF e-ticket to your phone or keep it easily accessible in your email. Simply open the PDF on your phone and present the QR code at the registration table.
  • Print option: Download and print your e-ticket PDF. Bring the printed ticket with the QR code to the event.

At check-in, our volunteers will scan your QR code using a smartphone camera or QR scanner app—no special app or device is needed. Make sure your QR code is clearly visible and ready to scan for quick check-in.

Logistics and Policies

What is the check-in process at the conference?
 When you arrive, please proceed to the registration table. Our volunteers will use a mobile app to scan the unique QR code on your e-ticket for quick and easy check-in.

Will there be a discounted hotel block for attendees?
 Yes! The Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento (conference location) offers a discounted PTA rate of $244, which includes full breakfast, WiFi, and a daily afternoon reception. The rate is available through January 14, 2026, or until all discounted rooms are reserved—whichever comes first. Book early to stay where the advocacy action happens! Find the hotel booking link and additional nearby options at capta.org/programs-events/legislation-conference.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?
 All registration sales are considered final. Please note that refunds are not granted unless the event is canceled.

Can I transfer my ticket to another PTA member?
 Absolutely! We encourage transfers between members of the same PTA, council, or district—because building our advocacy community is what matters most. Ticket transfers require authorization. Please contact the California State PTA office directly as soon as possible with the full name and email address of the person receiving the transferred ticket. If we reach our 150-attendee capacity and create a waitlist, we’ll connect members via email to facilitate transfers, though we don’t coordinate the details.