The NCA Annual Convention offers several networking and educational opportunities for college and university departments. Learn more about these opportunities below.
The Graduate School Open House will be held on Thursday, November 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the NCA Exhibit Hall, Potomac Ballroom, of the Gaylord National Harbor. The Graduate School Open House is open to all registered attendees.
See below for a list of participating organizations with their available positions along with a layout and booth assignments. This will be regularly updated as other colleges and universities register for the event.
Graduate School Open House Layout & Booth Assignments
For College and University Departments
Contact convention@natcom.org with any questions regarding the Graduate School Open House. Note, if you believe your department is a current member your price in cart should be $200. If you are seeing the non-member price of $350 that indicates your department a. does not have an active membership; b. that membership is currently active but not through December 1; or c. you are not logged into the department member account. If you see the non-member price but wish to register as a member please review your department's membership status or contact convention@natcom.org for additional assistance.
The NCA Graduate School Open House is a fantastic opportunity for colleges and universities to find and interact with prospective students! Every registered department is provided with a booth where faculty members can talk one-on-one with prospective students about their programs, as well as field questions regarding admissions and other requirements. If your department is interested in reserving a booth, please read the following information to make the most of your Graduate School Open House experience.
Q. When is the Graduate School Open House?
The Graduate School Open House will be held on Thursday, November 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The hall will open at 12:00 p.m. to participating departments only to prepare their booths and showcase their materials.
Q. Where is the Graduate School Open House located?
The Graduate School Open House will be held in the NCA Exhibit Hall, Potomac Ballroom, of the Gaylord National Harbor.
Q. Does my department need to register for the Graduate School Open House?
Yes! All departments and their booth representative(s) must register to participate in the Graduate School Open House. Departments will register for the event by submitting a booth registration form.
Individuals who will be representing the department(s) and/or staffing the booth need to register as a convention attendee online through the NCA website. Information and registration prices for individuals can be found on the Registration Information page. All individuals must wear their convention badges in order to gain access into the exhibit hall. Convention registration opens on July 2023.
Q. Does my department need to have a departmental membership to participate in the Graduate School Open House?
Departments are not required to have a departmental membership. However, departments with a departmental membership pay less in booth registration fees than departments without a departmental membership. The department members rate is $200 and the non-members rate is $350. Department membership must be current through December 1 to qualify for the discounted rate.
Q. What is the deadline to register for the Graduate School Open House?
The Graduate School Open House registration deadline is October 13, 2023. Booths have historically sold out before the deadline. Booth assignments are confirmed on a first paid, first served basis. To reserve a booth, both the registration form and proper payment need to be submitted together. Please note that your registration will not be confirmed until both items have been received. When these two items are received and processed, an email confirmation will be sent to the designated contact person with a booth assignment number and other event details.
Q. How are booth assignments determined?
Booths are assigned on a first-paid, first-served basis. This process is carried out until all the booths have been filled. Please note that booths will not be held without payment.
Q. What is provided with each booth?
All the booths are 8 feet by 8 feet and consist of pipe and drape material. Each booth is supplied with one table (6 feet) and two chairs. Departments are encouraged to bring signs, displays, and other promotional materials that fit on a table top surface to showcase their department and institution. Your booth contents may not spill into the aisle or adjacent booths. If you are interested in purchasing an electrical outlet to run to your booth, please email convention@natcom.org.
Q. What materials and supplies do I need to bring with me?
All departments are highly encouraged to bring a table top sign or poster that 1.) easily identifies their institution and/ or department 2.) easily identifies the graduate program. Signs or posters make it easier for wandering Graduate School Open House attendees to recognize which institutions are present. Please remember to bring the necessary supplies to showcase your sign (e.g. pins, tape, easel) and any other common supplies that are needed to display signs and showcase materials.
Q. Will there be a flier/leaflet table at the Graduate School Open House?
No. Table surfaces are only reserved for those departments registered for the Graduate School Open House.
Questions?
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the Graduate School Open House, please contact convention@natcom.org.
The NCA Career Center will be held on Friday, November 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the NCA Exhibit Hall, Potomac Ballroom, of the Gaylord National Harbor. The Career Center is open to all registered attendees. The Career Center will feature the Job Fair and CV Consulting.
See below for a list of participating organizations with their available positions along with a layout and booth assignments. This will be regularly updated as other colleges and universities register for the event.
Job Fair Layout & Booth Assignments
For Employers with Position Openings
Every year, the NCA Career Center attracts many individuals, including soon-to-be graduates and those looking for their next career opportunity. The Job Fair, held during the NCA Career Center, is an excellent way for employers to find and interact with potential employees and colleagues. Every registered department is provided with a booth that is conducive to employers talking one-on-one with applicants. Booth availability is on a first-paid, first-served basis. If your department is interested in reserving a booth, please read the following information to make the most of your Job Fair experience. Note, if you believe your department is a current member your price in cart should be $175. If you are seeing the non-member price of $325 that indicates your department a. does not have an active membership; b. that membership is currently active but not through December 1; or c. you are not logged into the department member account. If you see the non-member price but wish to register as a member please review your department's membership status or contact Arnyae Neal for additional assistance.
Q. Does my department need to register for the Job Fair?
Yes! All departments and their booth representative(s) must register to participate in the Job Fair. Departments will register for the event by completing the Job Fair registration form.
Individuals who will be representing the department(s) and/or staffing the booth need to register as a convention attendee online through the NCA website. Only individuals registered to attend the annual convention may work in your booth. Information and registration prices for individuals can be found on the Registration Information web page. All individuals must wear their convention badges in order to gain access into the exhibit hall. Convention registration opens on July 2023.
Q. Does my department need to have a departmental membership to participate in the Job Fair?
Departments are not required to have a departmental membership. However, departments with a departmental membership pay less in booth registration fees than departments without a departmental membership. The Department Members rate is $175, the non-members rate is $325. Department membership must be current through December 1 to receive the discounted rate.
Q. What is the deadline to register for the Job Fair?
The Job Fair registration deadline is October 31, 2023. To reserve a booth, both the registration form and proper payment need to be submitted together. Please note that your registration will not be confirmed until both items have been received. When these two items are received and processed, an email confirmation will be sent to the designated contact person with a booth assignment number and other event details.
Q. How are booth assignments determined?
Booths are assigned on a first-paid, first-served basis. This process is carried out until all the booths have been filled. Please note that booths will not be held without payment. For departments who have multiple job openings, they may purchase an additional booth in order to meet with potential applicants. Departments will need to provide the position listings before an additional booth is processed.
Q. What is provided in each booth?
All the booths are 8 feet by 8 feet and consist of pipe and drape material. Each booth is supplied with one table (6 feet) and two chairs. Requests for additional chairs cannot be accommodated. Departments are encouraged to bring signs, displays, and other promotional materials that fit on a table top surface to showcase their programs, department, and institution. Your booth contents must fit within your assigned space. You may not extend into aisles or neighboring booths. If you are interested in purchasing an electrical outlet to run to your booth, please contact convention@natcom.org.
Q. What materials and supplies do I need to bring with me?
All departments are highly encouraged to bring a table top sign or poster that 1.) easily identifies their institution and/or department and 2.) easily identifies the titles of their open positions. Signs or posters make it easier for wandering Career Center attendees to recognize which institutions are present and what positions they are looking to fill. Please remember to bring the necessary supplies to showcase your sign (e.g., pins, tape, easel, etc.). All departments are responsible for bringing common supplies that are needed to display signs and showcase materials.
Q. Will there be a job flier table at the Career Center?
No. Table surfaces are only reserved for those departments registered for the Job Fair.
Q. I can't attend the Job Fair. How can I advertise my college or university job openings to Career Center participants?
The online NCA Career Center is a great option for advertising communication-related job opportunities. The site offers useful features for job seekers and employers, including a searchable database of listings, free access to the resume bank, and more. For more information, visit the NCA Career Center.
Questions?
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the NCA Career Center or Job Fair, please contact convention@natcom.org.
Reservations are now open.
Find alumni, former and current colleagues, current students, and future friends together under one roof. NCA offers private areas for departments to host their own reception. NCA will assign a hotel or convention center space and then departments work directly with the hotel catering manager.
By reserving event space, all event hosts agree to follow any local/state/federal guidelines in place in November regarding masks, social distaning, room capacities, food and beverage service etc. and enforce those guidelines among their attendees. At this time, Prince George's County, MD does not have any restrictions in place for gatherings of our size. NCA reserves the right to cancel or modify any reception space assignment based on current restrictions in place in November. If NCA does cancel a reception, a full refund will be provided.
Get the word out about your faculty and department. There is no better way to share your department's latest news and achievements than advertising in the convention program. To learn more about exhibiting and advertising, visit the Sponsor, Exhibitor & Advertiser Information page.