Dedicated to education and cultural exchange.

The National Conference of State Societies (NCSS) is the non-profit, voluntary umbrella association for state and territorial societies in the national capital area. At one time or another, all 50 states have had active societies as well as the District of Columbia and our 5 territories: American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Common Wealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

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NCSS plays a unique role in the National Cherry Blossom Festival® by sponsoring a series of events that highlight educational and cultural exchange programs for The Cherry Blossom Princess Program - "Aspiring Leadership and Empowering Young Women" who are college students or young professionals selected by state/territorial societies and embassies to represent them. Today the festival is a cooperative effort of many organizations including the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., the Mayor’s office, the National Park Service, the Japan America Society of Washington DC, and NCSS, just to mention a few.