NACA 2013 Part 2

The Conference Kicks Off

My NACA items

I was handed a drawstring bag containing a booklet listing all the events for the weekend, a pass with my name on it, meal vouchers, and a bag of magic tricks at the conference center when the Student Senate members and I registered for the 2013 NACA Northern Plains Regional Conference on Thursday. The theme of the conference this year was magic, and they called it AbracaNACA.

The first event was the conference kick-off featuring Breaksk8. They are a group of break-dancers who perform on roller skates. You may have seen them on a previous season of America’s Got Talent. The same day we had two showcases featuring musicians, comedians, and poets.

I also went to the first of five educational sessions. The educational sessions are my favorite part of conventions like these because oftentimes you learn tips from other college students. You can learn what works well for them and relate to the difficulties they have.

MPTC magnetic clothespin

For each session you get to choose from a list of topics that may interest you. I went to one about Pinteresting on small campuses. If you didn’t know, Moraine Park Technical College has a Pinterest page, so I felt this topic was relevant. The student presenters explained how they use this social media tool to list different event ideas, team-builders, and to promote their crafting events. They showed us how to make a decorative magnetic clothespin, and we got to make one for ourselves that very day.

Each night of the conference had a special late night event. Thursday night was a live karaoke band. It’s like regular karaoke but better because you get to sing with a band and not prerecorded music. Four of us from MPTC wanted to go on stage and perform, but the event was only an hour so we didn’t get a chance to do it. We got to see some really talented amateurs, though!


Incase you missed it, check out part 1 of my NACA experience:
Read NACA 2013 Part 1: Crossing the Boarder