2022 NAFSA Region I Conference

2022 Region I Conference

The 2022 Region I Conference will take place in Spokane, Washington. Learn, network, and engage with IE professionals dedicated to advancing the field of international education at the Region I conference! 

Important Dates

• NAFSA Workshops: October 26 to 27, 2022
• Region I Conference: October 27 to 29, 2022

Details

We look forward to seeing you in October 2022 for the Region I Conference in Spokane, WA!  

• If you are interested in volunteering to help with the conference, please contact Conference Planner Karissa Ringel.

• If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting, please contact Development Rep Colton Oliphant for additional information.

• Here you can find some tips on 'Know Before you Go' to the Conference.

For questions, please contact the Region I Team. 

Conference Registration

* We will have on-site registration and will be able to register attendees until the end of the conference.  However, we will not be able to accommodate dietary needs after Monday, October 24^th.

** NAFSA Special Members: Retired Member, RISE Fellows, Academic Trainees, NAFSA Academy and Life Members.

Health and Safety

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for In-Person Attendees

NAFSA considers the safety of all those onsite at 2022 Regional Conferences as our top priority including our attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and event staff. In an effort to host a safe and productive event, we pledge to follow all guidelines and requirements set by state and local authorities as well as Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

NAFSA will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for all participants, including all conference registrants, exhibitors, NAFSA staff, vendor partners, and guests. If you have received all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO), then you are considered to be fully vaccinated.

Check acceptable COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine proof here. All doses of authorized and approved vaccines must be completed two weeks prior to your arrival at the event. Attendees will receive communication and further instruction on how to easily submit their vaccination credentials in their registration confirmation email, and can also submit vaccination credentials here:

Individual Accountability

NAFSA has preventive measures in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. NAFSA cannot, however, guarantee that attendees will properly social distance and that its attendees will not become infected with COVID-19. Attendees agree to COVID-19-specific terms & conditions of attendance as part of the registration process.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, or have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for or has symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home. Be sure to practice everyday preventive actions, including but not limited to social distancing, washing hands often, and monitoring your health daily.

On-Site Safety

On-site safety practices include:

• Masks are required for all attendees at the conference except for when presenting, actively eating or drinking. Participants are responsible for providing their own masks.
• Reminders to socially distance when appropriate, wash your hands often, cover your cough, or sneeze and stay away if you are sick.
• Prior to arriving, we encourage each attendee to do the following:
  • Be sure to register and upload your proof of vaccination PRIOR to arriving onsite to reduce congestion and forming of lines in the registration area.
  • Monitor your daily health and self-assessment prior to traveling.
• Event Management has the right to remove or exclude anyone from the event if they do not follow our Health & Safety policies or do not follow Health & Safety instructions set forth by the Event or venue staff.

Public health guidance on preventing the transmission of COVID-19 continues to evolve, and NAFSA will base its on-site protocol on the latest guidance from the CDC in addition to local regulations.

Hotel Information

The Centennial Spokane
301 W North River Drive
Spokane, WA 99201

To reserve your room please call the hotel directly and say that you would like to book for the NAFSA Region I Conference. The Centennial Spokane phone number is (509) 326-8000. 

How to Get to Spokane

Spokane is conveniently located on I-90, Amtrak lines, and near the Spokane International Airport. Spokane International Airport (GEG) is approximately 10 minutes from Downtown Spokane and the conference hotel. 

From Portland, OR
Driving: 5.5 hours
Flying: 1 hour, nonstop

From Seattle, WA
Driving: 4.25 hours
Flying: 1 hour, nonstop

From Vancouver, BC
Driving: 6.75 hours
Flying: 3 hours, connecting

From Anchorage, AK
Flying: 5.5 hours, connecting

From Boise, ID
Driving: 6.5 hours
Flying: 1.25 hours, nonstop  

Parking is available at the hotel. While you are at the conference in Spokane you can make use of the city bus system (STA) and use Uber and Lyft. You will be within walking distance from the conference hotel of Riverfront Park, River Park Square Mall, Centennial Trail, Spokane Arena, and various downtown restaurants and coffee shops.

Program and Schedule

The Region I Conference schedule is now available! Through the Online Planner, you can view the time, room, presenters, descriptions, and learning objectives of the sessions. You can also star the events you're interested in and create your own conference agenda, to view on the mobile webpage at the conference! There is also information on Sponsors, Exhibitors, and more!

Preconference Workshops

This year, we will offer the following pre-conference workshops: 

• F-1 for Beginners
• F-1 Intermediate

The pre-conference workshops will be held on Wednesday, October 26 and Thursday, October 27. 

Exhibitor and Sponsor Information

For more information about the types of sponsorship we have for the Conference, please click here!

New to the NAFSA Region I conference?

If this is the first time you are attending our Region I Conference, we would like to invite you to our newcomer's session Thursday, October 27 between 10:30 - 11:30 AM in room Riverfront D. We will talk about overall NAFSA and chat about your expectations to make this conference a success for you!

Volunteer

Interested in getting involved in NAFSA Region I and not sure how? Consider volunteering at the fall conference! Volunteers are essential to the success of our conference and sincerely appreciated. Please email Region I if you are interested in learning more.