NCA 99th Annual Convention

As we come together at this convention to create commonalities and linkages, we have an opportunity to explore the vast array of connections—those that have been made as well as those that haven’t been made, those that should be made as well as those that should not.  How does communication connect us to ourselves, each other, and the world? How does communication connect to other disciplines? How does communication connect us within our discipline? What connections empower us? What connections constrain us? What disconnections should be addressed—because they create dysfunctions, or they point to potential for growth, or they identify fissures of significance? What connections have we not created that we should? What connections prove problematic? What connections create assemblages that deserve attention? When might disconnections prove beneficial?

As an association, NCA offers fellowships, alliances, networks, linkages, catalysts, and assemblies. A key value of a convention is the opportunities it offers to bring us together, both professionally and socially. The convention theme thus focuses on how we relate to each other—as people, as members of the discipline, as educators, scholars, and practitioners, as students and administrators. What can we learn by joining perspectives across areas of communication—media and interpersonal communication, political and religious communication, public address and nonverbal communication, legal communication and social cognition, technologies and the basic course, argumentation and aging and the future, ethnography and ethics, and sundry others too numerous to recount? What social, economic or legal issues might be considered with stronger connections between and among our caucuses? What insights emerge by connecting theory, research, teaching, and service? What networks could evolve beneficially between communication and individuals, organizations, societies, and governments, centered on the role of communicative practice in achieving mutual goals?

In addition, how can the convention itself build stronger, more vibrant connections, of people, units and affiliates, ideas, and institutions? In what innovative ways can we join together, such as roundtables, interactive short presentations, dialogue sessions, debates, rotating topic tables, single featured presentation with multiple responses, or Scholar to Scholar? How can we connect with the bounties of the site—government and nonprofit organizations, international embassies, corporations, media institutions, architecture, history, current events?

Please make connections in communication at this convention in Washington, DC, November 21-24, 2013. NCA Submission Central will open for submissions to the NCA 99th Annual Convention on January 14, 2013.You may access NCA Submission Central now to update and/or create a user record for yourself!

Kathleen J. Turner
Primary Program Planner
NCA First Vice President
Davidson College
 

Quick Links

Convention Resource LibraryPast and Future ConventionsCarroll C. Arnold Distinguished LectureOpening SessionPresidential Address and AwardsFive Years Out