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On November 15, 1955, legendary television personality Ed Sullivan convened a meeting of fifty of the most prominent television industry leaders -- all concerned about the future of the television medium which had only recently captured the imagination and loyalty of the American public.
     With leaders such as Walter Cronkite, Fred Allen, Charles Collingwood , Edward R. Murrow, Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, Mark Goodson and Basil Rathbone among them, the organization doubled within two weeks to become the "Committee of 100." This high level group was committed to the establishment of a National Television Academy.
     Since those early heady days, NATAS has been a story of extraordinary growth in numbers of members and chapters, plus the phenomenal scope and breadth of programs and services. Membership has flourished to more than 11,000, making NATAS the single largest television professional association in the world. NATAS is represented by 17 chapters nationwide serving 97 percent of the viewing public.
     Aspire has won 7 Emmys.