2024 NATOA Annual Conference, Charleston, SC

NATOA ROOM BLOCK

The reservation period for NATOA's room block has closed. Contact the Charleston Marriott at 843-723-3000 to make a reservation.

NATOA has reserved a block of rooms at the Charleston Marriott Hotel at the special rate of $227 plus tax. The discounted NATOA rate is available until July 24, 2024 or until the block is full. NATOA's room block has filled to capacity in the past and we cannot guarantee that additional rooms can be added to the block. We encourage you to make your reservations early to ensure you receive the discounted rate. 

* The NATOA Conference room rate includes complimentary WiFi internet access in the sleeping rooms.  

NOTE: NATOA does not contract with travel agencies, housing bureaus or room representatives. If someone other than NATOA staff or the hotel reach out regarding your reservation, please consider it a scam and notify NATOA immediately.

The Charleston Marriott is located 12 miles from Charleston International Airport (CHS).  The airport offers ride sharing, taxi and shuttle options, and rental car options.

Parking: Daily self-parking rates are $15 per day and Valet parking is $22 per day.

Free Shuttle: The City offers a free shuttle that travels through the downtown area. There is a stop directly across from the Charleston Marriott. See schedule and details here.

View the most recent Conference Agenda here. 

Important Program Updates:

Sunday, August 25th, 2:30 - 5:30 pm - Bus Tour of Historic District, Tour of Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon - additional ticket required - see Optional Activities tab for more info

Sunday, August 25th, 7:00 - 8:00 pm - Welcome Happy Hour for all attendees. Join us for a light dinner, hosted by NATOA. We will provide the food, a cash bar will be available and attendees are responsible for their drink costs. 

Monday, August 26th, 4:00 - 7:00 pm - Taste of Charleston Reception in the Exhibit Hall - included for all attendees - featuring a low country boil and live band karaoke. 

Tuesday, August 27th, 5:30 pm - Charleston RiverDogs Baseball Game and Picnic - additional ticket required - see Optional Activities tab for more info

Nonfiction Storytelling for Impact Featuring Amy DeLouise

Storytelling with non-actors in a real world environment can be a challenge. How do you craft compelling short videos while meeting your deadlines and organizational objectives? How do you “scout” and film in a not-so-exciting location? Or draw compelling, authentic soundbites from your not-so-camera-experienced subject? In this workshop, you’ll be guided by an expert digital storyteller revealing proven strategies to overcome these challenges and make your nonfiction videos deliver impact. From crafting a story arc to designing your creative and technical briefs, from shot coverage planning to the underutilized role of audio in story, this case-study filled workshop will bring you many aha moments. And you’ll leave with tips like ways to get better interview answers to make your edit easier.  Join this engaging workshop and enjoy new ways to improve your craft.

• Crafting a Nonfiction Story (Motivating Viewers, Story Arc and Why It Matters, Ideation, Creative & Technical Briefs)
• Scripting & Preparation for Interview/Soundbite-Driven Stories (Shot Planning, Location Scouting Strategies, Audio Storytelling, Shot Coverage, Thinking Ahead to the Edit)
• The Art of the Interview (Preparing for an interview, Authenticity tips, Introduction to Learning Styles and Interview Practice)
• Interview Tips & Tricks (Question Techniques, Getting the Answers You Need in the Time You Have, Handling Challenging Interviewees)

Sunday, August 25 - Bus Tour of Historic District, Tour of Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
$64 per person, includes round-trip transportation from Charleston Marriott
2:30 - 5:30 pm

Tour Charleston, SC, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the south. Your tour will begin at the Charleston Marriott, where you will board your motor coach for a privately guided drive through the city’s historic district. Throughout the tour, your licensed guide will recount over 300 years of Charleston’s long and colorful history from 1670 to present day with a blend of knowledge, wit, and humor. Topics discussed will include Charleston’s role in Colonial America, the American Revolution, the southern Antebellum Era, the Civil War, and its current day status as one of top travel destinations in the World.

Some of the landmarks you will see include the Battery, Rainbow Row, St. Michael's Church, the College of Charleston, and South Carolina’s famed military academy the Citadel. Your guide will also point out early period houses in Mazyck-Wraggborough and Harleston Village, as well as magnificent public buildings like The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon and the famous “Four Corners of Law” at the intersection of Meeting and Broad Street.

Included will be a tour of the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. The Old Exchange stands on the site of the Court of Guard which was a part of the original Walled City of Charleston. In the Dungeon where pirates and Revolutionary War heroes were held captive, you can see a section of the original wall. In the Great Hall where President George Washington was entertained at a ball during his state visit to Charleston in 1791, delegates were elected to the convention in Philadelphia which resulted in the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was first publicly read here five weeks after it was ratified in Philadelphia.

** Tickets are not included with registration and must be purchased separately. See the Registration tab for details. You may purchase a ticket as a separate transaction even if you have already registered for the conference. 

Tuesday, August 27 - The Charleston RiverDogs vs the Fayetteville Woodpeckers - $45 each

Join NATOA for an evening of baseball and fun! Tickets include access to a covered deck area prior to the game with hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, watermelon, soda and water. Game seats are in a shaded area below the deck. The stadium is 2 blocks from the Charleston Marriott.

Please notify jharman@natoa.org in advance if you require a vegetarian black bean burger. 

Schedule:
5:30 pm - early gate access
6:00 - 7:15 pm - Food on Doby's Deck
7:05 pm - Game begins 

** Tickets are not included with registration and must be purchased separately. See the Registration tab for details. You may purchase a ticket to the game as a separate transaction even if you have already registered for the conference.