Religious Communication Association
RCA 2026 First-Day Conference | Preliminary Information
The Religious Communication Association will hold its 2026 First-Day Conference in conjunction with the National Communication Association 2026 Annual Convention, November 19-22, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
RCA opens its portion of the New Orleans meeting with its annual First-Day Conference on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, one day before the NCA meeting officially begins on Thursday.
This one-day gathering brings together scholars, practitioners, and students to explore the intersections of communication and religion through engaging presentations, networking, and meaningful dialogue. Whether you're a longtime RCA member or new to our community, we welcome your participation.
Program. The First-Day Conference will feature five sessions and 20 separate panels. Check this space again soon for the full program, but here is a summary:
800 to 900am: Conference Opening and Breakfast
900 to 1015am: Panel Session 1
1030 to 1145am: Panel Session 2
1200 to 115pm: Annual Business Meeting and Lunch
130 to 245pm: Panel Session 3
300 to 415pm: Panel Session 4
430 to 545 pm: Panel Session 5
700pm: Annual Awards Banquet and Keynote
Registration: You must register separately for the First-Day Conference. Registration for the NCA convention does not cover the RCA First-Day Conference. Fees to register for the RCA First-Day Conference are:
Faculty and Professional: $150 ($175 after October 1)
Students: $75 ($100 after October 1)
Lifetime RCA Members: $65
Banquet Only: $55
To register for the RCA First-Day Conference, check this space again soon for an online registration form. Your registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a one-year RCA membership and four issues of the Journal of Communication and Religion.
Hotel. The RCA event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center. Check this space again soon for more information.
Questions. For any questions regarding programming, please contact the 2026 RCA-NCA Unit Planner:
James Vining
Communication Studies
Governors State University
jvining@govst.edu
RCA Conference and Call Archive
Each November, RCA holds its Annual Conference in conjunction with the annual convention of the National Communication Association. Scholars are invited to submit competitive papers and panel proposals for consideration. Instructions and guidelines are specified in the annual RCA call for papers.
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