By Deana Williamson (TX)

As we get closer to August, I’ve found myself thinking about what makes an NCACC conference special. As the local host for this year’s conference, I’ve spent the past several months planning for your visit to Austin—working through everything from educational programming and evening events to hotel logistics and sponsorships. While I’m excited to share our city, our history, our music, and our Texas hospitality with colleagues from across the country, when I think back on the conferences I’ve attended over the years, the destination is rarely what I remember most.

What I remember are the people.

I remember meeting clerks who generously shared ideas, forms, policies, and solutions to challenges that seemed unique to my court until I discovered others were facing the same issues. I remember conversations between sessions, lunches that turned into brainstorming sessions, and friendships that continued long after the conference ended. Like many of you, some of the people I first met through NCACC have become the colleagues I call when I need advice and the friends I look forward to seeing each year.

For those considering attending their first NCACC conference, I can honestly say that this organization is one of the most welcoming professional groups I’ve ever been a part of. It doesn’t matter whether you come from a large appellate court or a small one, whether you’ve been a clerk for twenty years or twenty days. There is always someone willing to answer a question, share an idea, or help you navigate a challenge.

That spirit of collaboration is one of the reasons we were excited to bring the conference to Austin. As plans have come together, our goal has been to create opportunities not only for learning, but also for connection. The educational sessions will provide valuable information on issues facing appellate courts today, but some of the most meaningful moments often happen outside the meeting rooms. Whether it’s talking with colleagues during a meal, exploring Austin together, or simply catching up with old friends, those interactions are what make NCACC more than just another professional conference.

And while we’re certainly proud of what Austin has to offer—from live music and great food to the Texas State Capitol and our evening events at the Bullock Museum and Circuit of the Americas—we’re even more excited about welcoming the people who make NCACC such a remarkable organization.

If you’ve been thinking about attending, now is the time to make your plans. The conference room block at The LINE Hotel closes on July 10, 2026, and we encourage everyone to reserve their rooms as soon as possible. If you haven’t registered yet, please do so soon so we can continue planning for what promises to be a fantastic week.

Whether you’re a longtime NCACC member or considering your first conference, I hope you’ll join us in Austin this August. We look forward to welcoming familiar faces and first-time attendees alike for a week of learning, collaboration, and Texas hospitality.

See y’all in Austin!