ORLANDO, Fla. — The 2025 National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) Convention, held June 9-11 at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, brought together hundreds of industry professionals for three days of collaboration, learning and professional development.
 
The event opened Monday morning with high energy and purpose as keynote speaker Brittany Hodak, award-winning entrepreneur and author of Creating Superfans, challenged attendees to reimagine fan engagement with intentional experience design. Her message, centered on creating loyalty through connection, set the tone for a convention that placed audience-centric strategies at its core.
 
Monday's opening ceremony also included the "Best Of" awards celebration, where NACMA recognized standout work across all divisions. Virginia Tech was named Marketing Team of the Year for Group 1, Montana took top honors in Group 2, and Minnesota State Moorhead earned the award for Group 3. Montana and MSUM were repeat winners after earning trophies at the 2024 convention.
 
TCU received this year's Unity Award, recognizing the Horned Frogs' exceptional efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion through an innovative marketing campaign.
 
"This year's convention was about more than just sharing best practices. It was about equipping our membership with the tools and confidence to lead in an evolving industry," said 2024-25 NACMA President Markeisha Everett. "The collaboration, creativity and passion on display in Orlando was inspiring, and I'm incredibly proud of how our association continues to grow and adapt."
 
Tuesday morning's general session, "Unlock Your Network," added a dynamic and interactive twist to professional networking, encouraging attendees to build meaningful relationships in fun, fast-paced fashion. The momentum continued into Tuesday afternoon with two impactful general sessions. "Why Stay in the Game?" challenged attendees to reflect on their purpose and persistence in college athletics, while "Winning with Content" explored storytelling's power in driving brand and business growth. Panelists from the NCAA, Orlando Magic, and Wasserman Creators offered practical strategies for content creation, monetization and audience engagement.
 
Incoming NACMA President Zach Dayton emphasized the importance of continued progress: "This convention reminded us that while our industry faces disruption, it also holds incredible opportunity. I'm honored to serve in the year ahead and look forward to building on the momentum created this week."
 
From hands-on workshops to thoughtful discussions on AI, NIL, brand strategy and career development, the 2025 NACMA Convention reaffirmed the vital role marketers play in shaping the future of collegiate athletics.
 
For more information about NACMA and upcoming initiatives, visit NACMA.com.

About NACMA: NACMA provides the tools, training, and network for collegiate sports marketers to successfully generate revenue, manage brands and develop fans. For more information about NACMA, please visit www.nacma.com. NACMA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 60th year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 affiliates that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.