2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Celebrating 100 Years of NMA

NMA marked its 100th anniversary with four days of keynotes, workshops, and recognition at the Houston Marriott Sugar Land in Texas.

View Photos View the Program

NMA members gathered in front of an NMA 100 screen at the 2025 Annual Conference in Sugar Land

October 1–4, 2025

Houston Marriott Sugar Land • Sugar Land, TX

PHOTO GALLERY

Highlights from Our 100th Anniversary Conference

A look back at NMA members gathered in Sugar Land to celebrate a century of developing leaders.

NMA members gathered in a ballroom at the 2025 Annual Conference in Sugar Land

NMA members seated at banquet tables at the 2025 Annual Conference

NMA members posing together in front of an NMA 100 screen at the 2025 Annual Conference

2025 PROGRAM

Conference Schedule

The final program published ahead of the 2025 conference.

DAY 1

Wednesday, October 1

4:30 PM

NETWORKING

Welcome Mixer

DAY 2

Thursday, October 2

8:00 AM

MEAL & BREAK

Opening & Breakfast Buffet

9:45 AM

KEYNOTE

Keynote & McFeely Award

Josh Linkner

12:00 PM

MEAL & BREAK

Hall of Fame Lunch

2:15 PM

WORKSHOP

Educational Session

Spencer Tillman

3:45 PM

NETWORKING

Networking, Headshots & Snacks

3:45 PM

BOARD

Board of Directors & IMC Meeting

DAY 3

Friday, October 3

8:00 AM

MEAL & BREAK

Executive of the Year Breakfast

9:45 AM

WORKSHOP

Workshop

Kristie Stocker

11:30 AM

MEAL & BREAK

Recognition Lunch

2:00 PM

WORKSHOP

Workshop

Shayla Rivera

3:30 PM

KEYNOTE

Fireside Chat

Brady Pyle & Michael Coats

DAY 4

Saturday, October 4

7:30 AM

MEAL & BREAK

Continental Breakfast

8:15 AM

BREAKOUT

NMA Year in Review

9:00 AM

BREAKOUT

Leadership Panel

10:00 AM

BREAKOUT

NMA Leadership Speech Contest

5:30 PM

NETWORKING

Member of the Year Reception

6:30 PM

MEAL & BREAK

Member of the Year & 100th Anniversary Banquet

SCHOLARSHIP & COMMUNITY

37th Leadership Speech Contest & 24th Silent Auction

The Shorey Silent Auction was held in conjunction with the Annual Conference to raise funds for the NMA Leadership Speech Contest, which has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarship funds to student leaders.

Speech Contest

The national finals of the 37th NMA Leadership Speech Contest took place during the conference.

Silent Auction

Attendees supported the speech contest by bidding at the 24th Shorey Silent Auction.

Conference attendees clapping and waving around a meeting table

$500K+

Awarded in student scholarships since inception

See Upcoming Events

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Supporting the Sugar Land Branch Library

2025 CONFERENCE CHARITY

Every year, the NMA Annual Conference strives to leave a positive footprint in the host community by donating to a local cause. The 2025 conference charity was the Sugar Land Branch Friends of the Library.

Part of the Fort Bend County Library System, the Sugar Land Branch Library relies on its Friends group of volunteers, whose fundraising helps support programs for children, teens, seniors, and families.

Visit Fort Bend Libraries

MEMBERSHIP FROM $48/YEAR

A hundred years of leaders started the same way you will.

Individual, company, community, and student memberships available — every one comes with the same network and the same standard of leadership.

Become a Member Compare Membership Types