Performing & Exhibiting at NACA Live
Welcome! You're here because you're interested in performing or promoting your business in front of college programmers & talent buyers from all over the country, and we're here to help you get there!
So How Does This Work? And How Much Will it Cost?
The process and costs associated with exhibiting and/or performing at NACA Conferences will depend on several factors. Let's walk through them step by step!
Step 1: Be an active NACA Associate Member in good standing.
If you wish to attend NACA Live, you must be a national associate member for the 2024-25 membership year. Visit our membership site to find out which membership is best for you.
New to NACA Conferences and need some tips & tricks? Watch this video:
Step 2: Purchase exhibit space.
Whether you're planning to submit material for showcase consideration or promote your goods & services to the college market (or both), you must secure at least one exhibit booth in the Campus Activities Marketplace for each conference you wish to attend. If you are submitting to showcase, your material will not be reviewed by the selection committee if you have not completed this step.
Exhibit booth: $1,345
Note: NACA started using a new process and platform for booth selection. Booths will be purchased through event registration and then booth selection will occur in a new exhibitor platform. In the new platform, you’ll be able to view available booths, potential neighboring exhibitors, confirm exhibitor details, and more. More information on Booth Purchasing & Selection here.
Booth sales open on:
- Sept. 16 – 20+ year members
- Sept. 18 – 10+ year members
- Sept. 20 – All members
Attraction Space: $6/sq. ft.
- If you'd like to purchase Attraction Space, contact Member Relations.
Exhibiting Resources
- NACA Live Exhibitor FAQs (from NACA)
- Exhibitor FAQs and Exhibitor Work Rules (from the Pennsylvania Convention Center)
- Personally Owned Vehicle Guidelines (guidelines for types of vehicles permitted on the show floor)
Step 3: Gather information for your act(s).
For each act you submit, you will need a bio, photo, pricing and other important information.
Use this Showcase Application Prep Resource to prepare this information.
Not planning to showcase? You can skip ahead to Step 5!
Step 4: Submit your showcase application(s).
This is where you specify the performance material you'd like the selection committee to review, which conferences you're submitting for, and which types of showcases you'd like to be considered for. Be sure to review our updated showcase categories before submitting.
Application Fee: $180
Showcase Application Deadline: Oct. 28, 2024
Need some tips & tricks for submitting your showcase application video? Watch this:
Step 5: Register.
A minimum of one full registration is required for each company exhibiting in the Campus Activities Marketplace for each conference. Day passes are also available.
Step 6: Consider submitting an education session proposal.
Presenting is an excellent opportunity, as you share expertise and demonstrate knowledge on topics relevant to students, school staff, and associates. Associate members cannot showcase or be an alternate in any showcase category and present educational sessions marketed to school members, professional staff, and/or students during the same NACA event.
Deadline to Submit Proposals: Oct. 6, 2024
Step 7: Consider sponsorship & advertising opportunities.
We are excited to roll out various conference sponsorship opportunities for associate members. These opportunities are designed to be highly visible and intentional to assist associate members with growing their business and exposure to NACA school members. Want to learn more or ready to sponsor? Contact Toire Vince.
Great! All Done. What's Next?
That all depends. If you didn't submit to showcase, all you have left to do is design your exhibit booth(s)! Make sure you've read the rules of the marketplace to understand what is and isn't permitted. If you're planning to do demonstrations of any kind (close-up magic, etc.), you'll indicate that on the booth information form you'll receive in your booth purchase confirmation email and need to ensure you have the proper insurance and permissions, if needed. Questions about this? Contact Toire Vince at the NACA Office.
Once selections have been announced, you will fall into one of the three categories below:
I got selected to showcase!
Congratulations! You're well on your way to performing in front of hundreds of students and advisors who make the decisions regarding entertainment and programming on their campuses. You will receive a letter of intent, which will need to be returned to NACA along with your showcase fee, to secure your spot on stage.
Showcase Fees
The 2025 NACA Live Associate Guide will include further details on these fees, as well as important deadline, cancellation and refund information.
- Spotlight Low/High - $875
- Speaker/DJ/Variety - $1,315
- Emcee - $2,190
I'm an alternate.
Hey, not bad! While a showcase slot is not guaranteed, there is still a chance that you can end up on stage.
Alternates are listed in order and sorted by showcase category. If a selected act declines their slot or cancels for any reason before NACA Live, the first alternate in that category will be contacted and offered that slot. If they accept, then all remaining alternates will move up one spot in the order. In other words, the second alternate becomes the first, the third becomes the second, and so on. If any alternates ahead of you cancel, you will also move up the list accordingly.
To secure your alternate slot, you will need to return your letter of intent along with the alternate fee. If you get offered a showcase slot, this money will count toward the showcase fee.
Alternate Showcase Fees
The 2025 Associate Guide will include further details on these fees, as well as important deadline, cancellation and refund information.
- Spotlight Low/High - $440
- Speaker/DJ/Variety - $660
- Emcee - $1,095
I didn't get selected this time.
You may not be performing live at NACA Live, but you can still make great connections and even book gigs in the Campus Activities Marketplace! Introduce yourself to campus decision makers, provide examples of your work, and even discuss potential dates during NACA Live. You may be just what a campus is looking for, even if they don't get to see you perform live.
Key Resources
