The NAM was instrumental in administering the National Postwar Conference. These meetings brought together representatives of industry, organized labor, agriculture, transportation, banking, commerce, distribution, service groups, veterans’ organizations, and civic and patriotic interests for discussions on the state of postwar America. From 1944 through 1946, three meetings were held each year on the East Coast (often in Atlantic Beach, New Jersey), except for the November 1946 meeting held in Highland Park, Illinois. One meeting was held in 1947. Delegates presented written presentations that were followed by discussion, and they did not vote on final resolutions or adopt specific policies regarding the agenda. The meetings were “off-the-record” with press releases generated by NAM as the only media contact.

The records for these meetings include memos, correspondence, press releases, agendas, lists of participants, conference programs, and papers presented by or addresses made by the participants. The records appear to have been maintained by Hugh O’Connor (1894-1967), a member of staff in the Public Relations Department.