Between annual meetings of the Legislative Assembly, the association is governed by the executive committee.

[2] NCA is composed of 49 divisions, which cover various areas of study; seven sections, which address professional settings; and six caucuses, which represent specific demographic or socially defined segments of the NCA membership.

[4][5] NCA sponsors an annual convention on communication research and teaching.

[6] The NCA Annual Convention has been held every year since 1915, except for 1918, when it was cancelled because of the U.S. involvement in World War I.

[7] The convention site rotates among the western, midwestern, and eastern regions of the United States.