The National Communication Association Annual Convention is one of the largest gatherings of Communication scholars, educators, and professionals in the world. The NCA 112th Annual Convention will take place November 18–21, 2026, at the New Orleans Marriott, bringing together more than 4,000 academics, administrators, and students from across the country and around the world.

The NCA 2026 convention portal offers three exhibit hall opportunities, plus sponsorship and advertising options:

• General Exhibitors — ideal for publishing companies, university presses, and academic vendors
• Graduate School Open House (GSOH) — for college and university departments showcasing graduate programs
• Career Fair — open to academic departments, publishers, industry employers, and organizations

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities provide additional visibility throughout the convention. Use the menu on the left to explore all options.

• June 30, 2026 — Refund eligibility deadline (General Exhibitors)
• September 15, 2026 — All advertising & sponsorship materials due
• September 30, 2026 — Graduate School Open House booth sales close
• October 15, 2026 — Career Fair booth sales close
• October 19, 2026 — Refund eligibility deadline (GSOH & Career Fair)

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to sales@natcom.org. Processing fees apply: $100 for General Exhibitor booths, $50 for GSOH and Career Fair booths.

• General Exhibitors — by June 30, 2026: 50% refund (minus $100 processing fee)
• General Exhibitors — after June 30, 2026: No refund
• GSOH & Career Fair — by October 19, 2026: 50% refund (minus $50 processing fee)
• GSOH & Career Fair — after October 19, 2026: No refund

All exhibitors and installation/dismantling companies must carry Comprehensive General Liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate, covering bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury/advertising loss, as well as Statutory Workers' Compensation with Employer's Liability.

NCA and the exhibit facility owner must be listed as additional insureds. Any third-party service companies working at your booth must provide NCA with original certificates of insurance at least 10 days before move-in.

Almost certainly not. Unauthorized housing companies — known as "hotel poachers" — have previously contacted NCA exhibitors and attendees offering cheaper rates. This is a scam known as room pirating.

No. Acceptance of an exhibit application does not imply an endorsement of the exhibitor or their products or services by NCA.

The General Exhibit Hall is ideal for publishing companies, university presses, and academic vendors who want to showcase products, publications, and services to the more than 4,000 Communication professionals attending the convention.

• Installation: Wed, Nov 18 · 1:00–5:00 PM  |  Thu, Nov 19 · 7:30–10:00 AM
• Thursday, Nov 19: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Friday, Nov 20: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday, Nov 21: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Dismantling: Sat, Nov 21 · 1:00–3:00 PM

A standard General Exhibitor booth is 10′ × 10′ with an 8′ high draped back wall and 3′ high side walls. The exhibit hall is carpeted. Additional furnishings — including furniture, electrical outlets, signage, and accessories — must be arranged through Freeman Exposition Services at the exhibitor's expense.

Applications must be received by September 15, 2026 to be listed in the convention program book. Space is limited and assigned on a first-paid, first-served basis after convention sponsors have selected their booth space.

No. Exhibitors may not assign, sublet, or permit others to occupy or share their exhibit space without prior written consent from NCA. Any violation will result in prompt removal from the convention.

Not without prior written approval from NCA. All food and beverage functions must be catered by the hotel — no outside food or beverage is permitted. To request approval for an in-booth event or hospitality activity, contact sales@natcom.org at least 30 days before the convention.

Exhibits must be dismantled by 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 21. If an exhibitor fails to remove their materials, NCA will arrange removal at the exhibitor's expense.

The Graduate School Open House (GSOH) is a dedicated event within the NCA Exhibit Hall where college and university departments can connect one-on-one with prospective graduate students. Faculty can discuss programs, admissions requirements, funding opportunities, and more. It takes place on Thursday, November 19 from 1:00–4:00 PM, with setup from 12:00–12:50 PM.

Booth sales close on September 30, 2026. Space is limited and assigned on a first-paid, first-served basis. Payment must be received before a booth is assigned.

Each GSOH booth is 8′ × 8′ with an 8′ high draped back wall, 3′ high side walls, one 6-foot table, and two chairs. The exhibit hall is carpeted. Additional furnishings must be arranged through Freeman Exposition Services. All décor and signage must fit within the 8′ × 8′ footprint and cannot extend into aisles or public spaces.

Yes — every representative must individually register for the convention. No one will be admitted to the exhibit hall without a convention badge, including those setting up booths.

If a representative does not belong to the Communication discipline and would not typically attend the convention, please submit a Guest Speaker Request form by October 15, 2026. Guest registration must be completed by November 1, 2026.

Representatives must only ask questions relevant to an individual's qualifications for graduate study. NCA requires all GSOH participants to comply with federal law, including the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Booths not set up and staffed by 1:15 PM may be forfeited to schools on the waitlist. Please plan to arrive during the setup window (12:00–12:50 PM) to ensure your space is ready in time.

Booth locations may not be near an outlet. If you plan to bring a laptop or other electronic devices, ensure their batteries are fully charged. Electrical service can be purchased from the convention center — contact sales@natcom.org for an order form.

The NCA Career Fair connects employers and academic departments with soon-to-be graduates and communication professionals seeking new opportunities. Each registered booth is designed for one-on-one interactions. The fair also features CV Consulting. It takes place on Friday, November 20, with setup from 8:00–8:50 AM.

• Open session (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Open to all registered convention attendees.
• Invite-only session (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Restricted to candidates specifically invited by exhibiting organizations. Exhibitors should coordinate directly with their invited candidates in advance.

The Career Fair is open to academic departments, publishing companies, industry employers, and any organization seeking to connect with communication professionals. This is broader than the Graduate School Open House, which is limited to academic departments.

Booth sales close on October 15, 2026. Space is limited and assigned on a first-paid, first-served basis. Payment must be received before a booth is assigned.

Yes — all booth representatives must individually register for the convention. No one will be admitted to the exhibit hall without a convention badge, including those setting up booths.

If a representative would not typically attend the convention, please submit a Guest Speaker Request form by October 15, 2026. Guest registration must be completed by November 1, 2026.

NCA requires all Career Fair participants to comply with federal law during all interactions with attendees, including the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Representatives must only ask questions relevant to an individual's qualifications for the position or opportunity being discussed.

Booths not set up and staffed by 9:15 AM may be forfeited to organizations on the waitlist. Please plan to arrive during the setup window (8:00–8:50 AM) to ensure your space is ready before the open session begins.

CV Consulting is a free service offered to registered convention attendees during the Career Fair on Friday, November 20. Four professional consultants are available to review attendees' CVs and provide personalized feedback on formatting, content, and positioning for academic and professional job markets.

No booth reservation is required to offer CV Consulting — it is managed by NCA and takes place within the Career Fair space. For questions about CV Consulting, contact sales@natcom.org.

Yes. NCA offers private event spaces at the New Orleans Marriott and Sheraton New Orleans for exhibitors, sponsors, advertisers, and other organizations. This is a great opportunity to host alumni receptions, networking dinners, department meetings, or staff gatherings.

• Thursday / Saturday: Member $400  ·  Non-member $450
• Friday: Member $500  ·  Non-member $550
• Request deadline: August 12, 2026
• Space assignment notifications begin: September 30, 2026

For questions about event space, contact convention@natcom.org. Submit a request →

• Thursday: 8:30 PM or later
• Friday & Saturday: 7:00 PM or later
• Wednesday & Sunday: No receptions permitted

Meetings (non-reception) may be scheduled 8:00 AM–5:30 PM and after 7:00 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; and 8:00 AM–10:00 PM on Wednesday. All events are limited to 2.5-hour increments.