Partner's Membership FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
The Questions
- Q: How do we contact the NMC?
- Q: Who are NMC members?
- Q: How does an institution become a member of the NMC?
- Q: Why do corporations join NMC?
- Q: How do partners work with the NMC?
- Q: How much does NMC membership cost? What is included?
- Q: How does a corporation join?
- Q: How can we use or modify the NMC logo?
- Q: What is the NMC Summer Conference?
- Q: Who attends the Summer Conference?
- Q: How much does it cost to attend?
The Answers
Q: How do we contact the NMC?
The offices of the NMC are located at
6101 W. Courtyard
Building One Suite 100
Austin, TX 78730
email: nmc@nmc.org
phone: 512.445.4200
fax: 512.445.4205
See our mapped location. We are located in the Central time zone and are in the office weekdays between 9 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Q: Who are NMC members?
The institutions that have chosen to become members of the NMC are outstanding innovators, committed to pushing the boundaries of teaching, learning and creative expression, and adept in the application of technology. Since the founding of the NMC in 1993, the consortium's membership has been synonymous with technological leadership, and NMC membership denotes an organization deeply committed to quality, excellence in teaching and/or research, and innovation. Members include colleges, universities, innovative museums, research centers, foundations, and other learning focused organizations. For a complete list, see the our current members list.
How does an institution become a member of the NMC?
Why do corporations join NMC?
The NMC is truly unusual among higher education associations because we have always maintained very close ties to the corporate world. Launched in 1993 from the vision of John Sculley, the mission of the NMC has always included solid partnerships with corporations interested in expanding the bounds of traditional education. The founding members of the NMC included not only 22 outstanding universities, but also Macromedia, Adobe Systems, Apple Computer, and Sony. The NMC’s governance structure ensures the organization maintains strong ties to its partners — one-third of the seats on the board are reserved for partners, who enjoy the full range of benefits of membership in the NMC.
As a partner of the NMC, you will have access to the most distinctive, technologically savvy, and productive colleges and universities in North America – and in a growing number of museums as well. The NMC’s membership is often described as higher education in microcosm, as it includes representation from the entire range of institutions — large and small, public and private, research-focused and teaching-focused — and every Carnegie classification. If your company believes in these values, and is interested in working with like-minded leading colleges and universities, you should consider joining this collaborative community of innovators and visionary thinkers. For more reasons, see the Partner Benefits Chart.
How do partners work with the NMC?
Any successful partnership means taking the time to learn the goals and interests on both sides. The NMC understands the language of business. We are committed to working with you to understand your needs and mutually determine how your partnership with the NMC can best benefit your business. We know the higher education marketplace, and are very knowledgeable about higher education opportunities. For those companies interested in developing major initiatives for this market, we have considerable skill and experience in building custom projects and programs for our partners. For more information on how the NMC supports its partners, see the Partner Benefits Chart.
Key among the expectations we have for our partners is that we ask new partners to help us learn your needs and goals early on by linking us to someone in your organization who is able to make decisions about the partnership, and who is able to think strategically about how we can work together. This person generally serves as the Primary Contact for the NMC. In addition, we ask each partner to designate at least one person to join our electronic discussions. This may be, but does not have to be, the Primary Contact. NMC Partners play a major role in the NMC Summer Conference, hosting more than half of the sessions and sponsoring many of the events and activities related to it.
How much does NMC membership cost? What is included?
There are three levels of NMC Partner Memberships available -- Platinum, Distinguished, and Sustaining. Each level includes a distinct set of benefits explained in the Partner Benefits Chart. Annual dues range from $5,000 at the Sustaining Level, to $10,000 at the Distinguished Level, to $25,000 at the Platinum Level
How does a corporation join?
NMC staff can work with you to design a partnership package that is tailored to your organization. To begin the process, call the NMC at 512.445.4200, e-mail us at info@nmc.org, or complete our online membership form. Upon processing of the membership form, your company is invoiced for the annual dues and an announcement is sent out to members over the NMC lists regarding the company, its products, and any special features of the new partnership.
How can we use or modify the NMC logo?
The NMC logo is a registered trademark symbol which members are authorized to use to identify programs, projects, events, publications developed or coordinated by the NMC. Partners have the right to use the NMC name and logo. We ask that you maintain the logo's structural integrity and overall "look and feel." Guidelines are available in the Members Area of this web site. We ask that you notify us whenever you indicate your membership on your web site, at your conference booths, or in your collateral literature.
What is the NMC Summer Conference?
The NMC Summer Conference is one of higher education's most distinctive technology-focused events. Every year since 1994, NMC has convened this 3-day meeting for members and nonmembers alike to discuss projects, activities, and management and policy issues; to hold demonstrations of innovative practices and tools; and to participate in a wide range of hands-on training. The event is always held in May or June, which here in North America is summer; hence the name "Summer Conference." For NMC members, the Summer Conference is the key opportunity to meet colleagues face-to-face, attend hands-on training, and participate in highly interactive discussions about NMC Initiatives and Projects, emerging technologies, management issues, best practices, campus challenges, and pedagogy, all connected by the underlying currents of creativity and innovation.
Who attends the Summer Conference?
NMC Conferences attract an audience of innovative thinkers and highly skilled campus professionals. All are very knowledgeable about and interested in tools and techniques used in the integration of emerging technologies into teaching, learning, and creative expression. NMC conference attendees are often early adopters and represent the most innovative and creative areas on their campuses. Of the attendees from colleges and universities at past conferences, about 30% were IT executives or senior managers, with titles such as CTO, CIO, Director of Academic Computing, or other Director-level posts; about 15% were mid-level IT managers; and about 15% were faculty. The remainder of the academic audience, about 40% of attendees, were specialists in specific technologies, such as digital video, web design, streaming, animation, or graphics. The NMC Summer Conference generally attracts between 400-600 attendees representing between 100 and 150 colleges, universities, museums, research centers, foundations, and other learning-centered organizations.
How much does it cost to attend?
Each Member Institution may send an unlimited number of people to the conference at a discounted rate of $349, currently $400 off of the normal registration fee of $749. Pre-conference sessions or special events may involve separate charges. Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging as well as meals other than those that may be provided at the conference.
