Read me First
“It will change your life."
"We are a family. It's like a huge family reunion."
"You can't explain it. You've got to experience it."
These statements are common from anyone who has ever attended an NSA Conference. It really is unlike any other conference you will ever attended.
The NSA conferences attract several hundred people each year. We had less than 100 when we begin 1984 in San Francisco close to 900 in Fort Worth, TX in 2011. The conferences are filled with laughter, friendship, support, information, excitement, encouragement, motivation, new ideas, and new perspectives. We are a family, and we treat each other like family members. Imagine, if you will, being in a place where almost everyone stutters. Nearly everyone understands what you're going through; we've all been where you are, had the same thoughts and fears, and had similar experiences. You can walk up to almost anyone and start a conversation and they will understand immediately what's going through your mind.
The conference is held in early July of each year, starting on Wednesday and lasting through Saturday night. A typical conference schedule includes:
Monday or Tuesday: The "old timers" arrive to get a jump on seeing old friends.
Wednesday: The NSA board meeting and some special events are often planned.
Thursday: The Chapter Leaders' meeting, First Timers' event, Opening Ceremonies, and workshops begin.
Friday: Workshops and special events such as city tours are conducted in the evening.
Saturday: Final workshops, the Closing Ceremonies, the banquet, the auction, and the most fun dance in the world.
Sunday: People begin leaving to return to the "real world." Lots of tears.
Sunday evening: The people who stay on often go out to eat and reminisce about everything.
Most official events are scheduled during the day or in the evening, but in truth, this is a 24/7 event. Spontaneous and informal talk sessions spring up continually, and often last far into the night. Sleep is in short supply. People go out to eat, dance, laugh, or explore the town together. Friendships, long lasting and meaningful, begin in minutes, not days or weeks like the norm. It's like nothing you've ever experienced before!
Did it really happen?
"I've attended almost every conference since 1986 except 1992 and 2009. And every time when I get back home, I'll have a very unreal "empty" feeling, generally when I'm mowing the grass, and wonder to myself, 'Did it really happen?' Then I'll look at my conference t-shirt and read my email and talk to both new and old friends on the phone. Yes it really did happen. And I can't WAIT till next year!"
- Russ Hicks, Past President of the Dallas Chapter/ NSA Member of the Year, 2000
See also the Annual Conference section and the conference FAQs.
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