What are the official dates of the Annual Conference? 
The NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo will take place in San Diego, CA beginning Tuesday, May 27, and ending Friday, May 30, 2025.

When does registration for NAFSA 2025 open?
Registration for the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo opens on February 4, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.

When does conference registration begin on site? 
On-site registration opens on Sunday, May 25 at 8:00 a.m.

What is the address, telephone number, and web address of the San Diego Convention Center?
111 Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 525-5000
https://www.visitsandiego.com/

When does registration for NAFSA 2025 open?
Registration NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo opens on February 4, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern.

What is included in the price of registration?
By registering for the conference, you receive access to over 150 sessions, 14 poster fairs (including access to a virtual poster gallery), Symposium on Leadership, Latin America and Caribbean Forum, Africa Forum, and 2 plenary speakers. You will also get unlimited access to the International Education Expo Hall and can enjoy the complimentary offerings at the Tuesday morning Kick-off Cafe and the opening and closing celebrations. On the online planner, events with an additional fee will be indicated with a $. 

Can I register by mail?
Yes, to register by mail, complete the NAFSA 2025 Registration Form (coming soon!) and send it with your check to the address printed on the form. 

Do presenters need to register?
All presenters and trainers must register for the conference. The cost associated with attending the NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo, including registration, is the responsibility of individual presenters. 

Does NAFSA offer group registration?
Currently, NAFSA is not offering group registration prices for the NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo. Registrants should register with their personal NAFSA ID and receive individual registration login information. NAFSA prohibits the sharing of login credentials.

What methods of payment are accepted?
NAFSA accepts American Express, Discover Card, MasterCard, and Visa credit cards as forms of payment. Complete credit card information must be provided with online registration or on the registration form.

To pay by check, please email NAFSA 2025 Registration Support at [email protected] and [email protected].

Wire transfers will only be accepted for registrants outside the United States.

Please note: institutional purchase orders are not accepted as payment.

For more information, please email NAFSA Accounting at [email protected].

Registration forms will not be processed without full payment. Online registrations will be considered originals. Do not mail your registration form after you have registered online, as your credit card may be charged more than once.

What is NAFSA's cancellation, refund, and change policy?

• Cancellation requests for registration, workshops/Management Development Program must be made in writing and received no later than Friday, May 2, 2025. Any cancellations received after this date will not be refunded.
• A $200 (USD) cancellation fee will be deducted from an attendees’ conference registration refunds, and a $200 (USD) cancellation fee will be deducted from workshop/Management Development Program registration refunds, up to a $400 (USD) maximum deduction for multiple cancellations. Changes to a workshop registration will result in a $25 change fee per workshop. If NAFSA cancels a workshop, you will receive notification of the cancellation and a full refund.
• All requests for cancellations, changes, and refunds must be made in writing and emailed to [email protected].
• Refunds, if approved, may be processed 4 to 6 weeks after our conference.
• Refunds will be issued to the original method of payment used at the time of purchase. NAFSA will reach out to international attendees who paid via wire transfer to obtain the institution's wire transfer details/instructions. 
• There are no refunds for special event registrations unless the event is sold out or canceled.
• NAFSA will waive the cancellation fee if an attendee is unable to: obtain a visa for travel to the United States, travel to the United States due to a travel ban initiated by the Unites States or the attendee’s home country, or travel to SAN Diego, CA due to an institutional travel ban.
• Should NAFSA cancel the 2025 annual conference, cancellation fees will be waived and full refunds for registration fees will be processed. Note: full refunds include registration fees, workshop fees, signature program fees, and special event fees.
• See below for information on canceling hotel reservations.

Learn more about Hotels and Travel.

When will housing open?
Housing will open on February 4th, 2025.

What is the estimated hotel price range?
The hotel price ranges from $262.00 - $319.00. 

Where is the headquarters hotel?
The headquarters hotel is the Marriot Marquis San Diego Marina located at 333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.

Why should I book in the NAFSA official housing block?
Attendees who book in the NAFSA block receive the following exclusive benefits:

• Competitively priced hotels within walking distance
• Protection in the event the hotel oversells its rooms
• Peace of mind that you are booked in a pre-vetted, pre-negotiated room
• Exclusive access to Orchid’s housing customer service
• Complimentary Wi-Fi included in your room rate

NAFSA is only able to provide customer service, protect reservations if the hotel oversells its room inventory, and plan properly for the event (e.g., secure the appropriate number of shuttle buses) if reservations are made through NAFSA’s housing block.

San Diego, CA is a popular destination over Memorial Day weekend, and NAFSA prioritizes safe, high-quality accommodation options to ensure attendees have an enjoyable experience in the city. We are pleased to offer vetted hotel accommodation at affordable and guaranteed rates, all within walking distance of the convention center. 

What should I do if I can’t book all nights at my preferred hotel?
If you are experiencing difficulty making your reservation, you may also call 1-888-310-1390 or 1-801-214-7280 (international) to speak with an Orchid.Events customer care representative, or you can email [email protected]. Orchid.Events is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ET), excluding federal holidays. 

Orchid.Events continually works with the hotels on room inventory, and there is a high probability it will obtain additional rooms for the waitlisted nights. Should your waitlisted reservation be confirmed, you will receive a new acknowledgment within 5 business days from Orchid.Events. If unable to clear your waitlisted reservation, Orchid.Events will contact you to discuss alternative accommodations.

My preferred hotel is sold out. What should I do?
Many hotels in the official hotel room block sell out quickly. In order to secure the best rate possible on your hotel accommodation, you should choose another hotel from the list.

I would like to extend my hotel stay, and the dates are not available online. What should I do?
If your desired dates are unavailable or you would like to stay before or after the official conference dates, call 1-888-310-1390 to speak with an Orchid.Events customer care representative. Orchid.Events is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ET), excluding federal holidays. 

I received an acknowledgment from Orchid.Events. Will I hear from the hotel directly?
You will not receive an additional reservation confirmation from your hotel. The housing acknowledgment received from Orchid.Events when you book your room serves as confirmation of your reservation. The hotel will not have a record of your reservation until a few days prior to the beginning of the conference. If you have questions about your reservation or need to make a change, you may access your reservation online or email [email protected].

Can I cancel my hotel room after I’ve made the reservation?
Hotel accommodations can be cancelled until Monday, April 14, 2025, without penalty. To cancel your reservation, please contact Orchid Events at [email protected]. After Monday, April 14, 2025 all cancelled hotel rooms will be charged one night’s rate plus tax.

What kind of accessibility arrangements are available?
NAFSA can assist with accessible needs; please indicate what your needs are during registration or send an email request to [email protected].

NAFSA is willing to assist with accessible needs; please indicate what your needs are on the appropriate line provided on the registration form. When making hotel reservations, please specify your needs under the “Room Type Requested” section of the hotel reservation form. Please note that all conference hotels are wheelchair accessible.

Where are the conference sessions and workshops being held?
This year, NAFSA annual conference workshops and sessions will be offered exclusively through in-person programming. You can view our full programming through our Online Planner (coming soon!)

Can I still register for a preconference workshop on site?
Workshop space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Please register for workshops in advance.

What types of sessions or workshops are being offered?
Check the conference website and online planner for more information on the conference offerings, descriptions, schedule and locations. Note: the online planner is constantly being updated. The mobile app will be available in early May 2025.

How does NAFSA make the final selections for sessions, workshops, and posters?
A volunteer committee, the Annual Conference Committee, leads the process of reviewing and selecting the final program for the event. If you are interested in tips for submitting in the future, stay tuned for a post event webinar, “How to Write a Winning Proposal.”

Are programs aside from sessions, workshops, and poster fairs offered?
Yes! NAFSA prides itself on providing a rich, robust program at our annual conference for all areas of international education. We work closely with volunteer leaders to develop a comprehensive program that includes opportunities to network. Be sure to arrive by Monday to participate in workshops and by Tuesday to attend a day filled with opportunities to connect, reconvene, and learn from others in the field.

How do I obtain a visa letter of invitation?
To submit a request for a visa letter of invitation, please fill out the 2025 Invitation Letter Form. Please check with your local U.S. consulate to allow sufficient time for visa processing. A request for a letter of invitation to attend the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo does not guarantee you will obtain a visa.

Where can I message or locate someone attending the conference?
Anyone can view list of attendees after they have registered for the conference. Attendees will only be able to use the networking features after they have registered and logged in. Once logged in, attendees may begin building their schedule and connecting with other participants.

How do I find out about volunteer opportunities at the annual conference?
The NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo needs volunteers to assist with workshops, sessions, and other activities. More information about volunteering at NAFSA 2025 is coming soon.

Are registration discounts available to conference volunteers?
All conference volunteers must first register and pay the conference registration fee. Based on documented hours worked, volunteers may be reimbursed 50 to 100 percent of the general conference registration fee paid. Reimbursements are made 4 to 6 weeks after the conclusion of the conference.

How do I become a volunteer?
You must be a conference attendee in order to serve as a conference volunteer. 

What jobs will I perform as a volunteer?
Examples of shifts are as follows:

• Taking tickets and directing traffic at plenaries and special events
• Assisting with exhibitor check-in at registration
• Working the registration area to hand out materials and tote bags
• Providing local information and directions at the Conference Information and Hospitality Center
• Monitoring sessions and handing out and collecting session evaluations

How long are the shifts?
Shifts range from 2 hours to 6+ hours, so plan your schedule accordingly and be sure you are able to commit to shifts you take.

Can I choose my shifts?
Yes. Volunteers will be able to add shifts based on their own availability and interest. Check back for further instructions once volunteer enrollment opens.

Will additional shifts be added?
Additional shifts will be added throughout March and April as the conference schedule and needs develop.

What will I be required to wear?
When you check in at the LAT office at the convention center for your first volunteer shift, you will be given an identifier to wear when on duty, to show that you are a volunteer. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as most shifts require you to be on your feet for long periods of time.