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What's New

The NAACO Board is working with conference chair Kim Fuller to develop a standout conference in Nashville, TN, USA, in February 2009, and the dates are now on the NAACO web site. More details will...

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Benefits of A NAACO Membership

As a NAACO member you can expand your knowledge of graduation planning, connect to and interact with your peers, share best practices, and learn about vendors unique to the industry. NAACO members also enjoy the following benefits:

Networking and information resources
Professional development opportunities
NAACO listserv
Annual national conference
Directory of members across the United States and Canada
Leadership opportunities

Professional Education

Founded in 2001 by and for commencement planners, NAACO has helped hundreds of commencement and graduation professionals expand their skills in the following areas:

Newcomer education
Crisis communication and planning
Etiquette and protocol
Special ceremonies
Special needs of disabled students
Volunteer management
Celebrating with distance learners
Grad fairs
Privacy issues
Marketing through the internet

The Science and Art of Commencement Planning

Creating an efficient, memorable, problem-free graduation ceremony is both a science and an art. The science involves managing the thousands of details involved in planning even the smallest commencement ceremony, a continuing challenge for the most seasoned planner. The art comes with setting a certain tone and feel for the event, one that leaves graduates and their guests feeling as if they have just taken part in one of the most meaningful ceremonies of their lives. Adding to this challenge is the fact that most college and university commencement planners are flying solo; they have no colleagues on their campuses with whom to consult. That's where the North American Association of Commencement Officers (NAACO) can help.

What's the difference between being a "member" and being an "affiliate?"

Simply that "members" are Colleges and Universities; "affiliates" are the people who have commencement or convocation responsibilities at those institutions.

The more formal statement goes this way: Membership in NAACO is open to post-secondary institutions that handle graduation and commencement ceremonies. Any number of individuals involved with commencement activities at member institutions are eligible to be affiliate members (without additional fees). That's designed to make it easy for those involved in graduation activities to participate in the association.

To become a New Member or an Affiliate (of a paid institutional member) or you can also contact for more information.