2020 NAACO ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE
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Choose Chicago Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
PROUD PARTNERS
2020 Annual Conference: Register Now!
February 10-12, 2020
Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park
Chicago, Illinois
Plan now to join us in Chicago for the 2020 NAACO Conference. The Conference Committee will be working with NAACO member institutions in the Chicago area to plan an educational experience that will highlight the experience and talent of our affiliate members, showcase the resources and expertise of our corporate partners, and spotlight some of the rich traditions that are unique to this incredible city.
Full schedule of events will be posted here when available.
Event Schedule
Times and Sessions are Subject to Change. Further details will be released about each session shortly.
President’s Welcome, Certificate Graduation Ceremony, Conference Chair’s Welcome, and more
Colleges and universities are replete with rituals and ceremonies marking significant occasions in students’ and community members’ lives. Convocations, presidential inaugurations, graduations, and award ceremonies are ceremonies that occur on college and university campuses. Despite the ubiquitous nature of these rituals and ceremonies, those of us who plan and attend these events have limited knowledge of their deeper meanings, the reasons for the notable commitment to their continuation, and the possible meanings conveyed to internal and external community members.
In this keynote, Dr. Kathleen Manning calls upon the anthropological theory of rituals, secular ceremonies, and cultural performances to share ways that traditional ceremonies on campuses can be most richly endowed with purposeful, meaningful messages. The speaker will share her research on campus traditions and connect current day ceremonies with traditional and contemporary anthropological theory to express why the higher education community is so intent on their continuation.
Night Out Event at Buddy Guy’s Legends
“Realistic, simple, actionable steps to create a fulfilled, productive, and engaging life for yourself, framed through Saya’s relatable personal experiences and philosophies. She uses charisma, humor, vulnerability, and a dash of TMI to be a breath of fresh air on universal, age-old topics with which we all grapple. Career! Love! Friends! Community! Finances! Adulthood! So much to get right! Everyone else is perfect! Through her shares about being a success and a failure she lessens overwhelm and creates a-ha moments, inspiration to try the scary, and a proactive perspective that life can be easy and joyful, even with the inevitable periods of suck, if you design it so.
Hotel Information
Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park
200 N Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
Hotel’s Website
NAACO has secured discounted rates for all attendees of the 2020 Annual Conference starting at $159 per night. The special NAACO rate will be offered until January 17, 2020 or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Attendees are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. For any questions or assistance making your accommodations, please contact the
Fairmont Chicago at (800) 441-1414 and refer to NAACO.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
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Dr. Angie TaylorDr. Taylor has a long history of excellent leadership, people development and community service. Angie is a passionate, energetic presenter and has dedicated her life to making people and organizations better. Fun fact: She was a University of Nevada – Reno’s commencement speaker in 2015.
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Eric Stuart
Stuart is the Director of Gentian Events, a crowd safety management company. He has managed crowds of up to 1.1 million and trained hundreds of crowd safety practitioners across the US, Canada, and the UK. He was the Chief of Staff for the planning and delivery of the 2010 London Olympic Torch Relay. His experience and knowledge will leave all commencement officers with valuable take aways.
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Rick Lozano
In his own unique way, Lozano will amplify your engagement, your impact and your leadership skills. With his guitar and almost twenty years of experience in global talent development, Rick has a lasting impact everywhere he goes. He has built a reputation for his energy, music and refreshing delivery which will provide a memorable end to our conference.
AGENDA
7:30 pm – 8:00 9m Location: International D-F
7:30 pm – 8:30 am Location: International A-C
7:30 pm – 8:30 am Location: International D-F
9:00 am – 9:20 am Location: Dogwood
9:45 am – 11:00 am Location: International D-F
10:45 am – 11:00 am Location: International D-F
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Location: Dogwood
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Location: International D-F
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Location: International A-C
7:30 am – 1:30 pm Location: International D-F
7:30 am – 12:30 pm Location: International D-F
9:00 am – 9:20 am Location: Dogwood
11:30 am – 12:15 pm Location: International A-C
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm Location: International A-C
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm Location: Georgia Institute of Technology
11:00 am – 12:15 pm Location: International D-F
7:30 pm – 8:00 9m Location: International D-F
7:30 am – 8:30 am Location: International A-C
9:00 am – 9:20 am Location: Dogwood
9:45 am – 11:00 pm Location: International D-F
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Location: Dogwood
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Location: International A-C
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Location: Dogwood
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Location: International A-F
PROUD SPONSORS
BECOME A SPONSOR
NAACO offers a variety of high-value sponsorship opportunities for those looking to have a presence in NAACO and at the annual conference. With options for every budget and level of visibility, explore what level is just perfect for you and your company.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Attendees are welcomed to stay at Reno’s only AAA Four Diamond Resort for the 2019 Annual Conference! Book your hotel room now to ensure you capture special rates available exclusively here. Through this website you can book, modify or cancel your hotel reservations at any time and receive updated information about the event. Enjoy slots, table games and poker in the 82,000-square-foot casino and race & Sports book. Resort amenities include a posh 9,900-square-foot fitness center; two beautiful pools and three outdoor jetted spas, heated with on-site geothermal energy; designer boutique shopping, free WiFi Internet access for all guests; Reno’s hottest nightclub, EDGE; 15 bars and lounges, including the iconic Fireside Lounge; and 10 award-winning restaurants offering authentic Chinese, inspired Italian, steaks and chops, seafood, buffet, deli and café dining.
EXHIBITOR INFO
Looking to become an exhibitor at the upcoming conference? Network and connect with attendees at the 2019 conference and showcase your products and services that serve the industry’s community of professionals. Host your very own 10 foot linear space through the 3- day conference alongside some of the biggest names in the commencement and convocations industry. Be front and center with your booth display while also interacting with hundreds of Institutions throughout North America.
NAACO CARES
Since 2004, the NAACO Conference Committee has selected a local charity and asked attendees to make contributions to that organization. Designating a “NAACO Cares” charity is a way for us to demonstrate appreciation for our host city and to honor the work of the charity.
The 2019 Annual Conference Committee has selected the Metro Atlanta Furniture Bank as its charity. The Metro Atlanta Furniture Bank recycles gently used furniture by collecting it from the community and giving it to individuals and families moving out of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or countless others struggling to make ends meet. In addition to making financial contributions, attendees will have the opportunity to assist in building furniture that helps turn houses into homes.
LOCAL ACTIVITIES
Looking to become an exhibitor at the upcoming conference? Network and connect with attendees at the 2019 conference and showcase your products and services that serve the industry’s community of professionals. Host your very own 10 foot linear space through the 3- day conference alongside some of the biggest names in the commencement and convocations industry. Be front and center with your booth display while also interacting with hundreds of Institutions throughout North America.
LIST OF EXHIBITORS
A special thank you to our 2019 annual conference exhibitors! Please take some time to stop by their table, learn what they have to offer our ceremonies and convocations, and make some new connections. See below for a list of who to expect in Reno.
Church Hill Classics
Guidebook
Hague
Medalcraft Mint, Inc.
NameCoach
Paradigm, Inc.
Signature Announcements
Annual Conference FAQs
If your institution is a member of NAACO, all individuals from your institution are considered to be affiliate members and should be able to register for the event at the member rate. Be sure to login before registering to receive the discounted member rate.
Please note that if your membership is not renewed prior to October 1, 2019, you will either be required to pay the difference between member and non-members rates or reinstate your membership to take advantage of the member rate.
Registration includes access to all sessions, meals, receptions and the Night Out included on the schedule (unless noted as an invite-only function).
Single-day registration is subject to approval by the NAACO Board of Directors. Registration can only be used for one day, requests to attend multiple days would result in a full registration fee. To be considered for this option, please contact headquarters at info@naaco.org.
Click here to access the Cancellation Policy.
Registration is limited to those who are associated with an educational institution. Businesses and industry representatives interested in attending are able to do so either by becoming a Corporate Sponsor or exhibitor.
Please coordinate with NAACO’s headquarters office to secure all sponsorship details including your booth, registrations and promotional opportunities. Contact Executive Director, Michael Canino, at mcanino@naaco.org or (609) 297-5926 for more details.
Further sponsorship and exhibitor details will be available soon.
The mobile app will be made available as the event approaches. All registered attendees will be sent an invitation to download when available.
You may reserve your room online at the special attendee rate. For any questions or assistance making your accommodations, please contact the Fairmont Chicago at (800) 441-1414 and refer to NAACO.
Yes, there was an increase in registration fees for both attendees and exhibitors for the 2020 Annual Conference. Based on feedback from members and past attendees, this year’s Annual Conference programming has been extended to include three full days of programming to allow additional opportunities for sessions and networking.
