NAIA & NJCAA CONVENTION
Event Dates: April 11-13 & April 13-16, 2026
Event Dates: April 11-13 & April 13-16, 2026
Event Location: Kansas City, MO
NAIA Website: https://www.naia.org/convention/convention-schedule
NJCAA Website: https://web.cvent.com/event/bc8e1216-9101-480e-9dae-d1381379dc5d/websitePage:1f8476a6-3a74-40de-a1ac-4c6534cceb18
NCSA / IMGA Onsite Event Contacts:
Kadero Watson - kwatson@frontrush.com - 804-921-0009
Cecilia Brandon - cbrandon@frontrush.com - 828-242-6301
Sloan Johnson - Sloan.Johnson@imgacademy.com -
NAIA Contacts:
Matthew Honeycutt - mhoneycutt@naia.org - 816-898-1392
NJCAA Contacts:
Chris Haley - chaley@njcaa.org -
NCSA Support Contacts:
Sue Webber - Partner / Events - suewebber@ncsasports.org - 815-690-0495
Mary Ellen Murphy - Front Rush - mmurphy@frontrush.com - 512-680-1103
NCSA Coach Website: https://coach.ncsasports.org/coach/coachrms/login
Front Rush Website: www.frontrush.com
Elevate Website: https://www.imgacademy.com/elevate
Kadero Watson
Cecilia Brandon
Sloan Johnson
NAIA & NJCAA CONVENTIONS
NAIA: https://www.naia.org/convention/convention-schedule
Saturday, April 11
Staff arrive - Check into hotel - booth materials have been shipped to Kadero's home, NCSA Coach handouts included, Front Rush & Elevate handouts need to be printed.
Sunday, April 12
3:00-4p Speaking Session - Julia Lee AB Room (Marriott Hotel tower – 3rd floor) - All Staff
5:15-6:15p Partner Roundtable Discussions - Colonial Room - All Staff
Monday, April 13
8:00-9a Exhibit Hall Setup - All Staff
9a-5:30p NAIA Convention Exhibit Hall Muehlebach Tower, Pre-Function Area (main hallway on the ground floor) - All Staff
1030-1130a Exhibitor Coffee Break (no meetings/workshops during this hour)
Talk Track - Scan the QR Code to win Earphones; setup meeting with Kadero/Cecilia
‘Official North American Recruiting Services Partner’ of the NAIA".
NCSA Coach - free recruiting coach assistant, former college players/coaches connecting athletes who could be a good fit for your program; update your roster needs & recruiting preferences to make better matches.
Front Rush by NCSA - Organize, send and track communications with recruits with our CRM
Elevate by IMG Academy - brings developmental coaching to the entire school or institution and empowers staff with resources and confidence to support student growth consistently, without adding strain to already limited time or budgets
430-530p Exhibitor Hall Happy Hour/Social
430p Kadero takes booth materials to NJCAA Convention to setup*
6-8pm NJCAA Exhibit Hall & 8pm NJCAA Social - Rooftop Bar
6-9p NAIA - All Convention Attendee Reception at No Other Pub (Cecilia & Sloan)
Tuesday, April 14
8a-4p NJCAA Sessions throughout the day - Kadero setup meetings with potential clients
5-7p NJCAA Exhibit Hall - Salon II/III (Kadero & Sloan)
Talk Track - Scan the QR Code to win Earphones; setup meeting with Kadero/Cecilia
‘Official North American Recruiting Services Partner’ of the NAIA".
NCSA Coach - free recruiting coach assistant, former college players/coaches connecting athletes who could be a good fit for your program; update your roster needs & recruiting preferences to make better matches.
Front Rush by NCSA - Organize, send and track communications with recruits with our CRM
Elevate by IMG Academy - brings developmental coaching to the entire school or institution and empowers staff with resources and confidence to support student growth consistently, without adding strain to already limited time or budgets
730-9p NJCAA Convention Social at Puttery
Wednesday, April 15
8a-4p Sessions throughout the day - Kadero setup meetings with potential clients
5-7p NJCAA Social Hour - Optional
730-9p NJCAA Dinner - Optional
Thursday, April 16
10a Speaking Session @ Pavilion VI
12p Optional - Lunch
Afternoon Depart - Kadero to return materials via FEDEX
If you cannot find pre-printed shipping return label use this information:
Premier Warehouse - 1145 Jansen Farm Drive - Elgin, IL 60123
NCSA Account Number: 620430692 (Always select Ground Shipping)
Take picture of FedEx receipt with tracking numbers & send picture to Sue Webber (815-690-0495 or suewebber@ncsasports.org)
Bring technological device (i.e., laptop/charger, iPad, etc.) and notebook
Disclaimer: By confirming your attendance to this event, you are electing to bring your own technological device (i.e., laptop/charger, iPad, etc.) in order to accomplish the desired and stated goals outlined above and in previous email communications and waiving your right to any compensatory amount for damages or loss you may incur either in transit prior to the event, during the event and after the event. Any and all damages incurred to your personal affects is not the responsibility of NCSA and will not be covered by the company or department travel policy previously shared with you.
Event Materials shipped to Kadero: UPS Tracking Number: sent to Kadero
NCSA Tablecloth (1)
NCSA Backdrop (1)
NCSA College Coach Handouts - 50
Table Sign Holder (1)
Pens / Chapsticks
NCSA Table Sign Printouts - Kadero to Print
FR Essentials & Fundraising Handouts - Kylee/Kadero to Print/Bring
Elevate/IMGA+ - Sloan to Bring
Photos of Event - please text/email 2-4 photos to Sue Webber - 815-690-0495 or suewebber@ncsasports.org or post on your personal social media pages and tag @NCSA_Coach, @FrontRush, @CoachPacket & @ncsa (twitter/Instagram)
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Event Goals:
College Coach/Administration In Person Engagements: 50
NCSA Coach - convert inactive/view only users to active users & have coaches sign in/setup new platform
Front Rush & Elevate - setup follow up meetings
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INVENTORY & SHIPPING NCSA PRODUCT BACK TO WAREHOUSE - Kadero
Find & Save shipping return labels (found on side of the box(es), take box(es) to a FedEx with pre-printed shipping return labels.
If you cannot find pre-printed shipping return label use this information:
Premier Warehouse - 1145 Jansen Farm Drive - Elgin, IL 60123
NCSA Account Number: 620430692 (Always select Ground Shipping)
Take picture of FedEx receipt with tracking numbers & send picture to Sue Webber (815-690-0495 or suewebber@ncsasports.org)
RECAP EMAILS send to mmurphy@frontrush.com, suewebber@ncsasports.org,
Event Name / Location / Date(s)
Number of College Coaches/Administrators you talked to, any feedback or info that would be important for Coach Relations, Front Rush, Coach Packet and/or Partner Programs teams to know
Any recommendations that would make a future partner/sport event more successful, pros/cons about the event, engagement with audience, on-site engagement ideas, etc.
Event photos (if not sent during the event). 2-4 photos should be added as attachments to email or texted to Sue Webber: 815-690-0495
SUBMIT POST EVENT SURVEY: https://forms.office.com/r/X3EyJdY20m
Please complete this survey after completion of the event.
PARTNER PROGRAMS SUPPORTING STAFF EVENT GUIDE: CLICK HERE - PLEASE READ
Notes:
Wear an NCSA / Front Rush / IMG Academy Shirt and khakis/athletic pants/dark tights and nice but comfortable shoes
Bring jacket/sweatshirt for convention centers and outside events (sometimes chilly)
Bring NCSA credentials, business cards and lanyard (if you have them)
Bring technological device (i.e., laptop/charger, iPad, etc.) and notebook
Disclaimer: By confirming your attendance to this event, you are electing to bring your own technological device (i.e., laptop/charger, iPad, etc.) in order to accomplish the desired and stated goals outlined above and in previous email communications and waiving your right to any compensatory amount for damages or loss you may incur either in transit prior to the event, during the event and after the event. Any and all damages incurred to your personal affects is not the responsibility of NCSA and will not covered by the company or department travel policy previously shared with you.
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CONCUR EXPENSE INSTRUCTIONS: CLICK HERE - PLEASE READ
Concur expenses should be submitted no later than 7 days after travel. You have $100/day of per diem for meals and can expense any work-related items (must secure an itemized receipt); As a reminder, you are unable to expense alcohol!
When submitting your Concur expenses, please use the following:
Report name: NAIA_NJCAAConvention_2026
Business Purpose: NAIA_NJCAAConvention_2026
Company: NCSA / IMGA
Department: College Tech (Kadero/Cecilia)