NSS
4th Annual
Conference
Host the national conversation on sustainability — and put your institution at the center of it.
Host the national conversation on sustainability — and put your institution at the center of it.
Co-hosting the NSS annual conference is a strategic investment in your institution's national presence, cross-sector relationships, and sustainability leadership. Here is what you gain:
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Shape the Agenda. Your representatives join the conference planning committee — directly influencing themes, sessions, and programming in ways that highlight your institution's expertise and regional accomplishments.
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Elevate Institutional Prestige. Being selected as an NSS conference partner signals academic excellence and a genuine commitment to cross-sector collaboration — a distinction recognized nationally.
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Amplify Your Reach. Your institution is featured in 6–10 months of pre-conference promotion reaching NSS's national network. During the event, your faculty, researchers, and students gain direct access to 1,200+ sustainability professionals.
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Build Lasting Collaborations. The partnership opens new pathways for your sustainability units to collaborate directly with NSS — deepening your institution's network, broadening research scope, and amplifying real-world impact.
What is NSS looking for in a Conference Co-host?
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Planning Committee Commitment. Partner institutions must be represented on the planning committee, with a designated point of contact serving as committee chair or co-chair.
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Mission Alignment. All partnering individuals and organizations must align with the NSS mission and values, and commit to supporting that year's conference theme.
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Cost-Share Contribution. Co-hosts are expected to cover a portion of conference costs through in-kind contributions and/or discounted services. No direct funding to NSS is required.
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Venue and Logistical Capacity. The proposed venue must meet NSS facility, accessibility, and sustainability standards
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Interested? Let us know by October 31, 2026
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Express your interest in being a conference co-host - email Cristy Watiins at cristy@thenss.org
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Want to learn more? Download the 2027 Conference Co-host overview:
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The National Sustainability Society (NSS) is pleased to announce its call for nominations to recognize the outstanding contributions of members advancing transformative change in sustainability. These awards honor the people, programs, and teams who exemplify the NSS mission by driving just, resilient, and collaborative solutions across disciplines, sectors, and knowledge systems. Rooted in our values—elevating diverse voices, fostering just transitions, and embracing creativity, intersectionality, and multiple ways of knowing—these recognitions celebrate the essential yet often difficult work of systems change. By highlighting exemplary efforts in sustainability research, practice, and leadership, the awards advance the NSS vision of a thriving, healthy, and equitable future.
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To recognize the diversity of ways in which our members are advancing sustainability, we seek nominations for the following awards:
Additional Guidance
In addition to the award-specific merit criteria, the following limitations apply:
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Accomplishments must have occurred within the last five years.
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Team awards must be inclusive of a U.S. location or at least one U.S.-based partner organization.
Timeline:
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Through July 31: Call for nominations is open
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By August 30: Awardees selected and notified
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October 20-23: Awardees announced and recognized at the Second Annual NSS Conference in South Bend, IN
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Award winners/team representatives are expected to attend the conference, supported by the NSS up to $1000 for travel and accommodation.
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Contacts: Elena Irwin, Awards Committee Chair, irwin.78@osu.edu, and Cristy Watkins, cristy@thenss.org