The NAACO 2025 Annual Conference will take place February 9-12, at the Hyatt Regency, Long Beach, CA!
Plan to join us in person for quality education, networking opportunities, and lots of time to share ideas and gain inspiration. Additionally, plan to celebrate 25 years of NAACO excellence at this conference. More details to come!

Virtual Pass
We are pleased to offer a virtual pass option for this year’s content. Most sessions will be recorded and available for viewing after the event. The virtual pass is available a la carte to both attendees and those not coming to Long Beach. The pass will be available as an add-on to your registration.
Join us in celebrating NAACO’s 25th anniversary by supporting the LA84 Foundation’s Play Equity Fund!
Each year, NAACO selects a local organization for which we fundraise in appreciation of our conference’s host city or region. For NAACO’s 25th anniversary, we are proud to partner with the LA84 Foundation and Play Equity Fund. The Play Equity Fund’s mission is to break down barriers to ensure all children have access to the benefits of sports. Now more than ever, our support fuels work to create equal, safe access to play opportunities for every child regardless of race, gender, zip code or socioeconomic status.
By contributing to this initiative, we’re aligning with NAACO’s mission of supporting and celebrating student success. Your donation—no matter the size—will create opportunities for local youth and help level the playing field for kids everywhere.
With over 300 attendees, a small donation can go a long way to meeting our modest goal of $2,500. Your gift of $10 can collectively turn into $3,000, and a $20 donation can become $6,000.
Let’s make a difference together!
Call for Proposals
Deadline Approaching – September 30, 2025
There’s still time to share your expertise at the NAACO 2026 Annual Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Proposals are due Tuesday, September 30.
If you have ideas, strategies, or stories that could inspire and guide fellow academic ceremonies professionals, we want to hear from you.
This year’s focus areas include, but are not limited to:
- Ceremony Planning and Logistics
- Communication and Engagement
- Professional and Personal Growth
All session formats are welcome, from big-picture strategies to practical, detail-driven approaches. Some accepted sessions may also be designated as part of NAACO’s Certificate Program (Level 1: Foundational and Level 2: Applied).
Details at a glance:
- Sessions are 60 minutes long and should include time for the attendee to discuss.
- Presenters will be notified by the end of October.
- Proposal deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
| TIME | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 3:00pm–6:00pm | Registration Open |
| 7:30pm-9:00pm | Pajama Party and Pajama Drive Kick-Off for Cradles to Crayons |
Monday, February 23, 2026
| TIME | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 7:00am–5:00pm | Registration Open |
| 7:30am–7:00pm | Corporate Showcase Open (Break: 3:00-5:00 p.m.) |
| 7:30am–7:00pm | NAACO Booth Open (Break: 3:00-5:00 p.m.) |
| 7:30am–8:50am | Breakfast and Exhibitor Intros |
| 9:00am–9:30am | Opening Ceremony |
| 9:30am–10:30am | Opening Keynote Mary Abbajay on Building Influence & Collaboration |
| 10:45am–11:45am | Connections Networking Activity |
| 12:00pm–1:15pm | Lunch and Roundtable Discussions |
| 1:30pm–2:30pm | Education Sessions #1
|
| 2:30pm–3:00pm | Break |
| 3:00pm–4:00pm | Education Sessions #2
|
| 4:15pm–5:15pm | Regional Meetings |
| 6:00pm–8:00pm | Opening Night Reception |
| 8:00pm–10:00pm | Karaoke Afterparty |
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
| TIME | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 7:00am–5:00pm | Registration Open |
| 7:30am–5:00pm | Corporate Showcase Open |
| 7:30am–5:00pm | NAACO Booth Open |
| 7:30am–8:45am | Breakfast and Roundtable Discussions |
| 9:00am–10:00am | Education Session #3
|
| 10:00am–10:15am | Break |
| 10:15am–11:15am | General Session Beyond 25: Retrospective and Prospective Outlooks on the Transformation of Ceremonies |
| 11:15am–11:45am | Membership Meeting |
| 12:00pm–1:20pm | Lunch and Roundtable Discussions |
| 1:30pm–2:30pm | Education Sessions #4
|
| 2:30pm–3:00pm | Break |
| 3:00pm–4:00pm | Education Sessions #5
|
| 5:00pm–9:00pm | Explore Boston |
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
| TIME | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 7:00am–12:00pm | Registration Open |
| 7:30am–8:50am | Breakfast |
| 7:30am-10:30am | Corporate Showcase and NAACO Booth open |
| 9:00am–10:00am | Education Sessions #6
|
| 10:30am–11:30am | Education Sessions #7
|
| 11:30am–11:45am | Break |
| 11:45am–12:30pm | Rapid Wrap-up and Closing Ceremony |




