By Chris DeGrazio
On four different occasions, I’ve hosted giveaways, mostly for students, at the annual NCRA Conference & Expo.
It started in 2021 when I brought several Legal Grins pins, magnets, stickers, and kitchen towels to the 2021 NCRA Conference in Las Vegas, Nev. I was nervous about asking people I didn’t know if they would want a gift, so I asked colleagues and friends to send students my way while at the Conference. I didn’t even consider calling it a “giveaway” because it didn’t feel that grand. It was self-funded, and it was just me giving gifts to friends in the profession.
Now in 2026 I’m proud to report the tradition is going strong and that I’m able to continue it in my capacity as Co-Chair of the Membership, Marketing, & Outreach (MMO) Committee. The small giveaway I started in 2021, when I was a brand-new reporter, has bloomed into a cherished part of the Conference for students.
At the first giveaway in 2021, I packed the gifts myself and took them with me to Las Vegas. It was a lot of fun packing things that I knew I’d hand out to friends and students I had yet to meet.
Chris DeGrazio (far right)), with students at the 2021 NCRA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, Nev.
In 2022 for the NCRA Conference in Orlando, Fla., armed with experience, I got more organized. I also solicited donations from friends and colleagues, in particular Tari Kramer, RDR, CRR, from Legal Grins, and Diana Ruiz from KLOR. It meant so much to have both Tari and Diana believe in and support this giveaway when it was in its early stages. They have been instrumental in helping the Conference giveaway grow.
The student giveaway at the 2022 Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fla.
At the 2024 NCRA Conference in Louisville, Ky., I was even more prepared. With the help of a promotional flyer, I was able to fundraise and better promote the giveaway to students. 2024 was also an exciting year because it was the first time we offered custom-made items for the giveaway, including some vibrant “Steno Pride” and “In Our Steno Barbie Era” swag made by Sarah Padilla. Bianca Karr, a student from Houston, Texas, also created some colorful and sentimental 3D-printed items.
Having iconic swag like “The Steno Tote,” courtesy of Denee’ Vadell, a reporter from Edison, N.J., and “I <3 Steno” t-shirts from NCRA Director Margary Rogers, RPR, CRI, a CART captioner from Washington, D.C., further helped the giveaway feel more diverse. From stickers and magnets to t-shirts and bags, the giveaway continues to evolve and expand.
The 2024 NCRA Conference & Expo student giveaway included custom-made swag for attendees.
Last year, I collaborated with a few new creatives to produce new and custom swag specifically for the Minneapolis gathering. Collaborating with Amanda Doherty and Erick Sati, CLVS, we played with colors as we re-entered the 3D-printed space. I’ve never had so much fun looking at and picking out color options. Kimmy Pruitt, RPR, CRR, CRC, and Kensie Benoit from “Steno Stories” donated some practice boards as well,
In Bellevue, Wash., this year, and on behalf of myself and the MMO Committee, we are excited to once again offer this special giveaway. And, new this year, we’ll be handing out special gifts to the first few new professionals who arrive. Thanks to Molly Cooper, RPR, from The Record Keeper for your generous donations.
Please come find me near the registration area on Thursday, July 16, at 7:30 a.m., just before the Annual Business Meeting.
If you’re a student and you won’t be at the Conference this year, don’t worry. We’re doing another holiday giveaway in December. Check your JCR Weekly for updates later in the year.
If you’d like to be notified about future giveaways I facilitate, please email me so I can add you to my list. Put “Giveaway” in the subject line.
You don’t have to donate to contribute to the giveaways. Simply posting a giveaway flyer or sharing them with students or other reporters is very helpful.
A special thank you to everyone, past, present, and future, for donating, for sharing the flyers, and for helping to make every giveaway more special and memorable with each passing year.
I hope to see you in Bellevue, because I have a special gift just for you!
Chris DeGrazio is a freelance reporter from Ft. Pierce, Fla. He is Co-Chair of the Next Generation Legacy Committee, and Co-Chair of the Membership, Marketing, & Outreach Committee. He can be reached at sokhacambodian@yahoo.com.
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