Welcome to NCECA’s 59th Annual Conference, Formation, in Salt Lake City, Utah, March 26-29, 2025. Click to Register Today!

NCECA’s 59th Annual Conference,
Formation, Salt Lake City, Utah,
March 26-29, 2025.

Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center
90 S W Temple St, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101

To find out more about the 2025 NCECA Formation Conference, please continue scrolling down.

Formation, the theme of the 59th annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), invites us to dig deep into the historical and cultural significance of ceramics worldwide. Philosopher and educator John Dewey wrote, “The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.”

Formation is the rhythmic heartbeat that pulses within our construction of self, ever-present throughout nature and represents the beginning of all materials, things, and ideas. The Great Salt Lake region has undergone shifts in climate and geology that manifest formation in notable ways. Teaching, learning, and creation through clay involve continual engagement with formation as action, engagement, and analysis.

Formation orders and reconfigures our understanding of cultural identity, continuity, and change in times of environmental crisis and innovation. Formation is a moment of opportunity – a dynamic process of definition, vision, and determination within individuals, communities, the human-made, and the natural world. This event, centered on ceramic art, will explore formation through exhibitions and presentations by diverse creators and culture workers involved in pottery, sculpture, design and installation, and performance.

2025 Conference Hotel Pricing

2025 NCECA Formation Conference, Salt Lake City

Thank you for booking NCECA Conference Hotels. If you find NCECA hotels are full, please refer to additional travel sites for hotel bookings in the Salt Lake City area, such as Expedia.com and Booking.com. It is best to make the reservation directly with the hotel after researching on a travel site.

Download the NCECA Hotels listing below, updated on September 9, 2024.

Please click to download the NCECA Salt Lake City Conference Hotels PDF.

A limited number of rooms may be available for student groups at a conference hotel. To learn if student rooms are available, please complete the form at this link:

Delta Air Lines Rates for 2025 Conference Travel

Delta Air Lines is offering special rates for travel to the 2025 NCECA Conference.

Use NCECA Meeting Event Code: NM449 when booking your travel. Please click here to book your flights.

You may also call Delta Meeting Network® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code NM449.

*Please note: There is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via Delta's toll-free reservation number. 

NCECA is not liable for bookings or cancellations made through Delta Air Lines and other travel and lodging providers. Please contact the airline and/or hotel directly to resolve any issues.

United Airlines
2025 Conference Travel

United Airlines is pleased to offer discounted fares to National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Conference attendees.

To make flight reservations online, please click button below and use discount code ZQ2R346157.

Southwest Airlines
2025 Conference Travel

Southwest Airlines is pleased to offer National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Annual Conference attendees discounted fares.

To utilize the discount, book via SWABIZ® the button bellow. Discount valid for travel 3/22/2025 to 3/31/2025.

Cancellation and Acknowledgement of Terms and Conditions

  • All pre-registration cancellation requests must be received via email to office@nceca.net by midnight ET (10:00 pm MT) on March 19, 2025. After this date, NCECA does not typically provide registration fee refunds due to illness, travel complications, and/or inclement weather.

    Requests received by March 19, 2025, will receive a 75% refund of the conference registration fee. (Membership is a separate cost and non-refundable.) Those unable to attend the conference may transfer their registration to another individual with a supporting email from the original registrant.

  • While NCECA makes every effort to comply with applicable health and safety measures, we cannot eliminate all risks. You have received, and agree to comply with, NCECA’s Community Guidelines, Respectful Culture, and Privacy Policies.

    NCECA, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to refuse or revoke access to the conference for any lawful reason, including refusal to comply with health-related directives or disruptive behavior. You hereby release NCECA (including its directors, officers, employees, and volunteers) from all claims arising from or related to the conference, except only those which, by law, may not be waived in advance by contract. Registering for this conference signifies acceptance of the Admittance Requirements and of these terms.

    To maintain a conference experience that is safe and enjoyable for all, NCECA asks conference attendees to be prepared to engage cooperatively with security personnel and measures in place at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center.

    Entry to the conference will be more efficient if you carry as few personal items as possible and refrain from using backpacks, oversized purses, and suitcases. Security procedures may include metal detectors, bag searches, and inspection of personal items from pockets. Salt Lake City, Utah, law prohibits carrying firearms, other deadly weapons, and dangerous substances into public buildings. 

    If you've tested positive for a communicable respiratory virus, please do not attend the conference until you are symptom-free and fever-free (without medication) for at least 24 hours.

    Face-masking is optional. NCECA will observe all local guidelines developed by authorities of Salt Lake City, Utah, at the time of the event. This may include requiring all attendees to wear a well-fitting face mask during conference-related events. 

    I acknowledge that I am over 18 years of age, have read and understood the terms and conditions, and agree to follow community guidelines and health and safety measures.

2025 Conference FAQs

  • Pre-registration begins in September and runs through early March, with exact dates varying based on the specific conference schedule. For the most accurate information, please refer to the registration pricing page. Note that all deadlines are set according to Eastern Time (ET).

    Early Bird Registration: September through February 5, 2025

    General Registration: February 6–March 12, 2025

    Onsite Registration: After pre-registration closes, conference registration will be available online starting Monday, March 24, and onsite at the convention center on Tuesday, March 25. Only member and non-member onsite pricing will be offered.

  • Registration grants access to NCECA's scheduled programs, presenters, and events from Tuesday evening through Saturday morning. Free public events include Projects Space, Gallery Expo, Opening Ceremonies and Keynote, Cup Exhibition & Sale, K-12 Exhibition, Past Masters, and Awards and Honors presentations.

    Conference materials included with registration:

    1. Conference bag with inserts from sponsors, organizations, and exhibitions.

    2. Access to the NCECA mobile app with the program schedule and exhibition listings.

    3. Name badge with lanyard.

    Please Note: All print publications will be available for purchase as an add-on during the registration process.

  • No. Conference registration and membership fees are separate. You must be a current NCECA member for member pricing. Registration bundles, which include membership, are available online. Becoming a member often offsets the cost through discounted registration. Click here for more information on membership types and benefits.

  • The conference is a live in-person event and will not be livestreamed but select video content may be available on NCECA's social platforms throughout the upcoming year.

    1. A purchase confirmation email at the time of registration.

    2. An email with policies, travel info, etc.

    3. An email with onsite check-in instructions closer to the conference.

    4. No printed materials will be sent by mail.

    Didn’t receive these emails? Check your junk/spam folder and communication preferences in your NCECA account, then contact the NCECA office if needed.

  • There is no need to sign up for specific sessions or events. All NCECA programming is included with the purchase of a 4-day pass or single-day pass. Seating is on a first-come basis.

    Please Note: Some presentation spaces can be highly attended. Be sure to arrive prior to the start time of the presentations that you most want to see and seek out any available seats. Please make use of any and all available seating, keeping personal items on your lap or beneath your seat, not on the seat next to you. Lingering near doors and aisles presents a safety hazard and obstructs others willing to occupy seats that may be vacant. Expect a request to move if you are in an aisle or doorway.

  • Upon arrival at the convention center, follow signs to NCECA. If you have pre-registered, go directly to the Pre-Registered Express Check-in counter to print out your name badge and receive your conference materials and publications if applicable.

  • 2025 Onsite Registration Hours

    Tuesday, March 25: 12:00 pm–5:00 pm

    Wednesday, March 26: 8:00 am–5:00 pm

    Thursday, March 27:  8:00 am–5:00 pm

    Friday, March 28:  8:00 am–4:00 pm

    Saturday, March 29: 8:30 am–11:00 am

  • Cancellation Policy: Pre-registration cancellation requests must be received by email at office@nceca.net by midnight ET on March 19, 2025, to receive a 75% refund of the registration fee. Membership fees are non-refundable. Cancellation requests received after midnight ET on this date are not eligible for a refund. 

    Volunteers, please refer to the cancellation policy in your confirmation email or contact volunteer@nceca.net with questions.

    All onsite sales are final. 

  • We are happy to help! Please call 303-828-2811 or 866-266-2322 or email office@nceca.net or support@nceca.net.

  • Anything to have an enjoyable and comfortable visit to the conference city. Visit Salt Lake City, Utah

    Check the weather to pack appropriately for NCECA. Visit the convention center website for travel info. We recommend bringing a printed or digital copy (access on a mobile phone) of your purchase confirmation. Full-time college students should bring a school ID for onsite registration if not pre-registered.

  • An Event Name Badge is required to be worn at all times during the conference for entry into the Resource Hall and nearly all NCECA conference programming.

    EVENT NAME BADGE POLICY AND USE:
    The name badge serves as proof of conference registration and is required to be worn at all times for entry into the Exhibitor Resource Hall and nearly all NCECA conference programming. Name badges will be checked upon entry into all NCECA programming rooms and halls. Exceptions include events that are open to the public: Projects Space, Gallery Expo, Opening Ceremonies and Keynote on Wednesday evening, Cup Exhibition & Sale, K-12 Exhibition, Past Masters, and Awards and Honors presentations.

    A single Event Name Badge will be issued to an individual at the time of registration purchase. (Please note: This also applies to multi-day registration.) No badge swapping or sharing is permitted. Violations of this policy will result in a cancellation of registration and/or a penalty fee. Be sure to secure your name badge in a safe place throughout the conference.

  • Lost or misplaced badges will be charged a $30 replacement fee. See onsite registration staff for a replacement. A photo ID is required for replacement.

  • Please email Conference Manager MeLisa Zackery at mzackery@nceca.net. Requests made 30 days before the event start date will be accommodated to the best of NCECA’s capacity.

  • The K-12 exhibition is not organized by NCECA. Visit K12clay.org for more information.

  • The call for volunteer applications opens in November. You can inquire by contacting volunteer@nceca.net.

  • Visit with vendors, schools, and nonprofit exhibitors on the first floor in Exhibit Halls D–E to learn more about products, publications, services, organizations, and schools offering ceramic programs.

    Open Hours:
    Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Friday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
    Saturday – CLOSED

  • Location: Exhibit Halls D–E

    Gallery Expo Hours
    Tuesday 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm (Reception)
    Wednesday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
    Thursday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
    Friday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
    Saturday – CLOSED

    Projects Space Hours
    Tuesday 6:30 pm–8:00 pm (Reception)
    Wednesday 9:00 am–12:00 pm/1:00 pm–4:00 pm
    Thursday 9:00 am–12:00 pm/1:00 pm–4:00 pm
    Friday 9:00 am–12:00 pm/1:00 pm–4:00 pm
    Saturday – CLOSED