Two Budgets on Different Clocks
NPC27 runs 6 to 9 February 2027 at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 South Franklin Street. A school leader books a badge and a bed, and the two move on separate deadlines.
Standard registration reads $949 through 5 February 2027 and reads $1,399 after it. The official room block runs $269 to $339 a night. Across four nights the block spreads $280.
The $450 registration step is the larger number. Submit inside the regular window and the room choice becomes the smaller decision.
The Registration Ladder
The association publishes three bands. Early Bird was $699 before 1 October 2026. Regular runs $949 from 1 October 2026 to 5 February 2027. Onsite runs $1,399 after 5 February. Student registration holds $475 across all three.
Early Bird fees had to be paid in full by 30 September 2026. Unpaid registrations were cancelled on 1 October and re-registered at the new rate. That window has closed.
Pre-conference sessions add $200 each, and the two ticketed luncheons add $125 each. The association answers the group-discount question with one word: no. A district sending eight principals gains nothing by consolidating.
Pay by 9 November or Bring a Card
Purchase orders and checks must reach the association by 9 November 2026. The remit address is National Principals Association / NPC Conference, PO Box 640245, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-0245. After 9 November every registration runs on a credit card.
A district that routes registration through its business office starts that paperwork before the deadline.
The Friday Night Comes First
The organiser runs four days. Saturday 6 February opens pre-conference sessions at 8:30 a.m. and closes them at 4:00 p.m., then holds the National Education Leadership Awards Dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. A Saturday arrival misses the morning.
Friday 5 February is therefore the first night a pre-conference attendee needs. The housing portal opens on a Saturday 6 February arrival and a Wednesday 10 February departure, which is four nights. Its arrival calendar accepts 1 February through 9 February, so a Friday arrival sits inside the range.
Five nights at the $269 end comes to $1,345. Five nights at the $339 end comes to $1,695.
The Block: Twelve Properties From $269 to $339
Maritz is the Official Housing Provider, and the portal carries its warning about unaffiliated organisations quoting lower rates with heavier penalties. Rates are single occupancy, and additional occupants may carry additional fees. The figures below are the portal's read on 21 October 2026.
Hotel Tampa Riverwalk is $269 at 0.6 miles. Hotel Flor Tampa Downtown is $339 at 0.5 miles. The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk is $295 at 1.0 mile. Courtyard By Marriott is $299 at 1.1 miles, and Hampton Inn Downtown Channel District is $299 at 0.8 miles. Home2 Suites by Hilton Downtown Channel District is $309 at 0.8 miles.
Six properties sit at $319. Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown is 0.0 miles, Hilton Tampa Downtown is 0.3 miles, Hyatt Place Downtown Tampa is 0.4 miles, Hyatt House Downtown Tampa is 0.5 miles, Aloft Tampa Downtown is 0.6 miles, and Springhill Suites Tampa Downtown is 0.9 miles.
The group route asks for five rooms minimum and sits beside the individual route. The association publishes no group discount.
Two Cancellation Clocks
Registration cancels in writing to the association by 9 January 2027, at $100 per registration. After 9 January the association honours substitutions only, and no-shows receive no refund. The number is 1-800-253-7746, option 8.
Housing runs on the portal's ladder. 12 January 2027 is the last day for a new reservation, a change or a cancellation. A first-night room and tax deposit may be charged on or after 13 January. The portal permits no updates from 13 January through 17 January, and from 18 January the hotel handles changes. Maritz answers on 864-208-3710.
The badge deadline falls three days before the room deadline. Cancel the badge first.
What the Four Days Ask of You
Sunday 7 February runs registration from 7:00 a.m., concurrent sessions 8:30 to 9:30, the opening general session 10:00 to 11:30, and the exhibit hall to 6:30 p.m. Monday runs a general session 8:00 to 9:30, concurrent sessions 10:00 to 12:15 and 2:15 to 4:30, and the hall from 9:30 to 2:00.
Tuesday runs concurrent sessions 8:00 to 10:15 and the closing general session 10:30 to noon. The noon finish sits inside a standard checkout window, so ask for a late checkout in writing rather than paying for a Tuesday night the programme does not use.
Florida Sits Outside the Platform
hotelhuddle.com publishes a seller-of-travel notice dated 21 October 2026. The notice states that booking requests from residents of or for travel to Florida, Hawaii, Iowa and Washington cannot be processed, and names the restriction across grouprooms.org, hotelhaggle.org, hotelslots.org, bookmyteam.org and partners.hotelhuddle.com.
A Tampa stay therefore runs through the official housing portal or the property. Ask the hotel for the rate and the cancellation date in writing.
Five Things to Settle Before You Book
Register before 5 February, and pay by card once 9 November has passed. Edit the housing search to a Friday arrival and confirm five nights. Read the confirmation screen for the arrival date. Diarise 9 January for the badge and 12 January for the room. Get the Tuesday late checkout in writing.