LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The “Greatest Softball Show on Earth” once again lived up to the hype, with record-breaking Convention attendance in Las Vegas, which this year also included the biggest Exhibit Show in Association history.
The mid-December showcase at Caesars Forum fittingly drew 2,025 attendees, shattering the previous Convention record of 1,809 set in 2024 in Dallas, and continued a three-year run of attendance records that started with the 2023 Convention in the NFCA’s headquarters city of Louisville (1,763). Overall, numbers have increased each year since 2019, including in 2020 when the Convention was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 700 of this year’s attendees were first-timers, and there was also unparalleled exhibitor interest, with a record 200 companies and 322 booths on-site in Las Vegas.
"Incredible!” NFCA CEO Carol Bruggeman said, summing things up in one powerful word. “History was made in Las Vegas. The energy was high and the vibes were positive throughout the entire event. Coaches made connections, shared new ideas, created memories, and left the ‘Greatest Softball Show on Earth’ with their buckets full."
You could call Las Vegas lucky for the NFCA, as the last four times the Convention has been held there it has set attendance marks. While this year’s increase of 216 attendees was historic, a similar boost came in 2014, also in Las Vegas, when a then-record 1,433 attendees added 199 to the total from the previous year in San Antonio.
The NFCA reached 1,600 attendees for the first time in 2017 in Las Vegas (1,687), and again the following year in Chicago (1,679), before hitting 1,700 for the first time in Louisville and surpassing 1,800 in 2024.
“This year’s NFCA National Convention was historic in every sense — record-breaking attendance and the most first-time attendees we’ve ever welcomed,” University of Missouri head coach and longtime Board member Larissa Anderson noted. “As President of the NFCA, and after attending 24 Conventions, I am immensely proud to lead an organization that continues to grow, evolve and elevate the game of softball. In an ever-changing landscape of athletics, the NFCA continues to move the needle forward, ensuring softball remains one of the premier sports in our country.”
But it is not only Association leadership that is praising the event. Enthusiasm is at an all-time high for attendees and companies.
“The NFCA Convention is always an amazing experience,” York College head coach Kaitlyn Dulac said. “Being surrounded by and learning from the best coaches in the game challenges us to think bigger and sharpen how we teach, develop and compete. We’re energized by the tools and ideas we’ve gained, and can’t wait to implement them as we continue to invest in our athletes’ growth and development, both on and off the field.”
First-time exhibitor Jackson Overlund of Outwest Tees said he more than got his money’s worth in the Exhibit Show.
“This Convention helped us get our hitting tees in front of coaches all across the country,” Overlund said. “On top of that, we were able to make connections with other vendors that will help our business grow exponentially this year.”
The compliments continued to flow the NFCA’s way.
"The NFCA Convention is always top-notch, but this year was by far my best experience so far!” Kristin Erb, the head coach at California (Pa.) University beamed. “So many vendors, a ton of new drills and a bunch of new ideas! I walked away with my coaching bucket overflowing! I can't wait to implement all I learned in my daily life and coaching!"
“My wife, Mandi, and I are thankful for the awesome experiences from the Convention!” Northeast Hurricanes 18U assistant coach Whit Chaiyabhat added. “The week in Vegas offered us experiences that recharged our tanks with knowledge, passion, mentoring and a coaching community that sustains and motivates us to continue our love for teaching, serving our student-athletes and reconfirming our love for this game! Special thanks to the entire NFCA team and all the speakers who make it an amazing opportunity each year.”
NFCA Four-Star Master Coach Ray Noelte explained why he’s attended 17 Conventions.
“New topics, new perspectives, new speakers, new venue, same great experience,” he said. “NFCA always keeping it fresh!"
For Hamilton College assistant Kirstin Mapes, the Convention fits in perfectly with the spirit of the holiday season.
“The 2025 NFCA Convention gave me a lot of unexpected gifts this year,” Mapes said. “It reignited my passion for learning and teaching the game, challenged me to try new things like volunteering and resume building, and helped open my perspective to new ideas and opportunities in the game. I'm heading into the new year excited and ready for the challenges ahead.”
Corbin Weeks, the head coach at NAIA’s New College of Florida, summed it up this way:
“I believe the NFCA Convention is a must-attend event for any softball coach at any level. Thank you, Carol, (NAIA liaison) Jamie (Hazel-White) and the entire staff for their continued dedication to grow the sport. I can’t wait to see everyone in Atlantic City!”
Attendees can keep the excitement and learning from the 2025 Convention going with lifetime access to over 40 hours of video content encompassing more than 75 speakers — which is included with registration — via the unique link in the email they were sent shortly after the event. Non-attendees can purchase the full Convention video package by clicking on the link below. The two Pre-Convention seminars are also available for purchase.
Purchase the Full Convention video package
Purchase the Pre-Convention seminar (The Short Game: Execute and Defend)
The 2026 NFCA Convention is scheduled for Dec. 9-12 in Atlantic City. Details on the host hotel, pricing and speaker lineup will be released in mid-August.
