Frequently Asked Questions

IFT FIRST Advance is an exclusive advance-purchase opportunity for eligible 2026 IFT FIRST attendees. It allows you to make a purchase in 2026 that secures a special registration rate for IFT FIRST in 2027. 

After your purchase, you will receive information explaining how to apply your IFT FIRST Advance purchase when registration for IFT FIRST in 2027 opens. 

No. IFT FIRST Advance is an advanced purchase, not early registration. 

You are purchasing access to a designated IFT FIRST in 2027 registration rate. You will still need to complete the full registration process after IFT FIRST registration opens in 2027.

No. An IFT FIRST Advance purchase does not automatically register you for IFT FIRST in 2027. 

Your purchase secures the applicable Advance registration rate. When 2027 IFT FIRST registration opens, you must return to the registration site, enter the required attendee information, apply your unique Advance purchase code, and complete your registration.

A purchase confirmation for IFT FIRST Advance is not an IFT FIRST in 2027 registration confirmation.

2027’s IFT FIRST registration is not yet open. IFT FIRST Advance gives eligible 2026 attendees an opportunity to make a purchase toward their 2027 registration before the full 2027 registration process becomes available. 

Think of it as: 

Purchase now. Register later. 

IFT FIRST Advance is available exclusively to eligible 2026 IFT FIRST attendees. 

Because the offer is being made through the 2026 registration system, purchasers must already have a 2026 IFT FIRST registration account. However, 2026 IFT FIRST attendees can purchase multiple codes to be used for 2027 registrations (Those that use the IFT FIRST Advance codes to purchase registrations do not have to be 2026 IFT FIRST attendees).

IFT FIRST Advance is being offered through the 2026 IFT FIRST registration system. An existing 2026 registration record is required to access and complete the purchase. 

This also allows IFT to offer the opportunity as an exclusive benefit for people who participated in IFT FIRST in 2026.

No. Eligible 2026 IFT FIRST attendees may purchase IFT FIRST Advance, regardless of their current IFT membership status or membership type.

For the 2027 offer, an IFT FIRST Advance purchase secures a designated early registration rate for IFT FIRST in 2027, regardless of the purchaser’s current membership status or type.

Students and emeritus attendees should compare the IFT FIRST Advance rate with the registration rate that typically applies to their attendee category when 2027 registration opens. 

A student or emeritus registration rate may be lower than the rate secured through IFT FIRST Advance. Purchasing IFT FIRST Advance may therefore not be the best-value option for every attendee type.

The anticipated purchase period is: 

November 9 through December 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST. 

Purchases must be completed by the published deadline. Beginning the checkout process before the deadline does not guarantee the purchase unless payment is successfully completed by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31, 2026.

Yes, subject to your organization’s purchasing, reimbursement, and expense policies. 

IFT FIRST Advance may provide a way to put available 2026 professional development, travel, sales, marketing, conference, or event funds toward your plans for IFT FIRST in 2027.

You can describe IFT FIRST Advance as: 

An advance purchase that secures a designated registration rate for IFT FIRST in 2027. The attendee will complete the registration process after the 2027 IFT FIRST registration opens. 

The purchase is not a completed event registration, and it does not include travel, hotel accommodations, additional event tickets, membership, or other optional products.

You will receive a purchase confirmation and receipt after completing the transaction. Keep this documentation for your records and follow your organization’s internal reimbursement or purchasing requirements. 

Your purchase receipt confirms the IFT FIRST Advance transaction. It does not confirm registration for IFT FIRST in 2027.

No. IFT FIRST Advance offers the lowest published registration rates for IFT FIRST in 2027, so it cannot be combined with other promotional codes, discounts, or special offers. Additional codes will not reduce your Advance rate further.

Yes. Payment is made online through the same registration portal you used for IFT FIRST in 2026. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are all acceptable payments. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to join us at IFT FIRST, so if your organization has special payment circumstances, please contact IFT FIRST customer support at registration@ift.org before the purchase deadline and we will work with you.

1. Sign in using the account associated with your 2026 IFT FIRST registration.
2. Select the IFT FIRST Advance offering.
3. Choose the number of Advance purchases you want to make, if multiple purchases are permitted through the checkout. 
4. Review your purchase carefully.
5. Complete payment by the published deadline. (11:59 p.m. CST on December 31, 2026.)
6. Save your purchase confirmation and receipt.
7. Watch for instructions about applying your Advance purchase when 2027 IFT FIRST registration opens.

IFT FIRST Advance is being offered through the 2026 registration system. As a result, your account may display items you previously purchased for IFT FIRST in 2026. 

This is expected. Your earlier purchases remain visible as part of your account history.

No. Although your previous purchases may appear in the checkout record, you will only pay the amount due for the new IFT FIRST Advance purchase or purchases you select. 

Before submitting payment, verify the amount shown as currently due. 

No. Your 2026 registration and prior purchases may appear because you are using your existing 2026 account. The new item being purchased is the IFT FIRST Advance offering associated with IFT FIRST in 2027.

Do not submit payment if the amount due does not match the IFT FIRST Advance purchase you intended to make. 

Take a screenshot of the page, if possible, and contact IFT FIRST customer support at Registration@ift.org for assistance. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 

Be sure to use the email address tied to your 2026 IFT FIRST registration. 

If you’re unable to access the registration site through the link in your email, please contact IFT FIRST customer support at registration@ift.org for assistance. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 

First, confirm that you are signed in using the same email address associated with your 2026 IFT FIRST registration and you followed the link in your personalized email. 

If the offer still does not appear, contact IFT FIRST customer support (registration@ift.org) and provide: 

• Your full name 

• The email address used for IFT FIRST in 2026 

• Your 2026 registration confirmation number, if available 

• A screenshot of the issue, if possible

The purchase covers the applicable 2027 IFT FIRST registration rate associated with the Advance offer.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, IFT FIRST Advance does not include: 

• IFT membership 

• Hotel accommodations 

• Travel expenses 

• Optional event tickets 

• Ticketed sessions or experiences (i.e. Professional Networking Event, etc.) 

• Guest registrations 

• Other add-ons or products (i.e. Expo Tours, etc.) 

These items, if available, must be purchased separately.

No. IFT FIRST Advance does not reserve hotel accommodations. 

Official housing information will be provided separately. Attendees will be responsible for making their own hotel arrangements. 

No. IFT membership is not included. Membership must be purchased or renewed separately.

The Advance purchase covers the designated registration rate only. Additional products and experiences will be selected and purchased separately when they become available.

After completing your purchase: 

1. You will receive confirmation of the IFT FIRST Advance transaction that includes your promotional code. 
2. IFT will provide information about applying the purchase when 2027 IFT FIRST registration opens. 
3. You must return to the registration site after it opens. 
4. You must complete all required attendee information. 
5. You must apply your Advance purchase using the instructions provided. 
6. You must submit the registration to receive an IFT FIRST in 2027 registration confirmation.

You will receive the redemption information needed to apply your IFT FIRST Advance purchase when completing registration for IFT FIRST in 2027. This may include a unique code and specific redemption instructions. 

Keep this information in a secure, accessible location. 

Your 2026 purchase secures the applicable 2027 IFT FIRST rate, but it does not collect all the information necessary to register an attendee for the 2027 event. 

Completing registration in 2027 allows IFT FIRST to collect current attendee information, required acknowledgments, badge details, session or product selections, and any additional information needed for the event.

IFT FIRST will send instructions to the email address associated with the IFT FIRST Advance purchase. The communication will explain how to apply the purchase and complete registration.  

To avoid missing these instructions: 

• Keep your email address current 

• Add IFT FIRST to your approved sender list 

• Check spam and junk folders 

• Retain your Advance purchase confirmation

Contact IFT IFIRST customer support (registration@ift.org) as soon as possible to request an account update. Do not wait until you are ready to register. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.

Contact IFT FIRST customer support (registration@ift.org) using the email address associated with the purchase. You may be asked to verify your identity and provide purchase details before the information can be reissued. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.

You are officially registered for IFT FIRST in 2027 only after you: 

• Complete the 2027 registration form 

• Apply your IFT FIRST Advance purchase 

• Pay for any additional products selected 

• Submit the registration 

• Receive an IFT FIRST in 2027 registration confirmation 

An IFT FIRST Advance receipt alone does not confirm event registration. 

Your IFT FIRST Advance purchase is valid for IFT FIRST in 2027 only. It does not automatically convert into an event registration, so you must complete your 2027 registration according to the redemption instructions and applicable deadlines. 

All IFT FIRST Advance purchases are final and non-refundable, and no credits will be issued. An unused Advance purchase cannot be carried over to IFT FIRST in 2028 or any future year, and it cannot be applied to any other IFT event or product. 

Yes. An eligible 2026 IFT FIRST attendee may purchase multiple IFT FIRST Advance offerings for additional team members who may attend IFT FIRST in 2027.

You do not need to assign every Advance purchase to a specific attendee at checkout. Attendee information will be entered when each IFT FIRST in 2027 registration is completed.

Registration instructions will explain whether the purchaser can complete the registration for another person or whether each attendee must register individually. 

Each registration must ultimately contain accurate information for the person attending IFT FIRST in 2027.

Yes. An IFT FIRST Advance purchase can be transferred to another attendee for IFT FIRST in 2027. The person who redeems it does not need to have attended IFT FIRST in 2026. 

If you purchase multiple Advance offerings, you may distribute them to your colleagues or other attendees. Each person will use the redemption information they receive to complete their own 2027 registration.

Yes. Eligible 2026 attendees may purchase up to 20 Advance offerings. Each Advance purchase can be redeemed for one 2027 IFT FIRST registration, so your purchase can be redeemed only as many times as the number of Advance offerings you buy. 

For example, if you purchase 10 Advance offerings, you may share your redemption information with as many people as you choose, but it can only be redeemed 10 times. Once all 10 have been redeemed, it can no longer be used.

IFT FIRST Advance purchases are final and non-refundable. No cancellations, refunds, or exceptions will be permitted. Advance purchases are valid only for 2027 IFT FIRST and cannot be credited or transferred to a future IFT FIRST event. When 2027 IFT FIRST registration opens, purchasers will receive instructions for applying their Advance purchase and completing their registration process.

Yes. An IFT FIRST Advance purchase can be transferred to another attendee for IFT FIRST in 2027. The person who redeems it does not need to have attended IFT FIRST in 2026. 

If you purchase multiple Advance offerings, you may distribute them to your colleagues or other attendees. Each person will use the redemption information they receive to complete their own 2027 registration process. 

Yes. An IFT FIRST Advance purchase can be transferred to another attendee for IFT FIRST in 2027. The person who redeems it does not need to have attended IFT FIRST in 2026. 

If you purchase multiple Advance offerings, you may distribute them to your colleagues or other attendees. Each person will use the redemption information they receive to complete their own 2027 registration process. 

No, Advance purchases are valid only for 2027 IFT FIRST and cannot be credited or transferred to a future IFT FIRST event or product.

All IFT FIRST Advance purchases are final and non-refundable, and no credits will be issued. An unused Advance purchase cannot be carried over to IFT FIRST in 2028 or any future year, and it cannot be applied to any other IFT event or product. 

Your IFT FIRST Advance purchase secures the designated rate associated with the offer. Membership and any benefits connected to membership are purchased and managed separately.

The value of IFT FIRST Advance is the ability to secure the designated Advance rate during the offer period. Other rates may be available based on attendee category, membership status, eligibility, timing, or promotional activity.

No. IFT FIRST Advance offers the lowest published registration rates for IFT FIRST in 2027, so it cannot be combined with other promotional codes, discounts, or special offers. Additional codes will not reduce your Advance rate further.