2024 NAFSA Region XII Conference

Early Bird Deadline - September 30, 2024

Looking for funding opportunities to attend the NAFSA Region XII Conference? Well, look no further! Region XII is pleased to offer travel grants to the 2024 Regional Conference. Grant applications will be open between June 24-August 2, 2024. Selected awardees will be notified in early September and will be able to register for the conference at lower rates by the Early Bird deadline of September 30th.

Apply online by August 2, 2024: bit.ly/2024-RXII-RCTravelGrant

Complete this form to be considered for an invitation letter.

All attendees traveling to the US from abroad can request a visa letter of invitation via the link above. 

All requests submitted by the October 1st will be screened, but not all requests will be approved. Please allow one week from your date of submission for delivery. If approved, an invitation letter on official letterhead will be issued to you as a PDF document, and will be e-mailed to the address you provided.

Please check with your local U.S. consulate to allow sufficient time for visa processing. Your request for a letter of invitation to attend a NAFSA regional conference does not guarantee that you will receive a visa.

Region XII is excited to offer the following pre-conference workshop opportunities. Please register for pre-conference workshops via the regional conference registration portal. Workshop descriptions are linked below. 

• F-1 Student Advising for Beginners: Saturday, October 19, 2024; 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• F-1 Student Advising: Intermediate: Sunday, October 20, 2024; 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• J-1 Advising for Beginners: Sunday, October 20, 2024; 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Recruiting International Students: Sunday, October 20, 2024: 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
• Risky Business? Start-ups for International Students: Sunday, October 20, 2024; 8:00 AM-12:00 PM; "Homegrown" workshop presented by Sarah Brockmeyer

In addition to these Region XII sponsored workshops, we are pleased to also host the NAFSA Management Development Program (MDP) October Cohort! Registration for the MDP is available via the NAFSA website, and separate from the RXII Conference registration.

• Management Development Program: October 19-21, 2024

An updated schedule will be available by early September.

We are pleased to offer a Resume Review program and a Mentor-Mentee program again this year. 

The Resume Review program offers expert guidance and feedback from experienced professionals in the field, ensuring that resumes are tailored to highlight relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications. Registrants will have the opportunity to have their resume reviewed on-site, during the conference.

The Mentor-Mentee program pairs new professionals in international education with experienced members. Learn from your mentor, tackle challenges, and expand your network. Mentors and mentees will be encouraged to meet in-person at the conference.

You can sign up for both of these programs through the conference registration system. If you have already registered, you can log in to modify your registration and add either option.

We have lots of fun in store for you in Orange County! Check out our Special Event offerings below.

Pre-Conference Activities

Attend a Local Soccer Match with NAFSA Region XII!

Bring your friends and family to watch the Orange County Soccer Club take on New Mexico United!

• Date & Time: Saturday, October 19, 2024 | Match starts at 7:00 PM
• Location: Championship Soccer Stadium, 8272 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618
• Tickets are $16.44 ($14 ticket + $2.44 in fees) and available via our NAFSA Region XII Group Ticket link.
• Please note that transportation is not provided.

Downtown Disney Scavenger Hunt

Get ready for an adventure in the heart of Downtown Disney! There will be exciting challenges (with prizes!) and optional dinner afterwards.

• Date & Time: Sunday, October 20, 2024 | 4:00-5:00 PM
• Location: Downtown Disney
• Shuttle service available to and from the hotel to Disneyland Parks for a fee, making it easy to join the fun!

Conference Activities

Pages & Pastries: Book Discussion on "Vanishing Orange County" by Chris Epting

Join us for a delightful morning of engaging conversation, coffee, and delicious pastries as we dive into the intriguing insights of "Vanishing Orange County" by Chris Epting. Bring your copy of the book and your thoughts as we explore the fascinating history and hidden gems of Orange County!

• Monday, October 21, 2024: Chapters 1-3 will be discussed
• Tuesday, October 22, 2024: Chapters 4-7 will be discussed

Eco-Friendly Crafting: Create Your Own Recycled T-Shirt Beach Tote Bag

Prepare for your beach outing and recycle your favorite t-shirt "Cali Style"!

• Date & Time: Monday, October 21, 2024 | 12:00-1:00 PM
• Reserve your spot via the Conference Registration form (you can go back in and add this event)
• Bring your own t-shirt with a round neckline; no cropped shirts, please.

"We're All Ears" Opening Reception

Join us for a night of magic and fun! We're kicking off with a Disney-Themed Drag Show hosted by the fabulous Nebuer Styles!

• Date & Time: Monday, October 21, 2024 | 6:00-7:30 PM

Surf's Up: Decorate Your Own Surfboard Ornaments!

Get creative and bring a splash of summer into your home with our Surfboard Ornament Decorating event!

• Date & Time: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | 12:00-1:00 PM
• Cost: $10; includes two surfboard ornaments
• Reserve your spot via the Conference Registration form (you can go back in and add this event)

Surf's Up Bash: Let's Get Engaged!

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Surf's Up Bash hosted by the hilarious Mike Cano, Comedian and Fan Engagement Lead for the Empire Strykers and Inland Empire 66ers! We'll have interactive games, a magician performance, trivia challenges, and lots of goofiness and fun!

• Date & Time: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | 4:00-6:00 PM

NAFSA is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religion. NAFSA does not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience, including people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for the conference. Participants violating these rules may be asked to leave the conference at the sole discretion of NAFSA’s management. If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, or if you witness unacceptable behavior, please inform the Regional Conference Planner, who will inform NAFSA staff, so that we may resolve any concerns. If you or another event participant witnesses or is a party to imminent physical danger or distress, promptly alert the appropriate security, law enforcement, or emergency medical authorities. This Code applies to all NAFSA members and event attendees in all NAFSA meeting venues, including the regional conference, ancillary events and social gatherings, whether officially sponsored by NAFSA or not and whether held in-person or virtually.

Conference registration and/or workshop registration may be canceled with full refund less a 10% processing fee, any time up until four (4) weeks prior, September 23, to the conference start date.

A 50% refund is available for conference registration and/or workshop registration provided written notification is received between four (4) weeks, September 23, and two (2) weeks prior, October 7,  to the conference start date.

No refunds will be granted after October 7, 2024. In the case of emergency/extenuating circumstances, special requests may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the regional leadership team following the conference.

NAFSA follows COVID-19 safety protocols as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and local ordinances in the conference location, which currently do not require proof of vaccination or masking. Should the mandates change, NAFSA reserves the right to adjust conference attendance policies accordingly.

NAFSA strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccination and boosters, as vaccines are recommended as a proven way to prevent the threat of critical illness. Many attendees may still choose to wear masks indoors, and we ask that all attendees respect those who elect to do so. NAFSA recommends attendees self-test before leaving home for the conference. If you feel ill on-site, please remain in your hotel room and test to determine your health status.

By registering for this event, you agree to the collection of contact and demographic information in accordance with NAFSA’s Privacy Policy. This includes any information unique to you that is available in the individual's NAFSA profile. NAFSA will share limited information (name, title, organization, state, and country) in the official attendee list. NAFSA may further share your contact information according to your selected “Communication Preferences” in your MyNAFSA and in accordance with NAFSA’s Privacy Policy.

Your data will be collected and utilized for NAFSA: Association of International Educators, organizer of this event, to allow your access to the event as well as its digital platform, CadmiumCD. Additionally, you agree to the sharing of your contact information with the trainers, coaches, and other program participants for the purpose of fulfilling the program for which you have registered. As a condition to participation, attendees consent to be recorded.

NAFSA is committed to providing universal access to its products, services, digital content, and events and, in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs so we ask that requests for accommodations be made as early as possible, preferably at least three weeks in advance of the regional conference start date, through the registration process, if possible. Or, you can contact [email protected] for accommodation requests. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner, but services are subject to availability, and further, NAFSA may not be able to grant accommodations requests that place an undue burden on it or that fundamentally change the nature or structure of the goods or services.