Design Our 50th Anniversary Merchandise
Enter the NMEA Design Concept Contest!
As we prepare to celebrate NMEA's 50th anniversary at Meeting of the Waters this July on the Chesapeake Bay, we're inviting our members to help us mark this milestone in a meaningful way. We're holding a design concept contest for commemorative merchandise to be sold at the conference, with proceeds supporting NMEA.
What We're Looking For
Submit a design concept — whether a polished final design or a rough sketch or concept — that captures the spirit of this special moment in NMEA's history.
All submissions must incorporate the name “National Marine Educators Association” or the acronym "NMEA," a reference to "50" or "50th," and the NMEA logo or wave element. You're also welcome to draw inspiration from our conference theme, Meeting of the Waters, or the Chesapeake Bay setting. 2026 Conference colors and NMEA fonts and colours are provided for reference, but you are not required to use them.
Eligibility
The contest is open to both NMEA members and non-members, including board members and staff, other than those on the selection committee.
Submission Requirements
Designs may be submitted in any image format at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. Vector art is preferred. By submitting, you agree that the rights to your design will transfer to NMEA if your design is selected as the winning design.
All submissions must be original work and must not infringe upon any existing intellectual property (NMEA logo and branding excluded). Non-winning submissions remain the intellectual property of the submitter unless otherwise agreed upon by both parties.
The NMEA Outreach team may further develop the selected concept as needed for production.
How to Submit
Submit your design using this online form.
How Winners Are Selected
A review committee comprising the President's Chain, Executive Administrator, Communications & Digital Engagement Manager, and the Outreach Committee Chair will evaluate submissions based on four criteria: creativity and originality, how well the design or concept embodies the spirit of NMEA and the ocean education community, incorporation of the 50th anniversary theme, and feasibility for production.
Timeline
Submissions open: April 7, 2026
Submissions close: May 8, 2026
Winning design/s selected: May 25, 2026
Merchandise available at conference: July 2026
What the Winner Receives
The winning designer/s will receive a free professional one-year membership (new or renewal), named credit in the official conference program, one free merchandise item produced using the design, and a feature on the NMEA website.
Questions? Contact social@marine-ed.org.
