52nd annual
National Conference on Student Activities

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 6 TO 8, 2024

We are looking forward to our 52nd annual National Conference on Student Activities (NCSA), which will be held the weekend of December 6-8, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee! YOU are invited to join us for a unique conference that brings together the Advocates, Advisors, Administrators, and Allies of Student Activities for a weekend of learning, networking, and fun! After NCSA 2024, you'll be inspired - and equipped - to make the most significant difference possible in the lives of your students, colleagues, and members of your school community!

Conference Preview Video - CLICK HERE to view the Conference Preview Video shown at NCSA 2023 to introduce "The Heart and Soul of Leadership" for NCSA 2024 in Memphis!

Letter of Support - CLICK HERE for a letter about NCSA that you can share with your school administration...and please encourage them to join us, too! After all, NA4SA is for "Advocates, Advisors, Administrators, and Allies" of Student Activities!

What can you expect?

The core elements of the National Conference on Student Activities (NCSA) program include:

  • THREE General session keynote speakers!
  • THREE Breakout Workshop sessions with at least 10 choices of topics for each!
  • TWO Table Talks sessions - each with FOUR 15 minute roundtable sharing sessions where you will learn about new materials, methods, projects that can be successfully implemented in middle schools and high school across the nation.
  • PLUS mixers, social activities, and meals that promote networking and fun!

But wait, there's more...

NEW FOR 2024!
At the NCSA, you'll feel like part of a unique community right away - be sure to pack for our daily shirt themes!

Friday December 6 - Rep Your School or State!
Show everyone your pride in where you're from, where you work, or in your State Association!

Saturday December 7 - Regional Color Day!
Wear your Region's designated color to make finding and bonding easy with your fellow Regional attendees - see the map at right to find out which of our four Regions YOU are a part of!

  • Eastern = Red
  • Central = Yellow
  • Southern = Purple
  • Western = Green

Sunday December 8 - Wear Your Passion Day!
Show everyone a true passion you have - it could be a sports team, hobby, or special interest that drives the passion within YOU!

THE FOUR REGIONS OF NA4SA

Links to Information You'll Want & Need!

Keep checking back here for more detailed information on core elements of the 2024 NCSA:

Conference Schedule - CLICK HERE (from August 2024 Reumors)

Conference Strands, Workshops & Table Talks - CLICK HERE (from August 2024 Reumors)

(Optional) Pre-Conference Workshop with Scott Backovich - CLICK HERE (from August 2024 Reumors)

(Optional) Pre-Conference Tour of Memphis - CLICK HERE for more information

NASSCED/NA4SA Speaker Showcase - CLICK HERE for more information (from October 2024 Reumors)

(Optional) Saturday Night Social Event - CLICK HERE for more information

An important part of NCSA is our attendees sharing their experience with fellow Student Activity Professionals! Therefore, we encourage ALL attendees to strongly consider presenting a Breakout Workshop or facilitating a Roundtable for one of the two Table Talks sessions - and yes...you CAN do both!

Workshop Presenter Application - CLICK HERE to open (deadline October 15!)

Table Talks Presenter Application - CLICK HERE to open

Keynote Speakers

NCSA 2024 will feature three outstanding Keynote Speakers who will motivate, challenge, and inspire you as a Student Activities Professional! Learn more about this year's Keynote Speakers below...

Friday December 6
HARRIET TURK

For more than 25 years, Harriet Turk has blazed a trail helping leaders, students, and organizations discover how to reach their full potential and be more successful. With every program, Harriet delivers ideas that are practical with steps that are actionable for everyone in the room.

Harriet Turk thinks differently. She knows the sometimes life doesn’t go the way we plan, and it can be tough to deal with. She shares ideas on how to manage the chaos, focus on what is important, and how to WIN at life and work!

Harriet shares everyday skills that people can use to navigate the turbulent waters of their profession and TAKE CONTROL of their destiny. She helps people break through personal and professional barriers…and become unstoppable!

Think Differently.
Build Relationships.
Become Unstoppable.

Saturday December 7
HEATHER SCHULTZ

So, how did Heather Schultz become a professional speaker? Let her explain in her own words...

My sophomore year at Central Michigan University I moved to Atlanta. Georgia. I accepted a position as a youth director for a non-profit drug prevention youth organization. My new job included training high school and college students from all over the nation to serve as youth leaders, writing and leading workshops, planning and facilitating weekend retreats, and organizing an annual national conference. I wore many hats from workshop facilitator to conference planner. I was also responsible for hiring conference keynote speakers and... this is where my horizons were broadened. I began to watch keynote speakers on stage and in action, and thought, “I would love to do that.” I also noticed there were not many female youth speakers. My first professional conference keynote was in 1989 and I was hooked. I had found my passion and it felt amazing.

I’m a relationship person and put much of my energy into connecting with people. I truly strive to leave every person better than how I found them. I love being a wife, mom, and loyal friend. I enjoy photography, volunteering and shopping. I'm silly, goofy, and have been known to embarrass my friends in public places! I have found my purpose in life... changing lives! I am the author of Live Extraordinary and contributing author to several other books.

Sunday December 8
BOBBY PETROCELLI

Bobby Petrocelli is an engaging speaker, author, educator, and coach. With almost three decades of professional speaking experience he has become a leading voice. Bobby’s contagious zest for life and sincere love for people are communicated through his messages.

Those who experience him leave educated and motivated by his relevant stories and are refreshed by his charismatic personality. He has been described as Real, Relatable, and Relevant as his message screams out, “YOU MATTER, will you be you?”

Bobby has inspired millions through personal, television, and radio appearances along with every form of printed media. He has worked with educational groups, community organizations, professional sports/collegiate teams, and corporations as well as medical groups.

Bobby has been featured on every major TV affiliate along with MSNBC, Lifetime, and the Family Channel. He recently won the prestigious Telly Award for his television appearance on Overcoming Obstacles. He has also authored and co-authored 18 different motivational books with over one million copies in circulation.

 

Hotel Information

HILTON MEMPHIS
939 Ridge Lake Blvd. | Memphis, TN 38120 
(901) 684-6664
Hotel Website

Room rate = $149 + tax for all standard (single king, double queen) rooms

CLICK HERE to book your hotel rooms in our block at the above rate!

IMPORTANT - this link defaults to check in on Thu. 12/5 and check out on Sun 12/8. Please click on “Edit Stay” and select the actual dates of your stay BEFORE checking on room availability, to ensure that ALL available rooms in our block will be shown!

If you need to speak directly with the hotel, please reference group code 921

Barrie E. Finnemeyer Newcomer Scholarship

The NA4SA Board of Directors is proudly continuing the Barrie Elizabeth Finnemeyer Newcomer Scholarship Program, with the intent of honoring long-time member and former NAWD Registrar Barrie Elizabeth Finnemeyer while encouraging new members to discover all that your National Association for Student Activities and its annual National Conference on Student Activities has to offer.

Who was Barrie Finnemeyer? A long time NAWD member and Registrar, Barrie Elizabeth Finnemeyer passed away on May 4, 2017. Barrie was the wife of past NAWD/NA4SA Executive Director Jim Finnemeyer, mother to sons Matthew and Drew, and grandmother to Niya and Zed. A Chemistry teacher at North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Barrie was also a dedicated Student Activity Professional, serving as National Honor Society advisor for 25 years, a host advisor for the 2006 NASC National Conference, and as a long time Registrar for the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils until her passing. Barrie was known for her dedication, love for activities and recruiting others to join state and national organizations that will create stronger and knowledgeable advisors, who in turn will provide students with skills and competencies to become leaders in their school and communities.

Thanks to generous donations, there will be THREE Barrie Elizabeth Finnemeyer scholarships available this year to first time or second time attendees of the National Conference on Student Activities. Each scholarship of up to $500 is designed to cover the conference registration fee and provide some additional funds to cover a day of substitute pay (if needed) or other expenses to attend NCSA 2024.

CLICK HERE to access the online application - the deadline for submitting all applications and the required TWO letters of recommendation is October 31, 2024.

We encourage all first or second time NCSA attendees to consider applying for one of these three scholarships that not only keep the legacy of Barrie Elizabeth Finnemeyer alive but also serve to reinvigorate and expand our NA4SA Professional Community.

Registration Information

Registration for NCSA 2024 is now OPEN! The rates will be as follows:

  • EARLY BIRD $375 - must register by October 31, 2024
  • GROUP $350 - per person when registering as a group of 5 or more from the same school district, workshop/camp, or State Student Council Association by October 31, 2024
  • NASSCED $325 - this rate is available only to members of the National Association of State Student Council Executive Directors who register by October 31, 2024
  • REGULAR $400 - for all registrations from November 1-15, 2024
  • LATE/ONSITE $425 - for all registrations after November 15, 2024

REGISTRATION FORM

All registration for the NCSA is online; payment may be made by credit card at the time of registration or by check (payable to NA4SA) which must be received prior to or at the conference.

CLICK HERE to access the Online Registration Form


EARN GRADUATE CREDIT

Attendees can earn one (1) Graduate Credit through Fresno Pacific University. The cost is $80, payable directly to Fresno Pacific University. For more information, and to register for college credit, you may use the link below.

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for Graduate Credit


Vendors/Exhibitors

The designated Hall of Exhibitors time is Friday December 6 from 12:00–5:00 pm, but Vendors/Exhibitors may also set up on Saturday December 7 from 8:30 am-4:00 pm to engage attendees between conference sessions. The cost is $300 per table.

CLICK HERE for the Vendor/Exhibitor Application Form

NOTE: Vendors/Exhibitors DO NOT have access to meals or conference sessions. To participate in any activities of the conference (beyond being a Vendor/Exhibitor), they must register separately for conference registration.


WHAT ABOUT THE NCSA IN 2025 AND BEYOND?

The 53rd annual NCSA will be held in Grand Rapids, MI on the weekend of December 5-7, 2025. Our conference hotel will be the Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport. More information will be posted about this event on this page in January 2025!

The 54th annual NCSA will be held in Pittsburgh, PA on the weekend of December 4-6, 2026. Our conference hotel will be the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott - Coraopolis. More information will be posted about this event on this page in January 2026!

The 55th annual NCSA will be held in the Western Region on the weekend of December 3-5, 2027. We will be conducting hotel search and selection in October and November, with the intent to announce a host hotel in December 2025.

Our Friends, Sponsors, & Partners

Please CLICK on the images below to visit their websites!

National Association of Secondary School Principals

2024-2025 PLATINUM PARTNER

Work2BeWell

2024-2025 GOLD PARTNER

Cool Speak

2024-2025 GOLD PARTNER

Mike Hall Speaks

2024-2025 GOLD PARTNER

Dynamx Digital

Alliance for Student Activities

Omella

Jostens

Notis

Five Star Students

The Fisher Agency