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!

Save The Date

 

The NAACO 2026 Annual Conference
will take place February 22-25, at the Westin Boston Waterfront (Seaport), Boston, MA!

 

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

  • Working with a State-Run Convention Center 
    • presented by: James Vitagliano, Anna Cottrell, and Gretchen Carney – MGH Institute of Health Professionals
  • Flipping the Script: A Bold New Take on Annual Ceremonies 
    • presented by: Sarah Lawrence of Ohio University Heritage College – Osteopathic Medicine
  • Pomp, Circumstance, and Posthumous Degree
    • presented by:  Kristin McDaniel and Jeff Housman – Texas State University
  • Digital Programs: Streamlining Commencement for a Modern Audience
    • presented by: Angela Grant and Serena Williams – University of Maryland Global Campus
2:30pm–3:00pm Break
3:00pm–4:00pm Education Sessions #2

  • Message in Motion: Settling Communication Goals and Measuring Impact 
    • presented by: Regina Drew and Anna Fetter – New York University
  • From Burnout to Balance: Thriving During Commencement Season 
    • presented by: Lacy Dailey – American Public University System
  • Accessible for All: Accommodating the Needs of Guests and Students at Commencement 
    • presented by: Sam Hesler – Siena University
  • Listening Beyond the Stage: How Post-Ceremony Surveys Improve the Graduation Experience
    • presented by: April Cordonnier – Florida Gulf Coast University (with Tassel)
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

  • Transforming Tradition: Updating the Ceremonial Mace
    • presented by: Kim McDonald and Jessica Tran – Toronto Metropolitan University
  • All Together Now… An In-Person Celebration for Online Grads
    • presented by: Brianne Frazier – ASU Online (Arizona State University)
  • Teamwork Makes the Tassel Turn 
    • presented by: Courtney Buzan and Dana Woodward – University of South Carolina
  • Mapping the Graduates’ Journey: Rethinking Commencement Communication
    • presented by: Robin Roup – University of Tampa
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

  • Spilling the Tea on All Things NAACO
    • presented by: Peter Evans (University at Albany, State University of New York), Patti Gibbons (Elon University), Kristin McDaniel (Texas State University, San Marcos), Angela Ruff (Gonzaga University), Heather Violett (University of Massachusetts Global), and Deanna Zanella (Southern New Hampshire University)
  • Seating Success: How Assigning Tickets Elevated Guest and Staff Experiences 
    • presented by: Linda Werman and Paige Provost – Wentworth Institute of Technology
  • Concise Communications Gets the Message Through! 
    • presented by: Jacqueline Espaillat-Guerrero, Bonnie Duke, Laura Hatmaker, and Dino Rodriguez – Fashion Institute of Technology 
  • Building the Dream Team: Volunteer Management for Graduation Events
    • presented by: Elizabeth Cross – Arizona State University
2:30pm–3:00pm Break
3:00pm–4:00pm Education Sessions #5

  • Inputs, Outputs, and Influence: The Registrar’s Role in Convocation Collaboration
    • presented by: Rachel Huang, Sarah Mooney, and Hollie Pocsai – McMaster University
  • North Carolina A&T State University: This is How We Do It! 
    • presented by: April Cobb – North Carolina A&T State University
  • Ceremony to Community: Strategic Communication for Graduates and Emerging Alumni 
    • presented by: Melissa Goita (Arizona State University) and Fernann Ardis (42Chat)
  • Voices of the Graduates: A Panel on Commencement Traditions and Transitions
    • presented by: Jennifer Kidwell and Deana Gilkinson – Southern New Hampshire University
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

  • Countdown to Zero: Delivering Seamless Ceremonies Through Strategic Planning
    • presented by: Starr Nelson – Western Governors University
  • Behind the Tassels: Structuring Commencement Logistics for Institutional Success
    • presented by: Nicole Luna – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  • Roles, Recruitment, Recognition, & Retention: The 4 Rs of Commencement Volunteer Management
    • presented by: Jennifer Tunnicliffe and Marie Thompson – Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
  • From Print to PDF to Mobile App – Transforming the Commencement Program Experience
    • presented by:  Ester Boloix-Chapman – Loma Linda University
10:30am–11:30am Education Sessions #7

  • Commencement Reimagined: A 5-year Assessment of Major Changes to UAlbany’s Commencement Ceremonies 
    • presented by: Peter Evans, Christy Doyle, and Meghan Wilkinson – University at Albany
  • Investing in Legacy: An Introduction to Convocation Sponsorship
    • presented by:  Santina Arvandi  – York University
  • Now What!? The Hispanic Celebration Edition 
    • presented by: Marissa Tuchalski – Arizona State University
  • Answering Before They Ask: Rethinking Graduate Communications to Reduce Email and Phone Traffic
    • presented by: Arie Gee – UNC Wilmington
11:30am–11:45am Break
11:45am–12:30pm Rapid Wrap-up and Closing Ceremony