NMILA sponsors and supports a variety of professional development conferences state-wide, as well as regionally in collaboration with other state councils under the aegis of the International Literacy Association (ILA). NMILA conferences serve as important formal consultations, exchanges of information and sharing of matters pertaining to literacy. NMILA conferences serve to deepen the involvement of periphery members, cement ties between core members and leadership and recruit the uninvolved in order to foster a community of literacy advocates. Conferences literally and figuratively 'bring us together' on behalf of our mission.