Event Policies
The following policies govern the AE Institute. They were developed in conjunction with federal/state/local laws, venue policies and NAR policies. Sources are listed for each policy, where possible.
General Meeting Policies
Your Name Badge & Access Pass
Your name badge identifies you as a meeting participant and must be worn at all times during the event.
Unauthorized Solicitation and Distribution of Materials
Solicitation of business in sessions and meetings is entirely prohibited.
Distribution of flyers, pamphlets, notices and brochures in any session of the NAR event, without the prior written consent of NAR, is expressly prohibited.
Speaker/Exhibitor Endorsements
The ideas and opinions offered at meetings/educational programs presented during this conference are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position, policy or opinion of the National Association of REALTORS®. The ideas and opinions presented in these education sessions and the products and services promoted by meeting sponsors associated with the conference should not be construed as a recommendation or endorsement of the ideas, opinions, products or services by the National Association of REALTORS®. In issues affecting legal, financial or accounting matters, members should also consult trained professionals to address their individual situations.
Video and Photo Consent
The National Association of REALTORS® will be conducting video recording and still photography of meetings, sessions and events during AE Institute for use in connection with future educational, promotional and marketing activities of the association. Your participation in the event constitutes your consent to be photographed and video and audio recorded and to all uses of the images and recordings so created.
Video and Audio Recording and Photo Usage
NAR reserves the right to restrict audio and video recording and photography at NAR meetings and events at its sole discretion. Restricted meetings may be identifiable by signage or may be enforced through staff and security intervention. Attendees agree to adhere to any restrictions relating to the recording of conference events including, but not limited to, meetings, events, forums, special booth appearances or educational sessions. Failure to comply with such restrictions may result in an attendee’s removal from the venue, without a right of readmission, reimbursement or other compensation. Conducting interviews of any kind with attendees for any publication purposes whatsoever is subject to the Press Access policy and is prohibited unless the interviewer first obtains an NAR-issued press credential through the NAR Press Office.
Press Access
All media representatives must apply for official NAR-issued press credentials and obtain permission through the NAR Press Office prior to entering AE Institute. Advanced approval is required for the recording of any audio or video or photography by applicable media representatives. NAR reserves the right to grant or rescind press privileges to individuals at any time in NAR’s sole discretion, and certain meetings or events may be designated as restricted and unavailable to credentialed media representatives. Official AE Institute badges issued to media representatives by NAR are required to be visible at all times. Violation of this policy may result in the removal of any media representative at the sole discretion of NAR. This policy is intended for broad applicability to individuals and representatives of media outlets including, but not limited to, print (such as newspapers, magazines, and newsletters), online or digital publications (such as journals, articles, blogs and social media), and broadcast outlets (such as radio, television, podcasts and video blogs).
Meeting Policies
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The venue fire marshal reserves the right to close a session when the room has reached maximum capacity. Cell phones should be silenced. NAR reserves the right to remove any guest who is disruptive.
Presentation materials are copyrighted by the speakers, their companies or others from whom they have received permission to use. Written permission from the speaker is required before publishing.
Expo Hall Policies
Strollers are limited to the use of transporting children and are permitted on the trade show floor as long as they do not restrict the aisle passageway. Wagon buggies and roller bags are also permitted as long as they do not restrict the aisle passageway.
NAR is in compliance with the individual facility rules, regulations and restrictions with regards to personal scooters, segways, hoverboards, roller shoes and other alternative modes of transportation.
Green Efforts
The National Association of REALTORS® works with convention centers, hotels, vendors and the meetings industry to provide a more health-conscious and green environment for meetings and to encourage green practices, conservation and recycling at all meetings.
Allergens and Food Safety
Allergens may be present in food served at NAR meetings. It is the responsibility of each attendee to contact the catering staff or show management about specific food allergies. NAR provides a meal request space when registering for most special events in the registration system.
Weapons and Concealed Carry
Please note that the locations in which the NAR event are held are gun-free zones. Attendees are required to adhere to venue policies regarding firearms and weapons and are also required to adhere to all federal, state and local laws regarding firearms.
Statement of Appropriate Event Conduct
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is committed to providing a positive and rewarding experience for everyone associated with an NAR event. In addition to NAR members’ adherence to the NAR Member Code of Conduct, and NAR Leaders’ adherence to the NAR Leadership Pledge, all attendees agree to abide by this Statement of Appropriate Event Conduct by virtue of their attendance at an NAR event. This Statement of Appropriate Event Conduct incorporates by reference the definitions, investigatory procedures and possible discipline contained in the NAR Member Code of Conduct, as applicable.
All attendees (including without limitation NAR members, guests, speakers, exhibitors and vendors) are expected to conduct themselves professionally, to use good judgment and be respectful at all times while present at an NAR event. This includes an attendee’s conduct while physically present at an NAR event, as well an attendee’s conduct on any virtual platform associated with an NAR event.
NAR does not tolerate any inappropriate behavior, including harassment or discrimination in any form. Examples of inappropriate behavior include, but are not limited to, harassing or defamatory verbal or written comments, display or use of graphic images or language, destruction of property, threats, intimidation, unwanted physical contact, unwanted sexual conduct whether physical or verbal or non-verbal, and any conduct, statements or images that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual or group based on a protected characteristic.
Any attendee should immediately report any behavior they believe in good-faith violates this Statement of Appropriate Event Conduct to Jon Waclawski, General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs (JWaclawski@nar.realtor). Please include as much detail as possible, such as the date, time, location, and a description of the incident being reported. Any attendee who believes they are in immediate danger should report the incident directly to the police via 911.
NAR reserves the right to take any necessary and appropriate action against any attendee who violates this Statement of Appropriate Event Conduct, including, but not limited to, cancellation or denial of registration, denial of event access, immediate removal from the event and/or prohibition from attendance at future NAR events. A member found in violation of this Statement of Appropriate Event Conduct or the NAR Member Code of Conduct based on the member’s conduct at or in relation to the event, must self-disclose such findings to the member’s local and state associations within seven (7) days of receiving such finding. Members found in violation of this Statement of Appropriate Event Conduct or NAR Member Code of Conduct agree to release and hold NAR, the Member Accountability Committee and Member Accountability Committee’s counsel harmless for the disclosure to the member’s local and state associations of misconduct findings and any discipline imposed against or pertaining to the member.
We value your attendance and thank you for your cooperation and commitment to ensuring a positive event experience for all.
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
The National Association of REALTORS® is committed to providing a safe, in-person event. All attendees and exhibitors will be asked to agree to the Waiver and Release of Claims during the registration process. A copy of the waiver is below.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS
I desire to and willingly participate in the 2026 AE Institute (Event) hosted by the National Association of REALTORS®, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation (“NAR”) at 430 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611. In consideration of being permitted to attend and participate in the Event, and in recognition of NAR’s reliance hereon, I agree to the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement (“Release”).
I am aware of the risks associated with participation in the NAR Event, including, without limitation, the risk of injury (including death), property damage, and risk of exposure to contagious communicable diseases through my attendance at the NAR Event. I understand that while NAR has implemented measures to reduce the injury risks associated with the NAR Event and the spread of communicable disease, I understand that NAR cannot guarantee that I will not become injured or be exposed or become infected with a communicable disease by attending the NAR Event.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK
NOTWITHSTANDING THE AFOREMENTIONED RISKS, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGERS INVOLVED, AND THAT MY ATTENDANCE INCLUDES THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURIES OR EXPOSURE TO AND ILLNESS FROM COMMUNICABLE DISEASE. I HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND FREELY AGREE TO ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL RISKS OF INJURY, ILLNESS, DISABILITY, DEATH, HARM AND LOSS ASSOCIATED WITH OR ARISING FROM MY ATTENDANCE AT THE EVENT, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OR CONDUCT OF NAR OR ANY RELEASEE HEREUNDER.
RELEASE AND WAIVER
I HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE AND RELEASE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, AND DEMANDS OF WHATEVER KIND OR NATURE NOW KNOWN OR HEREAFTER KNOWN, AGAINST NAR, AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES (COLLECTIVELY, "RELEASEES"), EITHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, AND THAT THIS RELEASE IS INTENDED TO BE AS BROAD AND INCLUSIVE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES OR LOSSES CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR CONDUCT OF ANY KIND ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INJURY, ILLNESS, DISABILITY, DEATH, ECONOMIC LOSS OR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY ARISING OUT OF OR ATTRIBUTABLE TO MY PARTICIPATION IN AND ATTENDANCE AT THE EVENT, WHETHER CAUSED BY OR ARISING OUT OF THE NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR CONDUCT OF ANY KIND OF NAR OR ANY RELEASEES. I COVENANT NOT TO MAKE OR BRING ANY CLAIM I, MY HEIRS, ASSIGNEES, NEXT OF KIN AND/OR LEGALLY APPOINTED OR DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE, MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREINAFTER ACCRUE ON MY BEHALF AGAINST NAR OR ANY RELEASEE, AND FOREVER RELEASE AND DISCHARGE NAR AND ALL RELEASEES FROM LIABILITY UNDER SUCH CLAIMS.
MEDICAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND RELEASE
I confirm and agree that: a) I will not attend the Event if I have a confirmed or suspected communicable disease and have been instructed by a healthcare provider to avoid others; b) I will comply with all federal, state, and local laws, orders, guidelines and directives; and; and c) I will comply with all safety protocols imposed by NAR at all times during the NAR Event.
I HEREBY CONSENT TO RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT DEEMED NECESSARY IF I AM INJURED OR REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION DURING MY PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT. I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT I AM SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS RELATED TO SUCH MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ANY RELATED MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION AND/OR EVACUATION. I HEREBY RELEASE, FOREVER DISCHARGE, AND HOLD HARMLESS NAR AND THE RELEASEES FROM ANY CLAIM BASED ON SUCH TREATMENT OR OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH MY PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT.
INDEMNIFICATION
I agree to indemnify and hold harmless NAR and all other Releasees against any and all claims, actions, suits, procedures, costs, expenses, damages, liabilities, and expenses of whatever kind, including attorney fees, brought as a result of my participation in the Event and to enforce any indemnification right under this Release, and to reimburse NAR and all Releasees for any such expenses incurred.
This Release constitutes the sole and entire agreement of NAR and me with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. If any term or provision of this Release is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this Release or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. This Release is binding on and shall inure to the benefit of NAR and the Releasees and me. All matters arising out of or relating to this Release will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule. Any claim or cause of action arising under this Release may be brought only in the federal and state courts located in Cook County, Illinois and I hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.
BY ATTENDING AND/OR PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT, YOU ARE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN A FULL RELEASE OF LIABILITY TO THE RELEASED PARTIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. BY SIGNING, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS RELEASE AND THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE NAR AND THE RELEASEES.