Frequently Asked Questions
2026 NFA ConventionAugust 6-9, 2026
Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
General Convention FAQs
The next NFA Convention will take place August 6 - 9, 2026 at the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Portland, OR).
The convention is for everyone who has an interest in the flute, regardless of profession, ability level, or age. Amateurs, professionals, students, and everyone in between will find something for them during the convention.
Note that an NFA Membership is required to register for the convention. Non-members may purchase tickets for individual sessions in-person at the convention. Non-flutists may attend as guests of an NFA member. Non-flutist guests can purchase a single event ticket or a full convention registration.
The convention features four jam-packed days with over 200 events. A typical day includes group warm-up sessions, recitals, workshops, panels, lectures, competitions, and more. Each session is presented by an NFA member, and you can expect to see a variety of genres, repertoire, and topics.
There is also a large exhibit hall, where businesses from all over the country will be showcasing instruments, music, accessories, art, and services. This is a rare opportunity to try flutes from a variety of makers side by side, or stock up on sheet music for the year.
Each year, hundreds of NFA members submit a proposal to give a performance, lecture, or workshop at the convention. Proposals are reviewed by a committee of NFA members, the Program Chair, and the Assistant Program Chair with a number of criteria in mind, including potential interest to convention attendees and alignment with that year's convention theme.
The 2026 proposal process closed in late 2025, and we are no longer accepting submissions. We encourage you to consider submitting a proposal for our 2027 Convention in Minneapolis, MN. Announcements will be made on social media and through our email list.
That being said, there are still many opportunities to perform at the convention through our participatory flute choirs, reading sessions, and open masterclasses. Details are available in the latest version of the convention schedule.
Yes - we're so glad you'll be there! We will hold a Welcome Orientation at the convention (Thursday, 11am) for first-time attendees to find out more, presented by the 2025 and 2026 Assistant Program Chairs.
Last year, we launched the Convention Mentorship Program, which connects seasoned convention goers to new convention attendees. You can apply for this program here.
Also plan on joining the Myrna Brown Dine-around on Thursday evening to connect with other flutists over a community dinner a local restaurant.
Absolutely!
We offer a number of participatory flute choirs that will rehearse and perform at the convention. After you register, you will receive an email with signup instructions. These ensembles are first-come, first-served, and space is limited, so register early if you'd like to participate.
Also, bring your flute to the closing ceremony on Sunday and join thousands of flutists in our closing tradition, a mass performance of the Bach Air. There will also be a few open masterclasses, reading sessions, and group warm-up sessions where you can play. Check out the convention schedule for details.
There are a few options:
Individuals earning less than $50,000 annually are eligible for our reduced Lower Income Membership and Lower Income Registration price.
If you would like to attend the convention but are concerned about the cost, you are eligible to apply for a full or partial fee waiver through our Convention Registration Scholarship program. These scholarships are open to all flutists, of any age or ability, who are unable to afford the convention.
We also offer payment plans, available to all members, allowing you to spread payments over several months.
We also have some part-time paid work at convention registration to help offset expenses. Information will be available soon.
If you'd like to split the cost of a hotel room, you can use our Roommate Listing page to find a potential roommate.
April 2 Update: A preliminary convention schedule is now available! Please be aware that this schedule is preliminary; there will be changes between now and August. A revised schedule will be published in May, followed by the convention program book in June.
Convention sessions will begin on Thursday morning and last through Sunday evening. You can expect that each day of the convention will be filled with events from morning to night, with sessions taking place during the day and large-format concerts taking place each evening.
There will be a $5 charge for a printed program book. To receive a printed program book, you MUST purchase it at the time of your registration. The pdf version of the program book will be free to download.The convention app, including the full schedule, will also be available in early July.
The latest information on obtaining a US visa can be found on the US State Department Website (external site - link opens in new window). Please be aware that entry requirements for your country may have changed recently. If you are planning to travel to the United States to attend the NFA Convention, we strongly advise that you begin researching entry requirements from your country as soon as possible, as it can take time to complete the necessary paperwork.
While the NFA cannot provide advice on visa or entry requirements, we may be able to provide a Letter of Invitation for visa purposes. Please contact us if that is the case.
We're here to help! Please contact Mily Montanez, NFA Membership Manager, at mmontanez@nfaonline.org, or call our office at 312-332-6682.
Registration FAQs
Registration includes admission to:
- All 200+ convention sessions (workshops, recitals, masterclasses, etc.)
- All evening Concerts, including the Saturday Night Concerto Concert
- The Exhibit Hall
Please note that a printed program book is not included in your registration. If you would like a printed program book, you must purchase one for $5 during the registration process. A digital pdf copy of the program book, as well as the convention app, will be available for free.
Yes - an NFA membership is required to register for the NFA convention. Become a member at nfaonline.org/membership
We also welcome on-site registrations at the NFA Registration Desk in Portland. Registration information can be found here.
Yes! We offer a lowered registration rate for non-flutist guests (family members, partners/spouses, etc.). You add your guest directly onto your registration.
If your guest is under 8, then they are free. Please contact Mily Montanez (mmontanez@nfaonline.org), to process under 8 registrations.
If your presentation/performance includes a non-flutist, they will receive a complimentary single-day registration for the day they will be participating at the convention. Please fill out THIS FORM. If you have any questions, please email Mily Montanez, mmontanez@nfaonline.org
You can register your group using this form (note there are no discounts for group registrations, but we have a 50% discount for student group memberships): HERE
The Convention Program Book, including the complete schedule, will be published on our website in the summer. The full convention program is also available on the convention app and in a printed program book.
A preliminary schedule of events is available here.
Yes. There will be a $5 charge for a printed program book. To receive a printed program book, you MUST purchase it at the time of your registration.
Attendees who register online in advance of the convention will need to purchase your printed program book online during the registration process. Program books are not available to purchase on-site for those who have registered in advance.
If you have not registered online in advance of the convention and you register on-site, you will have the option to purchase a printed program book, subject to availability.
This step was introduced in 2025 in the interest of affordability -- to contain convention costs -- and sustainability -- to avoid a surplus of books being printed and shipped.
International flute choirs invited to perform receive free registration, but will need to be active members. Please contact NFA Membership Manager, Mily Montanez, at mmontanez@nfaonline.org to process these registrations.
Exhibitor FAQs
The Oregon Convention Center has five (5) docks (#2-6) with a height that allows box trucks to unload and load. MAP TO LOADING DOCKS.
Box trucks with less than 4’ gate height often do not have clearance to reach the loading dock bays, so they would need to be unloaded using a separate loading ramp (additional fee may apply). If you anticipate needing access to the ramp to load/un-load contact Lauren Watt at lwatt@nfaonline.org
If needed, personal vehicles can potentially load/unload using the above loading ramp (additional fee may apply). If you anticipate needing access to the ramp to load/un-load contact Lauren Watt at lwatt@nfaonline.org
Personal vehicles will need to park in the garage, and are asked to hand carry only from the garage as carts can sometimes be too large for the elevators and risk damage. PARKING GARAGE LOCATIONS. Exhibitors loading/unloading from a personal vehicle are encouraged to park in the garage and unload directly from there.
No - you can bring your own folding table and chairs, table cloths, small rug, etc. It will save a lot of money if you bring these items yourself (note the pricing costs for load-in of materials, and also note at which point the decorating company is required to be paid for load-in).
More information will be available through the Decoration Company (Via Exhibitor Portal link) that will be sent to you around May
You can purchase this via the exhibitor portal link that will be distributed by the decoration company (Fern) around May. Note that these services are provided by the convention center and prices are not negotiable. We recommend for small companies that you do not use electricity at your booth and use a wifi hot-spot from your phone, if possible. This will reduce your costs significantly.
Aisles will be carpeted, but booths will not have carpet unless rented by exhibitor.
The deadline for ad reservations and art is May 1, 2026. You can place the order via our online order form here: https://www.nfaonline.org/program-book-advertising-order-form
NFA Commercial Membership accounts have to be set up by our staff and linked to at least one individual account. Please contact our Operations Manager, Aydan Hensley, at ahensley@nfaonline.org to setup an account and login.
Once you are logged in, you will be able to toggle between your personal NFA profile and your company profile. Exhibitors will need to be acting from their company profile to purchase commercial membership and complete the exhibitor contract. Please note, your personal profile does not need to have an NFA membership in order for you to exhibit; only the company profile needs a membership.
Performer FAQs
Yes, in order to perform or present at the convention you need to be registered and have a badge, and your membership must be active.
If you have questions regarding this please contact Mily Montanez at mmontanez@nfaonline.org
Yes, everyone attending the convention needs to be registered. If a member of your group is not a flutist, they will be registered for free and will receive a badge. Please contact Mily Montanez at mmontanez@nfaonline.org for further information.
Yes, everyone attending the convention needs to be registered. A composer whose work is being performed will be registered for free for the day of their performance and will receive a badge. Please contact Mily Montanez for further information.
No. The planned budget for this convention was created using the information provided in your convention proposals. We are not able to make any changes at this time.
Yes. The NFA will not provide laptops. The production team from Crescent Productions will have the necessary connectors to go from your laptop to their system. However, the NFA suggests that you bring your own connectors as a backup plan.
Yes, at the beginning of your rehearsal, there will be someone from Crescent Productions available in your room to set you up and get you going. If no one is there, there will be a card with a contact number you can call and they will be right over to help. Please note that the technicians will not remain in the room for the entirety of your program and they are not running your program. It is your responsibility to run your own electronics or presentations.
No. Our convention runs on a very tight schedule. By clearing the stage immediately after your performance, you will be helping us keep the events on schedule. Please encourage any audience members to meet you outside the performance room after your session. Thank you!
If not, read below:
Unless you plan on using more music stands than what was listed on your proposal application, you will not need to bring any music stands. You will be provided with the necessary number of music stands as per your proposal request. Music stands are NOT provided for rehearsals.
- General warm up room (no piano) - Holladay Boardroom A & B
- Rehearsal room - B113
- General Piano Rehearsal Rooms - A105 and C128
No. The NFA does not print presenter/performer materials at the convention.
Name:
Room:
Session time:
Needs:
Consult the Code of Conduct statement displayed in the lobby and exhibit hall, program book and convention app. Report an incident immediately to the Executive Director, jclarke@nfaonline.org or a member of the NFA staff or board.
Code of Conduct
To ensure that all participants in the NFA convention have a positive and collaborative experience, the NFA expects that community members will:
- Be considerate and respectful to all community members.
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, abusive, or harassing behavior, materials, and speech.
- Speak up if they observe anything at an event that conflicts with this Code of Conduct. If you are being harassed or feel uncomfortable, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact the Executive Director at jclarke@nfaonline.org or another member of the NFA staff or Board of Directors immediately. Possible consequences of violation of the code of conduct include removal from the convention or notification to the authorities.
Yes, you can submit PDF files via the 2026 Handouts Form and they will be linked to your program within the Guidebook App. (Due by July 4th)
Forms are available via the NFA Performers Hub to notify us of any edits or changes. Please utilize the Addenda Form to notify us of any and all edits or cancellations. If there is a personnel change, be sure to submit a bio for the new performer via the Bios Form.
Please note, the deadline for edits to appear in the printed program book is May 1. Changes submitted after this date have no guarantee of being in the printed copy. All edits not in the printed book will appear in the Guidebook App and be viewable on the website as an addenda listing.