Associate Membership
By joining the association for performers, entertainers and companies wanting to get into the collegiate market, your company/agency has access to the largest collegiate experience network, reduce expenditures by benefiting from cooperative buying, and grow your network with college contacts and other companies/agencies. Click on a benefit below to learn more.
We Bring the College Market to You.
- With nearly 800 member schools and 60 years of experience, NACA membership means you have access to one of the largest campus experience networks to use for lead generation.
- NACA hosts 5 conferences and a national convention, NACA Live. These events allow for live entertainment showcases, educational offerings and exhibiting opportunities. Performing and networking in person with the talent buyers and decision makers of their campuses. Don't have a performing act? Don't worry. NACA events have multiple opportunities to increase brand visibility and awareness for your company/agency.
- Want to know what's being talked about on today's college campuses? Join the bi-monthly Associate Chats or ongoing webinars to engage with professional staff, associates, and students on a wide variety of topics.
Save Time. Save Money.
- Save time and money for your company/agency through NACA's cooperative buying system, Block Booking. Member schools in close geographic proximity can book an act for a consecutive series of dates; providing the act the ability to consolidate travel and other costs.
- The NACA® 24/7 online platform is where you can search the college member database for leads and showcase your acts/services. Include your bio, pricing information, videos, and links to your YouTube or Vimeo channel so colleges can see what you have to offer. This technology saves time, energy, and money finding colleges and engaging in contract negotiations.
- NACA® 24/7 can also match your talent and services with schools seeking services/acts that fit their needs when they use the "Call for Acts and Services" feature. Making doing business easier and faster than ever before.
Access Multiple College Departments.
- NACA's school membership is an institution-wide membership – so it covers multiple departments at each college which means access to more buyers in one place looking for your acts, services or products.
- Other higher education associations may only apply to one specific student affairs department or role, limiting your exposure. Benefit from one annual NACA membership that supports your company/agency in reaching multiple departments on campuses that are responsible for programming and events.
Experience Community.
- NACA fosters environments where everyone belongs and can thrive in their careers together through inclusive learning and meaningful connections.
- Use the NACA Connect Community to share and have access to different resources available to all of our associate members as you build your business.
- Attend an Associate Chat webinar every first and third Wednesday of the month. These chats serve as open forums and informative webinars to help you utilize your membership fully, build your professional network, and navigate the college market.
- Interested in being published? Members can submit articles to be published in Campus Activities Programming® Magazine, the NACA Blog, and in the peer-reviewed Journal for Campus Activities Practice and Scholarship.
Member Types & Benefits
National Associate Members can join as a National Agency/Company or a National Single Act and exhibit and submit to showcase at all NACA® Conferences, as well as NACA® Live. National Single Act is designed for solo/self-represented artists. As a National Agency/Company you have the option to join as a Level 1, 2 or 3 depending on the preferred number of showcase caps. This category is designed for agencies that have multiple acts on their roster. National Associate members also have access to our entire directory of member schools. Benefits include:
- Access to all NACA conferences.
- Access to the entire NACA member directory of schools
- Submit your act(s) for showcase consideration at all NACA conferences.
- Must purchase a minimum number of booths and registrations per event you are submitting to showcase and/or attend. Minimum dependent on membership category and level (see below).
- Additional benefits include access to NACA’s digital library, message boards, a copy of NACA’s magazine, recognition as a new member in our bi-weekly newsletter (if you are a new associate member), exclusive marketing opportunities, and so much more!
National Single Act
- Membership Rate: $775
- Must purchase a minimum of 1 booth and 1 registration per event; if you are applying to showcase and/or attend the event. Additional booths and registrations may be purchased.
- Showcase cap (per event): 1 showcase
National Agency/Company Level 1
- Membership Rate: $1030
- Must purchase a minimum of 1 booth and 1 registration per event; if you are applying to showcase and/or attend the event. Additional booths and registrations may be purchased.
- Showcase cap (per event): 3 showcases; 1 alternate
National Agency/Company Level 2
- Membership Rate: $2060
- Must purchase a minimum of 2 booths and 2 registration per event; if you are applying to showcase and/or attend the event. Additional booths and registrations may be purchased.
- Showcase cap (per event): 6 showcases; 3 alternates
National Agency/Company Level 3
- Membership Rate: $3090
- Must purchase a minimum of 3 booths and 3 registration per event; if you are applying to showcase and/or attend the event. Additional booths and registrations may be purchased.
- Showcase cap (per event): 9 showcases; 4 alternates
Regional Associate Members can join as a Regional Agency/Company or a Regional Single Act and have access to the directory of member schools within their region. Regional members can also exhibit and submit to showcase at one NACA® Conference per membership year (May 1-April 30). Regional Associate Members are not eligible for NACA® Live (National Convention). Not sure which region you’re in? Check the regions page to find out. Benefits include:
- Access to one NACA conference per membership year, not to include NACA Live, the national convention.
- Access to the NACA member directory of schools in your region.
- Submit your act(s) for showcase consideration at one NACA conference per membership year.
- Must purchase a minimum of one booth and one registration at the event you are submitting to showcase and/or attend. Additional booths and registration may be purchased.
- Additional benefits include access to NACA’s digital library, message boards, a copy of NACA’s magazine, recognition as a new member in our bi-weekly newsletter (if you are a new associate member), exclusive marketing opportunities, and so much more!
Regional Single Act
- Membership Rate: $325
- May submit your act for showcase consideration to one NACA conference per membership year (not to include NACA Live).
Regional Agency/Company
- Membership Rate: $515
- May submit any/all acts on your roster for showcase consideration to one NACA conference per membership year (not to include NACA Live).
Frequently Asked Questions
What benefits do I get for becoming a member?
By becoming an associate member of NACA, you will have access to our member directory for your region if a regional member or all our regions if a national member. The directory contains contact information for students and professional staff at our member schools. These contacts are usually the key contact for the school for bookings. You also get access to our conferences and convention as well as our webinars, newsletters, Campus Activities Programming® Magazine, and more. Associate members also have opportunities to advertise their businesses throughout our numerous membership and conference publications. Plus, you have the opportunity to engage with other associate members through the Associate Member Community on NACA Connect.
Once I've joined, how long is my membership active?
NACA membership expires on April 30, regardless of when you join. Our member year is May 1 – April 30. Example: If you join on Nov. 15, 2023, your membership period ends April 30, 2024.
Does NACA help me get bookings?
Getting involved with NACA as an associate member will give you greater opportunities to get bookings on college campuses by showcasing and exhibiting at our numerous conferences and our national convention, NACA Live, annually. We also have networking opportunities among agencies if you’re looking for agent representation. The more active an associate member is within the association, the more likely they will be to get bookings across the country.
If I am an independent artist or self-represented, will NACA provide me with an agent?
NACA does not assign agents to represent artists. However, associate members seeking representation may use the online directory of agencies/companies and contact those that they’d be interested in speaking with more in-depth about potential representation.
What is the Associate Advisory Group (AAG)?
The purpose of the Associate Advisory Group is to serve as a resource to the Association, Board of Directors, and office staff. The AAG helps identify trends that may impact the Associate Member experience. AAG facilitates networking and educational opportunities for associate members, which provides value to the membership as a whole.
What is Wasserman Next Gen?
Wasserman Next Gen is NACA’s exclusive marketing partner. As such, a non-compete agreement restricts NACA from extending membership to organizations and businesses that may be perceived as competitive with Wasserman Next Gen's business interests. If you have a question as whether or not you fall into this category, please contact [email protected] before applying for membership.
Who should I contact if I have questions about my membership?
Can I attend a conference just to see what it is like before I join?
NACA events are strictly for members. You cannot attend if you are not a member and do not have a booth.
You can, however, attend Discover NACA, a two-hour tour held one day of the conference for potential members to ask questions and get an overview of the event.
What is Discover NACA?
Discover NACA is a two-hour tour held one day of NACA Live conference (held in Feburary) for potential members to ask questions and get an overview of the event. The tour is conducted by current associate members and volunteers. Please note, Discover NACA is only available at NACA Live. If you are interested in participated in a Discover NACA, contact Michael Hood, Member Development Manager.
Are there any additional costs to attend a conference or NACA Live?
Associate members wishing to attend an event must purchase a registration and booth space in the Campus Activities Marketplace in order to attend (number of registrations and booths vary by membership level).
- Booth Fee (does not include registration)
- Registration Fee (at least one full registration per company is required) – varies by conference
- Optional Add-Ons - additional fees may be charged by the facility for services such as electricity, labor, water, internet, etc.
- Additional insurance may be required based on the attraction/demonstration you are exhibiting.
How do I apply to present educational sessions?
Associate members submitting educational program proposals must have an active NACA membership and also must purchase booth space for submissions to be considered. Associate members cannot showcase or be an alternate in any showcase category and present educational sessions marketed to school member professional staff and/or students during the same NACA event. Educational sessions are a great way to show off your expertise and skills as well as help schools understand how to conduct business with agencies and vendors. Proposals for NACA® Live, NACA conferences, or webinars are available online and have specific deadlines depending on the event.
Can an associate member attend a conference even if they are not showcasing and/or exhibiting?
Associate members are required have a booth and registration (whether or not they are showcasing) in order to attend and participate at a NACA event.
How do I get to perform at a NACA event?
To perform at an NACA event (or what we call "showcasing") you must be a current member of NACA. Showcase application submission deadlines vary by conference. Showcase applicants must have paid an application fee and have purchased at least one booth for the event. If all of these things are not submitted your application will be ineligible for review.
What is the difference between Spotlight High Showcases and Spotlight Low Showcases?
Spotlight Low Showcases include acts that have prices of $1,500 or less. Isolated dates for Spotlight Low can be exclusive of travel, but block prices must include travel. These acts will be interspersed with Spotlight High acts, rather than showcasing together. Spotlight High encompasses all other pricing. Both types of showcases feature established and up-and-coming artists performing for 10 minutes each.
What is the difference between low tech and high tech performances?
Low tech performances include:
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Four or less inputs (either microphone or direct input)
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No pianos
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Minimal tech needs as defined by the Showcase Production Coordinator at your region
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May be required to perform in the front of the curtain on the thrust
High tech performances are any acts that do not fit into the above description.
What happens after I submit my application?
Showcasing acts are selected by a committee of students and professional staff for each conference and NACA® Live. The committee remains anonymous. Results will be posted on the NACA website and you will receive an email directing you to the link on the website. If selected to showcase or as an alternate, there are additional fees involved depending on what you were selected for.
What happens if I'm selected to be a Showcase Alternate?
Alternates will be required to accept their selection by paying the applicable alternate fee. Additionally, alternates should be available for the duration of the event and may get called up at any time (before or during the conference). If an alternate moves up to a showcase, they will need to pay the full showcase fee prior to performing. Any alternates not selected to showcase will receive a refund of their alternate fee.
So, what happens if I don't get a showcase?
If you don’t get a showcase we still encourage members to attend the conference. Your purchased booth will be set up in the Campus Activities Marketplace, which is the exhibit hall. You will still be able to market and promote yourself to the schools and get your name out there.
What if I still don't want to attend?
If you still don’t want to attend the conference, you are eligible to receive a half price refund for the booth purchase up to 30 days prior to the start of the conference. All other fees are non-refundable. Be sure to review each conference's registration & event policies.
What is Campus Activities Marketplace?
The Campus Activities Marketplace is NACA’s exhibit hall/trade show. The marketplace is the center of all business activity conducted during a conference. Face-to-face meetings between school buyers and firms selling the talent, products, or services take place at the various vendor booths in the marketplace. University professional staff members and students visit booths to peruse press kits and product specifications, view video and listen to audio and to check availability of touring artists. There will be a wide diversity of talent and products on display in the marketplace. The exhibit hall is only open during specific hours throughout the conferences. If purchasing a booth you must be able to attend all days of the conference. Preliminary conference schedules are available on our website for you to plan accordingly.
What are booths?
Booths are the vendor spaces located in the Campus Activities Marketplace that display each exhibitor’s business information, products, services, and more. Each firm exhibiting at the event must maintain separate membership in NACA and must occupy separate booth space. Staffing for booths must be employees, artists or hospitality staff registered as delegates of the exhibiting firm. An exhibitor may not advertise, display, exhibit, or sell any talent, products or services not offered by its own company.
Electricity is not provided in the exhibit fee and must be requested and paid for on the form provided to each exhibitor in the service kit which will be sent directly to you 6 weeks prior to the event.
What can I bring into my booth?
You can bring promotional material and TVs, posters, buttons and laptops into your booth. You may not sing or dance in your booth. If you are a singer, it is better to bring a laptop and headphones and have students come into your booth to listen/watch. If you need to have additional equipment, a decorator kit is sent out to all exhibitors.
The following items/activities are not allowed in exhibiting booths:
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Live performances that are not eligible to be considered for booth demonstrations are, but not limited to, live musical/vocal performance, juggling, and/or hypnosis.
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The use of a stage, riser or any type of elevation
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Stickers
Is the registration fee included in my booth purchase?
No, the booth fee and registration fee are separate. With the purchase of the booth, you are required to purchase at least one (1) full registration. Many associate members enjoy purchasing full conference registrations as it heightens their visibility and engagement with other delegates. Anyone else that will be staffing your booth can purchase a day pass. Day passes give you access to everything at the conference for a given day, but they do not include conference meals.