Regional Association News
Eastern Communication Association
ECA Convention Explores Pittsburgh in Unique Ways
For this year’s convention, to be held April 25-29, the ECA planning team has sought creative ways to engage with the city of Pittsburgh. Highlights include an outing to see Hamlet, the new biennial Connect Conference, and a trip to see the Pittsburgh Pirates take on the St. Louis Cardinals.
Rhetoric & Public Address Sponsors Theater Outing
On Saturday, April 28, the Rhetoric & Public Address Interest Group will lead a walk to the Pittsburgh Public Theater for an 8 p.m. performance of Hamlet. Ticket holders will meet in the Omni Lobby. On Sunday morning, attendees can join a roundtable scholarly discussion about the performance. For tickets and other information, please check the event page on the ECA website.
Connect Conference to Focus on Learning and Collaborating
The Community College Interest Group will hold the first biennial Connect Conference to bring together scholars and experts for a morning of presentations and workshops devoted to the challenges of teaching in a new media era. The event will be held Saturday, April 28, at the nearby Double Tree Hotel, and is particularly focused on connecting current ECA members with Communication teachers and scholars in the Pittsburgh area.
Ballpark Communication Ecology
The Pittsburgh Pirates and ECA are partnering to take some scholars out to the ballgame on Friday night, April 27. The outing is part of an ongoing examination of ballparks as communicative space and will be preceded by a panel, “The Media Ecology of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ PNC Park,” co-sponsored by the Media Ecology Association and the Applied Communication Interest group.
Tickets are reserved for ECA attendees behind home plate in Section 119 and are specially priced at $40. PNC Park’s surrounding North Shore neighborhood is full of restaurants, bars, and hospitality, making it perfect for pre- or post-game dining and entertainment. Check the ECA special events page for information on how to purchase tickets.
Registration for ECA’s 2018 convention in Pittsburgh is now open. Hotel rooms are going fast, so make your plans today and join us for these incredible events!
Western States Communication Association
The Western States Communication Association held its 89th annual conference in Santa Clara, California, February 16-19. The theme was Mindfulness & Communication, conceived of and planned by President-Elect Brian Heisterkamp. The conference highlighted vibrant participation from undergraduates, graduate students, new scholars, senior scholars, and retired faculty. The conference kickoff panel and the keynote address by Shauna Shapiro highlighted the ways that communication can help us to see more clearly, as well as the ways that our attention and intention inform our experience of communication across areas of the discipline.
President Michelle Holling hosted the annual luncheon, at which time the Association announced several awards. Glendale Community College of Glendale, Arizona, received the 2018 Model Communication Program Award. Matthew Sanders of Utah State University accepted the 2018 Distinguished Teacher Award, Tom Nakayama of Northeastern University was honored as the 2018 Distinguished Scholar, and Mary Jane Collier was awarded the Association’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, for a lifetime of contributions to the Western States Communication Association.
NCA to Discuss LOCs, Disciplinary Advocacy, and Data Resources at Upcoming Regional Conferences
NCA’s elected leadership and National Office staff will be presenting on a variety of panels at upcoming regional association conferences to discuss the NCA Learning Outcomes in Communication Project, describe the Association’s role in disciplinary advocacy, and share NCA resources to support teaching, research, and career development. We hope you’ll join these sessions. And, be on the lookout for the NCA booth at each location.
Southern States Communication Association’s 87th Annual Convention
Nashville, Tennessee
Session: “National Communication Association: Advocacy, Data Resources, and Program Initiatives” | Friday, April 6 | 2:45-4 p.m. | Studio 5A
Central States Communication Association’s 85th Annual Convention
Milwaukee, WI
Session: “National Communication Association: Advocacy, Data Resources, and Program Initiatives” | Thursday, April 5 | 5-6:15 p.m. | Golda Meir
Eastern Communication Association’s 109th Annual Convention
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Session: “Understanding and Implementing Learning Outcomes in Communication” | Friday, April 27 | 12-1:15 p.m. | Conference Center B