Students, start making plans to attend the 2025 NCRA Conference & Expo in Minneapolis, Minn., this July 24-26. There is so much for you to do and learn, and we break it down for you so you can get ready to make the most of it.
PARTICIPATE
The theme this year is “Elevate your impact” and you can begin making an impact by networking with professionals and fellow students. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet others who are just like you. No one knows what it’s like to go through school like your fellow students and novice and veteran reporters. Just say, “Hi, I’m a student,” and watch your network expand!
Here are some great opportunities to network:
- The Welcome Reception in the Expo Hall is on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. Welcome to Minneapolis! Join your fellow attendees, meeting old and new colleagues from around the country, while you see what all our exhibitors have to offer. Drinks and appetizers will be served.
- The Student Breakfast and Welcome is Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. Yes, it’s early, but worth it! We will provide a Conference overview and give suggestions on the best sessions for students to attend.
- The Expo Hall is full of the latest and greatest products. The exhibitors can also answer your questions. Take advantage of this time to learn what’s out there.
- Join the Stenograph team for a complimentary Happy Hour in the Expo Hall on Friday evening from 5:15-6:15 p.m.
CULTIVATE
Your student registration gets you into all the educational sessions, but here are three that are specifically geared towards students:
Fake It Until You Make It – Discover Your Inner Extrovert – Presenter: Joshua Edwards, RDR, CRR, CRC
What secret weapon can help someone to be more extroverted and to build self-confidence? Their creativity. What is an ideal place for future court reporters to unleash their creativity? A mock trial. In this session student attendees will act out a mock trial complete with opening and closing statements, examinations, and objections (and, of course, realtime). The audience will comprise the jury, which will deliberate and render a verdict. We will save time at the end for reflections. If you are naturally shy, introverted, or nervous about one day working with attorneys, this session is for you.
Quality Mentoring: Making the Most Out of the Student/Reporter Mentoring Relationship – Presenters: Jenny Melius, RPR; Lee Leigh, RPR, CRI; and Vanessa Johns
Join us for this exciting joint reporter/student session to learn why mentorship is valuable for student success. Find out the secrets to what makes a good mentor. Learn why finding a mentor is important and about mentee etiquette. The session will conclude with a fun “Meet-a-Mentor” opportunity.
Depositions 101 – Presenter: Laura Hammargren
Whether you’re a student of court reporting, preparing for your first assignment, or simply wish to learn what an experienced litigator looks for in a court reporter and their transcript, Depositions 101 offers a practical guide to one of the most common and essential aspects of the profession. This session will break down the deposition process from start to finish, including what goes into preparing for a deposition by attorneys and their staff, how they use the reporter’s transcript in their legal proceedings, what they look for in a court reporter, best practices during a deposition, and professional expectations.
See the full schedule of sessions and networking events
CELEBRATE
- After breakfast on Friday let’s head to the Premier Session together to hear Keynote Speaker Kristi Johnson, RPR. A nearly fatal gunshot wound to her back forced Johnson to make some difficult decisions in 1997. Now paralyzed, she faced the choice of letting this catastrophic event define her for the rest of her life or accepting her new reality and digging deep within for the courage and resilience necessary to rebuild her life and reshape her future. Johnson chose the latter. The 2025-2026 NCRA Board of Directors will also be installed during the Premier Session.
- Find out who won the contests and other prestigious awards by attending the Awards Luncheon on Saturday. Celebrate your fellow students and colleagues! The luncheon ticket is included in your student registration.
- Saturday night is the Members Recognition Gala - “Step into the NEW Roaring Twenties!” This year’s gala is a toast to our legacy and a bold cheer for the future. So break out those flapper dresses and zoot suits, shine up your heels and wingtips, and get ready to swing and sway! Let’s have a roaring good time and raise a glass to celebrate YOU, our bold guardians of the record! The student registration covers all networking activities except the Gala but keep your eyes open for an announcement on the mobile app advertising extra tickets to the event for students.
Registration is open now. We hope to see you there!
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