You be the Judge
NCA will host its first Children’s Freedom Festival during the 109th Annual Convention in National Harbor, MD. The event, sponsored by First Vice President and Primary Program Planner Marnel Niles Goins, will celebrate communication performance, and introduce elementary school students from the Washington, D.C. area to oral interpretation.
Based on this year’s convention theme, “Freedom,” students will present their interpretation using stories, poems, and songs they choose. The Children’s Freedom Festival will provide students with a safe and inclusive space to gain public speaking experience, practice self-expression, and build confidence. The festival will take place on Friday, November 17 at the convention venue.
NCA members, this is how you can support these young presenters and this year’s convention. Serve as a contest judge. In that role, judges will listen to and provide students with positive feedback on their public speaking skills. If you are interested, please email the Children’s Freedom Festival Director, Christina Wells, christina.wells@cloviscollege.ed. Put ‘Children’s Freedom Festival 2023' in the email subject line.
The Gaylord National Hotel, where the 2023 NCA Annual Convention will be held.
It's Wrap for This Year’s Convention Submissions
When the portal closed March 29 for this year’s NCA Annual Convention submission, more than 3,500 proposals for papers, panels, performances, posters, and special sessions had been received.
“Now that the submission deadline has passed, we are one step closer to our November convention,” said Marnel Niles Goins, NCA Second Vice President and Primary Program Planner for the 109th Annual Convention. “I am excited to see how those who submitted proposals related their work to the convention theme of "Freedom" in very important ways."
Coming in July: Convention Registration and Online Program
Online convention registration will open in July. But you can visit the convention Registration Information page today to review registration rates and what is included. NCA is pleased to again offer discounted/special registrations rates in 2023.