Both airports are within a 30 minute ride to the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. The Dallas Love Field (DAL) is 20 miles from the Texan, and the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is only 5 miles away. Visit the Getting There page to find your flight discounts!

Visit  CheapAirportParking and enter discount code Imaging to receive a $10 discount on your airport parking. For ground transportation options be sure to use your favorite rideshare app as the Gaylord doesn't currently offer an airport shuttle service.

There is a Walgreens Pharmacy 2.5 miles away at 912 W Northwest Hwy, Grapevine, TX 76051, Phone: (817)310-3072.

Whether you are looking for your morning coffee, a quick sandwich, or a nice dinner with friends, there are options galore in Grapevine. Visit the About Grapevine page for more details.

Discounted Parking for Imaging USA Attendees

Enjoy discounted $11 per day self-parking and $16 per day valet parking at the Gaylord Texan.For guests arriving by car, a parking attendant will be stationed in the registration are during the hours listed below to help ensure you receive the discounted parking rate. After hours, the parking sticker will be available at either the registration desk in the Center Prefunction Area or at the kiosk located outside of Tate Ballroom. 
Thursday, January 30       
Parking Attendant Hours: 12-6pm 
After Hours: Pick Up at Registration in Center Prefunction
Friday, January 31 
Parking Attendant Hours:12-6 pm 
After Hours: Pick Up at Registration in Center Prefunction
Saturday, February 1 
Parking Attendant Hours: 12-6pm 
After Hours: Pick Up at Registration in Center Prefunction
Sunday, February 2  
Parking Attendant Hours: 11am-7pm 
After Hours: Pick Up in Vineyard Tower Reg Desk 
Monday, February 3 
Parking Attendant Hours: 11am-7pm 
After Hours: Pick Up in Vineyard Tower Reg Desk 
Tuesday, February 4  
Parking Attendant Hours: 11am-3pm 
After Hours: Pick Up in Vineyard Tower Reg Desk

For special requests, call PPA’s Events Department at 800-786-6277.

You can receive a full refund minus a $25 administration fee for cancellations received by Dec. 13, 2024; no refunds after Dec. 13, 2024.

Imaging USA 2026 will be held  January 11 – 13 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN.

Imaging USA 2027 will be held  January 31 – February 2 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC.

Imaging USA 2028 will be held  February 6 – 8 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, TX.

Imaging USA 2029 will be held  January 21 – 23 at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, MD.

Imaging USA 2030 will be held  January 6 – 8 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN.

Imaging USA 2031 will be held  January 5 – 7 at the Gaylord National Harbor Palms in Orlando, FL.

Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the driving force behind Imaging USA. Our organization has been creating photography conventions for 130 years because we value every photographer who wants to better their craft and business skills. We host Imaging USA every year because we want to see you succeed with the tools you can learn at this convention. 

More photographers get into the industry every day, but few know how to run profitable businesses and many don't know where to turn for support. That's where we come in. We are the largest photography non-profit in the world here to help all photographers reach their potential. 

PPA was created by photographers for photographers because we want you to receive the best photography education that you can get. With over 35,000 members, it’s clear that we’re doing something right through providing protection, education, and resources for the success of our photography community. 

To see how you can become a part of our community, visit PPA.com.

Imaging USA is an all-day-and-then-some convention where the majority of your time, if not all of it, will be taken up by learning about photography. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to return some messages here and there, but then you might miss out on a crucial part of the convention. To be on the safe side, turn your out of office reply on to manage clients' expectations.

You can stay connected to all things Imaging USA through our social media platforms! We're on Facebook and Instagram, and we'll be sharing photos, tips, and giveaways as we get closer to the event. PPA members can also connect in the Imaging USA community on theLoop.

Using social media is also a great way to interact with the speakers or connect with fellow attendees. Don’t forget to use #ImagingUSA with your posts, you might get featured on our page! 

We highly recommend that you take notes at Imaging USA! That way you can look back at what you learned in your sessions and apply them to your photography business. You can take notes on anything that you feel comfortable with like a laptop, tablet, pen and paper, notepads, etc. 

The classrooms are set up with rows of chairs but no tables, so tablets, smartphones, or good old pen and paper might work easier than a full-blown laptop. The Imaging USA app will also allow you for some great note-taking options. Plus, you'll also get an Imaging USA notebook at the registration area perfect for taking notes.

Make sure to bring your conference badge to attend the sessions and business cards in case you want to network with your fellow photographers! 

If you've lost or found something, swing by the Special Services kiosk at Imaging USA Registration.

WIFI is complimentary for all guests staying at the Gaylord Texan.

Staying at one of the official Imaging USA host hotels is the best and easiest way to get the most out of your time at the convention. We encourage you to continue to reserve a room and stay at one of the contracted Imaging USA hotels.

1. Keep your registration fees low!
   By staying at the official Imaging USA host hotels, you're helping to keep registration fees down! The hotel provides complimentary meeting rooms for Imaging USA if, and only if, we meet the required minimum guest rooms in our hotel contract. Otherwise, Imaging USA must pay for meeting rooms as well as for each room we fall below the minimum—and registration fees will go up! So stay with us and save!
2. Networking opportunities!
   By staying at the host hotels, you're at the epicenter for everything Imaging USA. Social and networking opportunities abound, and you don't even have to go anywhere to find them. They're all right here!
3. Save on transportation!
   If you're not staying at the host hotels, chances are you'll have to spend some money on a taxi or parking to come over for some of the events. Why incur extra expenses? Stay here and be at the center of it all.

The official hashtag for the conference is #ImagingUSA. Use it to get re-shared by @ImagingUSA and @OurPPA.

Applications for Imaging USA volunteers will be accepted from April 1 - August 31. Click the button below to complete the application on PPA.com.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Imaging USA will adopt specific health and safety measures that reflect public health guidelines at the time of the event in January & February. We are monitoring national and local protocols to determine the best way for us to gather with one another safely.

Please note that compliance with some or all the protocols adopted by PPA will be mandatory for in-person attendees. More details regarding the specific health and safety measures will be provided to attendees leading up to the first day of the conference
 

PPA, the organization behind Imaging USA, is working closely with the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center to create the safest possible event for all attendees, exhibitors, and speakers. 

As this is a fluid situation, we plan to adapt our guidelines as new developments occur. In the months leading up to the January event, attendees will receive more details regarding the protocols we are taking to create a safe event.
 

For emergencies, please call 911 to receive urgent care.

Search for the best deals at Imaging USA on the tradeshow floor by connecting with vendors. Also be sure to download the Imaging USA app for show specials.

Children 16 and under are allowed free admission to the Imaging USA Expo (trade show) ONLY. Just check in with the Registration Staff and they will add a free Expo Pass for your child.

Main Registration
Head towards the Convention Center side of the Gaylord Texan, up to Level Three in the Center Pre-Function space to pick up your badge!

Main Registration Hours

• Thursday 8am - 5pm
• Friday 8am - 5pm
• Saturday 8am - 7pm
• Sunday 7am - 7pm
• Monday 7am - 7pm
• Tuesday 7am - 3:30pm

Vineyard Tower Registration in the Vineyard Prefunction area

• Saturday: 9am - 5:30pm

On Saturday, there is a satellite registration counter in the Vineyard Tower. You can print your badge there if you are attending a Deep Dive Pre-conference class. Staff will be on hand to assist with all your registration needs.

An All-Access Pass gives you access to everything at Imaging USA! You can attend all of the classes, visit the Expo at your leisure and attend any of the awesome after-parties.

The Expo Plus Pass gives you access to the IPC Live Judging on Saturday, the tradeshow/Expo portion of the convention for all three days, plus the opening keynote presentation and the Sunday night Networking Avenue event. There are hundreds of exhibitors to visit and explore, as well as to the International Photographic Competition Exhibit area.
The Expo Plus Pass does not include entry into the parties or classes that don’t take place on the trade show floor. Feel free to upgrade to a Full-Access pass onsite, at Registration, or by phone by calling PPA's customer service at 800-786-6277.

There are two types of badges given to exhibitors:

Exhibitor All-Access Badge: This gets you just about anywhere. You'll be allowed all of the privileges of an All-Access Pass (parties, classes, etc.) as well as on the Expo floor before the official opening hours to set up and tear down your booth.

Exhibitor Expo Only Badge: This gets the badge holder access to the Expo floor before official show hours, as well as during set up/break down to get ready for your 10,000+ visitors. Please note that it does not include entry into the parties, nor classes. Feel free to upgrade to a full-access pass onsite at Registration or through the official Imaging USA primary point of contact at your company.

Unfortunately, if you lose your badge, there is a reprint fee of $25 for the first badge reprint and $50 for each additional reprint. Stop by the main registration area for assistance.

Your badge gives you access to the classes, Expo floor, parties and more, so try not to lose it! 

Admission to the Welcome and Closing Parties is included with your Full-Access Pass. If you have an Expo Only Pass, you can upgrade to an Full-Access badge or purchase an $75 ticket for either of the parties.
You can either purchase your ticket in advance at the Registration area or before each party at check-in.
 

The GIA Ceremony is the live judging of the Final 4 images in the 16 categories and award $26,000 in prizes to this year's top image makers! Anyone can attend, so be sure to bring your friends along to enjoy the show!

The Award & Degree Ceremony takes place Tuesday afternoon and is like a fun graduation for all of your fellow photographers earning awards and PPA degrees. This is a free event to the public, so attendees can bring guests to enjoy the celebration! The attire is formal, so dress to impress. We're talking your fanciest pants.

The Welcome & Closing Parties have food, drinks, and entertainment! Dance the night away with your fellow photographers—and don't forget your camera.

Come experience the excitement of live head-to-head judging in a unique bracketed image competition. Witness talented photographers showcase their skills and compete for a chance to win a share of an impressive $26,000 prize pool and the prestigious Grand Imaging Award.
But the best part? This event is open to everyone! Gather your friends and join us to view the incredible images, cheer on your favorite photographers, and be part of the thrilling action at this year's International Photographic Competition.

No! That is a scam.

It has been brought to our attention that multiple third parties are claiming to represent Imaging USA offering Exhibitors/Attendees "assistance" with hotel bookings. These third parties are aggressively cold-calling and spamming companies whose names appear on ImagingUSA.org. Please be aware, these third parties are NOT IN ANY WAY AFFILIATED with Imaging USA.

Please book your hotel through the links/phone number on the Imaging USA Hotels page. PPA is working through the proper channels to put an end to these hotel scams and apologizes for their deceptive behavior. Here are some of the scams we've heard that you should be aware of:

No one will contact you directly to book your hotel room or offer you a "special discounted conference rate" or “can save you $30.00 off your room rate."

If you receive a phone call from someone wanting to speak to the "tradeshow coordinator or the person who is handling Imaging USA that your company is attending in January," it is a scam, and they are not affiliated with Imaging USA.

If someone emails you claiming to be from Imaging USA's Exhibitor Department, and the email is not from a PPA address, do not share any information with them. The company is not affiliated with Imaging USA.

As a rule of thumb: If it seems suspicious, it probably is.

This is a photography convention after all! We encourage you to bring your cameras to capture all of your moments at Imaging USA. And don't forget to tag #ImagingUSA when you share your images.

If you're a PPA Member, head over to theLoop's Imaging USA community. Not a member? There are always plenty of people looking to find roommates and save money. Check-in with your photography friends and invite them to join you at Imaging USA!

COMFORTABLE! You will be walking around a lot, so this is not the time to wear shoes you haven’t broken in yet or clothes you don’t like wearing for long periods. Now we’re not saying to wear your pajamas, but there is no need to break out your fanciest clothing for our sake.

As for the Welcome Party, people usually wear what they wore during the sessions and Expo. The only real place where you’ll want to dress up is at the Award & Degree Ceremony.

The most important thing you should bring/ wear every day is your badge. This is your way to get into all of the classes, Expo floor, parties, and more, so do NOT forget it.

Yes! Delta airlines and Southwest airlines are offering special discounts to those traveling to Imaging USA. Read more about the discounted flight offerings on our travel page!

A Pre-Convention Class is a class that happens before Imaging USA starts. These will occur on January 30 - February 1. The prices for pre-con vary, but you can see them all on the Pre-con schedule list.
 

Currently, only some of the Bridging the Gap classes are recorded. Copyright protection is a big issue for photographers and instructors alike. Additionally, providing streaming or recording services would shoot your registration fee through the roof. So, until the technology allows us better levels of protection at a very affordable cost (PPA is a nonprofit!), we're holding off on that option.

Applications for speakers must be submitted by February 28 (or February 29 on a leap year) of the year prior to the show. They are reviewed by the Speaker Selection Committee and speakers will be notified beginning in March. Visit the Speaker Application page for complete details. 

All active PPA members earn merits toward a PPA degree for attending all 3 days of Imaging USA and from attending pre-convention classes.

Members earn 2 Service merits for attending all 3 days of the main conference.

Members receive 1 Service merit for attending pre-convention classes. These merits are awarded per day. Members are not eligible to receive more than one merit for multi-day pre-convention classes.

These merits are awarded annually in March following the convention. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.