There are so many opportunities to connect at NAFSA 2023! Find your fellow international education professionals each day at conference sessions, in dialogue with Spotlight Presenters, at the NAFSA Pavilion, and throughout the International Education Expo. Engage in on-site conversations, meet one-on-one at a poster fair, or stop by a Community Center to spark discussion and learn new ideas. Networking opportunities at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo yield professional and personal growth to last throughout the year.

Time is built into the conference schedule for targeted networking, engagement opportunities, and coffee breaks with colleagues.

Networking Events

Conference Kick-Off Café
Tuesday, May 30, 8:00 a.m.–8:45 a.m.
Start the day and conference week with a visit to the Kick-Off Café.  Grab a morning beverage, reunite with friends and colleagues, and make new connections before attending the opening plenary.  (Included in registration fee)

Opening Celebration:  NAFSA 75th Anniversary
Tuesday, May 30, 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. 

NAFSA takes over Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals, for this private event to celebrate 75 years of advancing the field of international education. The celebration includes food, drinks, entertainment by DC's favorite local go-go band The Chuck Brown Band, activities on the ball field, and a few surprises. (Included in registration fee)

Important event admissions requirements: Name badge required for entry into the event. The only bags allowed into the ballpark are 100 percent clear bags or small bags, no larger than 5” x 7” x ¾” in size. Please plan accordingly. For more information, see Washington Nationals Bag Policy.

Metro accessible (via Ballpark/Navy Yard stop on Green Line). Guests who are using Ride Share Apps should be dropped off along N Street SE and Half Street SE

NAFSA Awards Luncheon, sponsored by NYU 
Wednesday, May 31, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join NAFSA to celebrate achievements in internationalization, international education, and advocacy.  At this special luncheon, our community honors the 2023 recipients of the five International Education Awards, the Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, NAFSA Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award, and the Advocate of the Year. $40 Member/Non-Member

Closing Celebration: The Road to The Big Easy
Friday, June 2, 12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Celebrate a full conference week and look ahead to next year’s gathering at the closing celebration, featuring the Naptown Brass Band. Nicknamed “The Big Easy” for the easy-going, laid-back way of life enjoyed by local residents, New Orleans is the location for the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo. Full of rich culture, history, and colorful landscape, get a taste of what New Orleans has to offer the NAFSA community at the final NAFSA 2023 event. (Included in registration fee)

Ways to Network at the Conference

Professional growth at NAFSA 2023 doesn’t stop when you step out of a session. Here are some suggestions for easy networking during your conference experience:

• Visit a community center: Relax in informal networking areas designated by each knowledge community. Arrange to meet colleagues here or drop in to meet new people.
• Join an open meeting, where each knowledge community highlights hot topics and trends. There are numerous open meetings scheduled in community centers throughout the conference.
• Meet new people in the Capital Studio, the hub of DC programming! 
• Explore the International Education Expo. Connect with over 400 exhibitors in the expo hall to discover the latest innovations in international education programs, products, and services. This is also a great place to meet people for coffee breaks.
• Talk with presenters one-on-one at the poster fairs to share best practices and new research.
• Attend a Member Interest Group meeting and connect with colleagues in a small and focused setting. 
• Volunteer: Signing up to be a conference volunteer is an excellent way to meet new colleagues and to save some money on conference registration at the same time. More information about volunteering available soon.
• Connect via the NAFSA 2023 app (available in May): You can search for and send messages to fellow attendees on the app before and during the conference.