Donate

TAHPERD 103rd Annual Convention

Learn. Connect.
Return inspired.

Join physical education, health, recreation, and dance professionals from across Texas for four days of practical learning, professional connection, and renewed energy.

Registration Now OpenView Hotel Information
December 2–5, 2026Hilliard Center (formerly American Bank Center)
Corpus Christi, Texas
Theme:
SOAR: Strengthen Outreach and RetentionHotel and registration blocks open:
August 15, 2026
Convention Overview

Texas’s premier professional learning event

Practical strategies, engaging activities, ready-to-use resources, and meaningful connections for professionals serving students from K–12 through college.

The TAHPERD Annual Convention is Texas’s premier professional learning event for K–12 and college physical education, health, recreation, and dance teachers, students, and administrators. The multi-day convention features high-quality, standards-aligned sessions led by experienced educators and experts, with practical strategies, engaging activities, and ready-to-use resources for your gym or classroom.

Attendees can connect with fellow educators from across the state, explore the latest equipment and curriculum solutions, and leave energized, inspired, and equipped to elevate physical education and health programs for every student.

DatesDecember 2–5, 2026
LocationHilliard Center
Corpus Christi
ThemeSOAR: Strengthen Outreach and Retention
Registration Information

Plan your registration

Online registration opens August 15, 2026. A printable registration form will be available, but all attendees must still register online. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Printable Registration Form

Request a Quote for a Purchase Order

Current TAHPERD Member Rates

Early Bird

Aug. 15–Oct. 1
  • Professional / Associate$170
  • Retired Member$55
  • Student Member$45

Pre-Registration

Oct. 2–Nov. 1
Bring a Friend Campaign begins- registered TAHPERD members can bring a friend at the Pre-Registration Rate. Friends must join TAHPERD Basic Access. 
  • Professional / Associate$190
  • Retired Member$55
  • Student Member$45

Late Registration

Nov. 2–Dec. 2
  • Professional / Associate$210
  • Retired Member$65
  • Student Member$55

Renewing TAHPERD Member Rates

For attendees renewing their TAHPERD membership as part of convention registration.

Early Bird

Aug. 15–Oct. 1
  • Professional / Associate$240
  • Student Member$65
  • Retired Member$85

Pre-Registration

Oct. 2–Nov. 1
  • Professional / Associate$260
  • Student Member$65
  • Retired Member$85

Late Registration

Nov. 2–Dec. 2
  • Professional / Associate$280
  • Student Member$75
  • Retired Member$95

Out-of-State Attendee Rates

Available to attendees who are current members of another state AHPERD association.

Early Bird
Aug. 15–Oct. 1$170
Pre-Registration
Oct. 2–Nov. 1$190
Late Registration
Nov. 2–Dec. 2$210
Proof of current state AHPERD membership is required.

Non-Members Flat registration rates

Professional / Associate$290
Student$95
New for 2026: Digital handouts are included with every registration.

Questions? Email registration@tahperd.org.

Registration Options

Group Registration

The first registrant must be a current TAHPERD member or renewing membership at the time of registration and select the Professional Member Registration Rate.

  1. Select the appropriate registration options for the first registrant: workshops, manual, shirts, etc.
  2. Once the first registration is complete, there will be a button that says “Add Another Attendee to this registration”. You may add up to 20 registrants. Need more? Please contact britt@tahperd.org.
  3. You will be able to add another person at the Professional Member rate. There will also be an option to renew their membership by selecting the Renewing Member Rate.
Note: All membership dues will be required prior to checking into the event. If a person is registered at the Professional Member rate but their membership is expired or expires prior to the event, they will be required to pay dues BEFORE they can check into the event or receive CPE credits.
IMPORTANT: Please use the name and email address TAHPERD has on file for the member.

Cancellation Policy

By registering for the event, you agree to the terms and conditions listed below.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Cancellations must be submitted in writing by email or postmarked no later than November 15, 2026. Send requests to registration@tahperd.org. All cancellations are subject to a $40 processing fee.

No cancellations will be accepted after November 15, 2026.

Overall Schedule & Sessions

Build your convention experience

Hotel Information

Stay in the official convention block

TAHPERD Request
Please make your reservations at the designated Convention Hotels while rooms are available. TAHPERD’s use of meeting space, convention facilities, and services depends on the number of rooms utilized by attendees. When room block commitments are not fulfilled, TAHPERD may be contractually obligated to pay financial penalties. Convention Center fees are supported in part by room revenue from the official Convention Hotels.
Hotel block cut-off: Monday, November 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The Booking Link will not work if our block is sold out or if one or more nights in our block is sold out. Contact the hotel directly if you are having issues.
Exhibitors

Connect with Texas educators

Visit the Annual Convention Exhibitors page for information about exhibiting at this event.

Annual Convention Exhibitors
Convention Partners

CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS

Anchor

2026 Convention Details

Overall Convention Schedule

Convention events will be held at the Hilliard Center (formerly American Bank Center) and the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel as designated.

Wednesday • December 2

Pre-Convention Workshops

Three focused learning opportunities are scheduled from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at the Hilliard Center.

General Session Keynote

Dave Burgess

Thursday, December 3 • 8:00–9:00 a.m. • Selena Auditorium
Lynn & Tillie McCraw First General Session

Dave Burgess is the New York Times best-selling author of Teach Like a PIRATE, co-author of P is for PIRATE, and president of Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. His energetic presentations blend creativity, showmanship, and practical teaching strategies designed to help educators reach hard-to-motivate students and bring more passion to the classroom.

Featured Educators

2025 TAHPERD Teachers of the Year Presentations

TAHPERD award recipients return to share their expertise with attendees at the 103rd Annual Convention.

Program Preview

Convention Program Titles

All programs will be held at the Hilliard Center unless otherwise specified in the Convention Program.

College Division Programs

College Administrators

  • From Discipline to Ecosystem: A Roundtable Discussion on the Expanding, Interconnected Landscape of Kinesiology in Higher Education

Lifetime Wellness

  • Beat the Burnout: How Movement Helps First-Year Students Stay Grounded and Thrive
  • Foot Fetish: Taking Care of the Dogs
  • Movement Screening for the Masses
  • Moving Well, Moving Long: Navigating Postural Deviations in a Modern World
  • S.M.A.R.T. Ways to Encourage Smart Runners
  • YOGA – Exploring Your Energy Body
  • You Can’t Go Wrong with Strong

Professional Preparation

  • Addressing the Need for Certified Teacher-Coaches in Texas
  • Be Prepared to SOAR through Your Next Job Interview!
  • Blending AI and Critical Thinking: An Instructional Strategy for an Undergraduate Kinesiology Course
  • Let’s Discuss Paid Clinical Teaching
  • Mind the Gap: Preparing the Whole High School Athlete for Collegiate Success
  • Oodles of Noodles 3.0
  • The Power of E: Building Environments that Keep Teachers Thriving
  • Tic-Tac-Total
  • T-TESS and Your Success at Your District
  • What Physical Education Teachers & Teacher Educators Should Know about Promoting Physical Activity Using School Systems

Research

  • Exploring the Experiences of Novice Teacher Coaches in Texas
  • Research Poster Presentations
  • Utilizing Bioelectrical Impedance and Heart Rate Monitoring to Enhance Adapted Physical Education Outcomes for Students

Sport Management

  • Abnormal Distributions: Trends of Statistical Data Distributions in Kinesiology & Sport Management Research
  • Analyzing Peripheral Products: The Unique Aspects of Sport Marketing
  • Integration of AI into Sport & Event Management
  • The Nonprofit Playbook: A Blueprint for Creating, Sustaining, and Scaling a Youth Sports Organization

Student

  • Calling All TAHPERD Student Members: Battle of the Colleges
  • From Student to Supervisor: A Full-Circle Conversation on the Clinical Teaching Journey
  • How are You Preparing for the TExAS 258 Content Exam?
  • Welcome TAHPERD Student Members!

Dance Division Programs

Dance Aesthetics

  • Dance, Brain, Connect: Strengthening Neural Pathways through Folk Movement
  • How to Watch Dance

Dance Cultural, Social & Wellness Forms

  • Flamenco through Sevillanas
  • Latin Jazz in Motion
  • SEL and Dance Education

Dance Pedagogy

  • Dancing Country is Elementary – Part 2
  • Differentiation in Movement Classes: Reaching Every Student Without 10 Lesson Plans
  • Dynamic Warm Up for Dance
  • T-TESS Made Simple: How to Actually Score Distinguished in PE & Dance
  • Texas Drill Team: Building Health Teams
  • The Perfect Pirouette – Teaching Pirouette and Balance Technique Utilizing Somatic Techniques and Dance Science
  • What You REALLY Need to Know about Public School Dance Education

Dance Performance

  • Dance for TOTAL Inclusion
  • Using Vestibular Training to Improve Balance
  • Kaleidoscope Dance Concert & Feedback Session

General Division Programs

Assessment & Evaluation

  • Run, Throw, and Don’t Get Tagged: A Little to No Equipment Chaos Plan for PE Success

Diversity

  • No More Sidelines: Equity and Access in Physical Education
  • You Made It! Now What? 1st Timer’s Welcome Session

Instructional Technology

  • AI + Pedagogy: Ethical, Practical, and Workforce-Alignment for Teaching and Learning in the Kinesiology Classroom

K–12 Administrators

  • Beyond Roll Call & Dodgeball: Practical T-TESS Tools for High-Quality PE
  • K-12 Leader Roundtable Discussion
  • Making B.I.G. AI Moves: Game Changer Strategies for PE & Health Leaders
  • Wait, What Just Happened?
  • What School Leaders Should Know about Promoting Physical Activity Using School Systems

Retired Professionals

  • Get Down with Your Sit Down
  • Retirement 101

Health Division Programs

Community Health Education

  • Comparative Value of Domestic vs. International Public Health Education: The Role and Relevance of Study Abroad Programs
  • Exploring Cultural Foodways for Better Nutrition: Lessons from African, Asian, and Blue Zone Diets
  • Public Health Priorities and Nutrition Program Data Gaps in East Texas: The Case of the WIC Program

Health Instructional Program

  • Health Activities that Teach
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing of Students in Your Classrooms
  • Nutrition Labels and What They Do and Don’t Tell Us
  • Resiliency: Empowering Students to Navigate Life’s Stormy Seas

Health Professional Education

  • Advocating for Health Education

Health Promotion

  • YOGA – Meditation in Motion

Physical Education Division Programs

Adapted Physical Education

  • Field Day for Everyone: Creating an Inclusive Playday Experience for Students, Families, and the Community
  • Let’s Adapt! Accessibility for All (Part 2)
  • United on the Court: Adapted Pickleball Skills and Unified Tournaments

Early Childhood Education

  • Candy Cane Chaos
  • Communication in Motion: Collaborative Strategies for Inclusion Using Speech Pathology Skills and Physical Education
  • Holiday Happenings with the Littles
  • SOAR with Pre-K

Elementary Physical Education

  • ‘A Traffic Garden Handbook’ A Guide for Schools, Communities, Organizations, and Local Officials
  • Bike and Pedestrian Safety Education in Physical Education, Your Classroom, School, and Community
  • Ballin’ on a Budget: Big Energy. Small Budget. Real Results.
  • Basic Equipment, Not So Basic Activities with Richardson ISD
  • Boosting Motivation in PE: Helping Students Feel Successful
  • Field Day Frenzy: From Chaos to Controlled Success
  • Finding a Grant for Physical Education and Writing it
  • Flight Club
  • From Warm-Up to Main Event: Designing Seamless Kindergarten PE Lessons
  • Game-Changing PE: High Movement, Real Engagement
  • Heart Rates and High Fives: Gamified Warm-ups that Work
  • Holiday Hustle: Move, Play, Celebrate!
  • Lerm’s Lessons
  • Let Your Students Soar
  • Make a Splash: Water Safety that Sticks!
  • Make it Work: PE Games with What’s on Hand
  • Move the Brain, Move Learning: Emotion & Neuroscience in PE
  • Shipwrecked & on the Move: Fun Fitness Adventures with GCCISD
  • Simple Setups, Endless Movement
  • Soaring Together: A Field Day Adventure
  • Soar with Large Group Goose Games III
  • Texas Tornadoes Round 3: Full Force
  • The GIFs that Keep on Giving
  • The Perfect SUBstitution – Winning While You’re Away!
  • Tis the Season! Part 6
  • TOY Box 2.0
  • Volleyball Fundamentals through Adaptable Drills and Games

Middle & High School Physical Education

  • Activities for Teambuilding: Creative, Effective & Fun
  • Beyond the Whistle
  • Brains and Brawn Emphasizes that Lifting is as Much about the Mental Planning (SMART) as the Physical Execution
  • Building Stronger Students: Integrating Functional Fitness and Community-Based Training in Physical Education
  • FitRhythms: Using Percussion Instruments for a Creative and Fun Movement Experience
  • Flips to Do: Stunts for Two (or three)
  • Roll, Move, Play: Bringing Board Games to Life through Physical Activity
  • Roll Up Your Sleeves: It’s Time to Act for Physical Education in Texas
  • The First Defense is Awareness: Practical Safety for Students

Sports

  • Game On! From Playground to Playbook: Leveling Up 6th Grade Pre-Athletics
  • IKB – I Know Ball Presentation
  • Teaching Running: Warm-Ups, Progressions, and Positive Student Experiences
  • The Global Arena: Transforming the Gym into an Adaptive Olympic Stadium

Recreation Division Programs

Adventure Education

  • SOAR into the Day! Morning Walk Edition

Leisure Activities & Sports

  • Field Day that Runs Itself: High Energy, Low Stress Stations with Built-in Management
  • Gobs of Groovy Games
  • Officiating 101
  • TRoFE is Turning 32!

Outdoor Education

  • Ready, Aim, Adapt: Breaking Barriers on the Archery Range

Water Sports Section

  • Snorkeling for Fun

Exhibitor Showcase Programs

  • 9 Square in the Air + Activity Pack = Maximum Fun & Engagement — 9 Square in the Air
  • Beyond the Game: Integrating Health Skills and Elementary PE — Goodheart-Wilcox Publisher
  • Building a Student Sports Officiating Course — RefReps
  • Come & Play! Games for All Students & Standards — Castle Sports
  • Disc Dynasty: Building Skills, Spirit, and Game Play in PE — OPEN/US Games/BSN Sports
  • Every Student Moving: Stacking Activities that Engage All — Speed Stacks, Inc.
  • Field Day: More than Just a Day — OPEN/US Games/BSN Sports
  • From Zero to Dance Hero in PE — OPEN/US Games/BSN Sports
  • GAMES, GAMES, GAMES — TAGG TIME
  • Get Students Moving: How Marathon Kids Builds Motivation, Endurance, and Goal-Driven School Culture — Marathon Kids
  • Health in Motion — QuaverED
  • HealthSmart: Unlocking Learning: Supercharging Lessons — HealthSmart
  • kids teaching kids and TAHPERD – Partnering for the Whole Child — kids teaching kids
  • Long Rope and Double Dutch Fun — Learnin’ the Ropes
  • Making Every Minute Count: Strategies for Increasing MVPA in PE — GOPHER Sport/SPARK
  • Move to Learn, Learn for Life: Building a Quality K-5 Physical Education Program — School Health/Palos Sports
  • Omnikin: Have a BALL with Action-Packed Fun for All! — Omnikin, Inc.
  • Rolling into Something New: In-line Skating 101 — In-line Skating 101
  • SEX EDUCATIONâ¦The Past, The Present, and The Future — Choosing the Best Publishing
  • Soccer Starts in PE: Build Skills through the World’s Game — U.S. Soccer Foundation
  • Student Engagement Strategies While Teaching Elementary Health Education — CATCH Global Foundation
  • Tony Little Fit Body Hoop Workout — ChulaHoops USA
  • Traverse Climbing Wall Activities & Tips — Everlast Climbing Industries
  • Unconventional Fun: A Session of Non-Traditional Action Team Games — GOPHER Sport
  • Unlocking GRIT: Minute to Win Boss Level Challenges — OPEN/US Games/BSN Sports
Dance Division

Kaleidoscope Dance Program

Submission Deadline • November 1, 2026

Showcase your students at the 103rd Annual Convention

Don’t miss this opportunity to have your students perform during the Corpus Christi Convention. The TAHPERD Dance Division is accepting choreography submissions for the 2026 Kaleidoscope Dance Program.

Kaleidoscope Dance Performance
Friday, December 4, 2026 • 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Kaleidoscope Feedback Panel
Immediately following the performance • 1:00–1:30 p.m.

Submit Choreography
Association Business

Division Section Elections

The following business meetings are scheduled to allow for election of section officers and to conduct other section and division business.

All meetings will be held at the Fort Worth Convention Center unless otherwise specified.

Area Division

SectionDateTimeLocation
All Area Sections 1-12Thursday, December 39:15-10:15 a.m.Water Garden A

College Division

SectionDateTimeLocation
College Administrators SectionThursday, December 39:15-10:15 a.m.Rooms 101/102
Lifetime Wellness SectionFriday, December 48:00-9:00 a.m.Henry Garrett Ballrooms CD
Professional Preparation SectionThursday, December 31:00-2:00 p.m.Harbor View 225 ABC
Research SectionFriday, December 49:00-11:00 a.m.Henry Garrett Ballroom Foyer
Sport Management SectionThursday, December 31:00-2:00 p.m.Room 107
Student SectionFriday, December 41:30-2:30 p.m.Harbor View 225 ABC

Dance Division

SectionDateTimeLocation
Dance Aesthetics SectionFriday, December 411:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Selena Auditorium
Dance Cultural, Social & Wellness Forms SectionFriday, December 411:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Selena Auditorium
Dance Pedagogy SectionFriday, December 411:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Selena Auditorium
Dance Performance SectionFriday, December 411:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Selena Auditorium

General Division

SectionDateTimeLocation
Assessment & Evaluation SectionThursday, December 310:30-11:30 a.m.Harbor View 225 ABC
Diversity SectionThursday, December 32:15-3:15 p.m.Henry Garrett Ballrooms CD
Instructional Technology SectionThursday, December 39:15-10:15 p.m.Mustang Island Room
K-12 Administrators SectionFriday, December 48:00-10:00 a.m.Rooms 101/102
Retired Professionals SectionThursday, December 31:00-2:00 p.m.Mustang Island Room

Health Division

SectionDateTimeLocation
Community Health Education SectionThursday, December 32:15-3:15 p.m.Room 104
Health Instructional Program SectionThursday, December 32:15-3:15 p.m.Room 104
Health Professional Education SectionThursday, December 32:15-3:15 p.m.Room 104
Health Promotion SectionThursday, December 32:15-3:15 p.m.Room 104

Physical Education Division

SectionDateTimeLocation
Adapted Physical Education SectionFriday, December 410:30-11:30 a.m.Henry Garrett Ballrooms CD
Early Childhood Education SectionThursday, December 310:30-11:30 a.m.Harbor View 225 DE
Elementary Physical Education SectionThursday, December 32:15-3:15 p.m.Water Garden A
Middle & High School Physical Education SectionThursday, December 310:30-11:30 a.m.Henry Garrett Ballroom B
Sports SectionThursday, December 39:15-10:15 a.m.Henry Garrett Ballroom B

Recreation Division

SectionDateTimeLocation
Adventure Education SectionFriday, December 49:15-10:15 a.m.Harbor View 225 ABC
Leisure Activities & Sports SectionFriday, December 49:15-10:15 a.m.Harbor View 225 ABC
Outdoor Education SectionFriday, December 49:15-10:15 a.m.Harbor View 225 ABC
Water Sports SectionThursday, December 310:30-11:30 a.m.Omni Hotel Pool
Getting to the Hilliard Center

Hilliard Center Parking

All TAHPERD programs will be held at the Hilliard Center (American Bank Center), 1901 North Shoreline Boulevard, unless otherwise specified in the Convention Program. Attendees have several options for traveling to the venue.

Hilliard Center venue and parking map showing Lots 2, 3, and 10

Hilliard Center venue guide and parking map. Complimentary attendee parking is arranged in Lots 2, 3, and 10.