What to Bring to #PTACon18

Do you have packing panic? Got the what-to-put-in-my-bags blues? If you’re wondering what to pack with you to bring to the 2018 National PTA Convention & Expo June 21-24 in New Orleans, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! As the date is quickly approaching, we wanted to share some tips to help you better prepare for your trip.

Here are some items you should include with you to #PTACon18 in New Orleans:

  1. Cardigan/Light Jacket/Sweater: A sweater can be a great accessory to any outfit. While the average temperature in New Orleans will be 80 degrees Fahrenheit (and higher!), the air conditioning may make things a bit nippy. Make sure you have a cardigan accessible to beat the chill.
  2. Reusable Bottle for Water: You can never go wrong with bottled water! To have the maximum amount of fun, it’s important to stay hydrated for moments it gets a little too warm.
  3. Chargers (laptop, phone, tablet, etc.): Make sure to pack chargers for all of the electronic devices you plan on bringing on your trip. It is important to charge all of your devices while you are asleep so you can wake up to a full charge. Consider bringing a portable charger along if you own one, they are great for on-the-go and times of battery crisis.
  4. Comfortable shoes: Try not to sacrifice comfort for style. Sometimes networking involves constant walking around and you want to make sure your feet aren’t aching, blistered or just plain worn out.
  5. Extra pens, pencils and notepads: Extra pens, pencils and notepads can also be great networking tools when someone around you asks for one. You can never have too many pens and pencils to pass around!
  6. Come to New Orleans geared up: ShopPTA.com has a great selection of PTA logo apparel as well as bags, lapel pins, headwear and neckware to show off your PTA spirit this year!

Our convention attendees are also invited to bring art supplies to support KID smART’s mission. This New Orleans-based nonprofit is dedicated to engaging children in dynamic, creative and rigorous learning through the arts, with the vision to empower all children to unlock their full academic, creative and personal potential. Please consider giving back to KID smART by donating art supplies either in person at PTA Palooza or through KID smART’s Amazon Wishlist.


Saron Messay is a contributing writer to National PTA.

Behind the Membership Scenes: To Activate Your Card…or Not?

To activate or not; that is the question.

We received some emails asking why we are encouraging you to activate the new card. It’s a great question, considering we’ve never requested it of you.

Should I activate the card? Are others activating their card? Am I still a member of PTA if I don’t activate my card? Are you going to give my email address to other companies?

Yes, you should activate the card. Card activation helps PTA meet your needs. When you activate your card, you share with us what role you play in the PTA family… parent, teacher, grandparent, guardian, school administrator, student, or supporter! Knowing who you are helps us to provide resources you need and want.

Yes, other PTA members have activated their cards. Hundreds of thousands of the PTA member network have activated their card to access benefits and that number grows every day. The great thing about card activation: You can activate your membership card anytime you’re ready! Even right now.  It’s never too late to activate.

Yes, you’re still a member of PTA even if you don’t activate your membership card. However, activating your card helps to count your voice. We are a powerful network of 5,000,000 members spread across 54 Congresses (the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Europe). Activating your card helps us to count your voice from state to state. Telling us your voice count helps us get valuable discounts on products and services that can benefit your children, your child’s school, or you. Better voice count equals better discounts!

No, we won’t sell your information to a third party vendor. Receiving unwanted email is not fun, and we won’t add to the dilemma. We keep your email address in confidence and value your willingness to share with us to better serve you and all children.

Activate your card now!


Joy Lindsey is the Membership Marketing Manager for National PTA in Alexandria, VA. Contact Joy at jlindsey@pta.org.