From March 29 – April 1, 2026, the vibrant city of New Orleans, LA, will host the Annual Convention—a can’t-miss opportunity for NEHS students who are passionate about literature, writing, and the English language. Picture yourself spending several days immersed in a dynamic community of fellow students, celebrated authors, and literary scholars from around the world. This convention is more than just a gathering—it’s a celebration of creativity, culture, and intellectual growth.
At the 2026 Convention, students will experience a wide range of engaging panel discussions on everything from contemporary literary trends to the art of creative writing. Inspiring keynote speakers—leaders in the literary world—will share their journeys, offering encouragement and insight to aspiring writers and scholars.
The convention’s hands-on workshops are tailored to a variety of interests and skill levels, giving NEHS students the chance to actively engage with art, film, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, literary analysis, and more. No matter their passion, students will leave with valuable tools, fresh perspectives, and renewed confidence in their craft.
This year, NEHS continues to highlight student excellence through the Convention Presentation Award (information for 2026 will be made available during summer 2025). This unique opportunity allows high school members to take the stage and showcase their work to a national audience through a funded opportunity to attend the convention. It’s a powerful way to be recognized and celebrated for academic and creative achievements.
Of course, no trip to New Orleans would be complete without soaking in the culture, music, and unforgettable food! Beyond the academic enrichment, students can enjoy exciting social events and explore one of America’s most iconic cities.
For high school students eager to connect, create, and celebrate all things English, the 2026 Annual Convention in New Orleans is the place to be.
2025 Convention Photos and Testimonials
In 2025, NEHS students from around the world attended the Annual Convention for the first time. Here’s what they had to say about it:
The Sigma Tau Delta Convention was an extraordinary experience that deeply enriched me and my partner’s passion for literature and writing. Attending inspiring workshops and panels, engaging with accomplished authors, and making lifelong connections via networking provided me invaluable insights in literature, creativity, as well as professional growth. (Khandakar, Upper Darby High School, PA)
On just the first day of the convention, I was deeply inspired. The workshops after, one with poet Cameron Barnett and another with flash fiction author Sherrie Flick, left impressions on me as well, giving me a lot to work with when it came to understanding my creative processes. The LitFest sessions exposed me to ideas and works I may not have had the chance to read otherwise. The keynote speech by Benjamin Alire Saenz was an excellently told story, and it really made me decide to pick up a copy of his beloved work. (Aya, International School of Kigali, Rwanda)
Personally, this was my first time attending a convention, along with presenting in one. Attending was not only about being there, but it was also about facing fears and pushing boundaries for myself. I spent months analyzing the text One of Ours by Willa Cather; and it couldn’t have been more worth it. I felt accomplished in what I had done and the feedback I received. I got to engage in meaningful literary conversations and learn from the authors that inspired me. (Ariana, Colegio Catolico Notre Dame, Puerto Rico)
Walking into the convention, I had no idea what to expect with this being our school’s first year in attendance. I feel as though I took the most from listening to all of the presentations over the three days. While listening to my peers present their projects, I was able to pick out some techniques that I think will make me a stronger presenter and public speaker. (Angelina, Archbishop Ryan High School, PA)
2026 Keynote Speakers and Workshop Highlights
2026 Convention keynote speakers for NEHS students include:
MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient and two-time National Book Award-winner Jesmyn Ward has been hailed as the standout writer of her generation, proving her “fearless and toughly lyrical” voice in novels, memoir, and nonfiction. Betsy Burton of the American Booksellers Association has called her “the new Toni Morrison.” In 2017, she became the first woman and the first person of color to win two National Book Awards for Fiction—joining the ranks of William Faulkner, Saul Bellow, John Cheever, Philip Roth, and John Updike. In 2024, Men We Reaped, Salvage the Bones, and Sing, Unburied, Sing were named in the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century by the New York Times.
Aimee Nezhukumatathil is the author of Bite By Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees and the New York Times best-selling nature essay collection World of Wonders. She has written five poetry books, including Lucky Fish and Oceanic. Her honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship, NEA poetry fellowship, Pushcart Prize, a Mississippi Arts Council grant, and NAAEE’s 2024 Innovation in Environmental Education Award. She is poetry editor for Sierra magazine and teaches English and Creative Writing at the University of Mississippi.
LitFest Speakers and Workshop Leaders include:
- Fatima Shaik on Jazz and nonfiction writing
- Holly MacKenna on resilience and children’s literature
- Janine Utell on the work of the MLA and career opportunities for humanities students
- Kim Vaz-Deville on New Orleans culture
- L.D. Lewis on speculative fiction
- Madi Hannan on illustration
- Marguerite Sheffer on short story writing
- Maurice Carlos Ruffin on historical novels
- Richard Louth on the literary culture of New Orleans
- Soline Holmes on the importance of school libraries
Key Information for NEHS Student Groups Wishing to Attend the 2026 Convention
Convention Details
Dates: March 29 – April 1, 2026
Location: Hyatt Regency New Orleans Hotel
Costs: $120 (includes Sunday – Wednesday activities).
Registration dates: November 18, 2025 – February 7, 2026
Other Convention Activities
The full range of activities, panel presentations, workshops, keynotes, and social activities that will be offered at the 2026 Convention is yet to be confirmed. This page will update with further information as it becomes available.
Convention T-Shirts
A limited quantity of 2026 NEHS Convention T-shirts will be available for sale at the convention. T-shirts may be purchased at the Shop English pop-up store March 29 – April 1, 2026.
Accommodation Information
Hotel:
The official Convention hotel is the Hyatt Regency New Orleans Hotel, located at 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113.
Discounted king and double rooms are available through the Convention Room Block for $169.00 per night + tax. Up to four students can be accommodated in one double room. The Convention Room Block will remain open until full.
There is no obligation for NEHS student groups to stay at the convention hotel. Other hotels available in the area include the Hilton Garden Inn, La Quinta Suites, and Holiday Inn Express hotels.
Food/Drink:
A range of food options are available within a 15-minute walk of the hotel. Several hotel restaurants will be available throughout the convention.
Travel and Transportation Information
New Orleans International Airport (14 miles):
American Airlines, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Jet Blue, Southwest, Spirit, and United offer flights into New Orleans.
New Orleans Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and Jefferson Transit Authority (JET) provide public transport between the airport and downtown every 30 minutes every day. The cost of a ticket is no more than $2 per person.
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (0.5 mile):
AMTRAK provides the City of New Orleans service to New Orleans from Chicago, calling at Carbondale, IL, and Memphis, TN, as well as other small towns on the route. The AMTRAK Crescent service runs between New York and New Orleans, calling at Philadelphia, PA; Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC; Charlotte, SC; Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL, and a number of other smaller stations. AMTRAK’s Sunset Limited service runs from Los Angeles to New Orleans, calling at Tucson, AZ; San Antonio, TX; and Houston, TX, as well as as a range of other smaller stations.
Tourist Information
Activities that can be undertaken near to the hotel include: The National WWII Museum, New Orleans Museum of Art, Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Zoo, Mardi Gras World, Steamboat Natchez, New Orleans African American Museum, the French Quarter, and Garden District.
More tourist information can be found at Visit New Orleans.
Fundraising Suggestions
NEHS works closely with Double Good to support NEHS chapter fundraising efforts. We have found Double Good to be an easy partner for students and Chapter Advisors to work with. Find out more about how Double Good can help you fundraise for your trip to the 2026 Convention.
