Safety and Health

To provide a safer environment for our attendees and members, PTK has implemented a policy that limits the types of bags that may be brought into international PTK events. A clear bag will be provided to all registrants.

Below are the compliant bags for PTK events:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC. An official clear PTK registration bag will be distributed to all attendees that are registered for an international PTK event.
• Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the event. The small clutch can be placed inside the clear registration bag or handheld. The small clutch allows privacy for small personal items and is easily searched.
• An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a security checkpoint entrance designated for this purpose.

Yes. Binoculars, phones, cameras, or water bottles can be carried into the event so long as it is not in its own bag. There is not a restriction on items that attendees have been able to bring into the event. It is only a restriction on the type of container used to carry items.

Attendees carrying bags that are non-compliant are subject to random bag searches. This could delay the process of entrance into a General Session or Opportunity Expo.

There will be a separate entrance to allow for security screening of these bags and medically necessary items.

No. We are only limiting the type of bags carried into the event, not the items that you normally bring to the event. Therefore, you can carry items in your pockets or jacket, and you can carry a blanket or jacket over your arms. There will be a separate entrance to allow for security screening of these bags and medically necessary items.

Phi Theta Kappa is committed to providing equal access for all participants of PTK Catalyst. As part of the registration process, we include an opportunity for you to let us know of your accessibility and/or dietary needs. The deadline for notification of any accessibility or dietary needs is March 2, 2026. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please email us at events@ptk.org.

Reasonable dietary, physical, cultural, or religious accommodations will be provided upon request if Phi Theta Kappa is given adequate time to secure the requested services, the services are available within the requested time period, and the requested accommodation does not result in an undue hardship as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) (“action requiring significant difficulty or expense”), or as otherwise limited by ADA.

Learn more infomation about accessibility at the Baltimore Convention Center HERE.

These services are provided by a third-party vendor and are subject to availability. Equipment may be reserved at the attendee’s own expense. Phi Theta Kappa cannot guarantee availability. 

The third-party vendor’s contact information will be available very soon.

Exposure to flashing lights at certain intensities or to certain visual patterns has been known to trigger seizures. While many factors must combine to produce a reaction, persons are advised that graphic and audiovisual effects are used in the General Sessions. When producing these effects, care is taken to limit frequency of flashes and contrasts with background lighting.

A room dedicated to those who have sensory sensitivities will be available at the Baltimore Convention Center. The room number will be updated here as the event nears. Signage will also direct to this room at the event.

Persons may not bring alcohol or controlled substances into any Catalyst event. Courteous, professional behavior is expected. Persons exhibiting inappropriate behavior will be asked to leave.

The Baltimore Convention Center is a smoke-free facility. Attendees may smoke in designated smoking areas outside the building.