Special Events

NAFSA's 60th Anniversary Annual Conference & Expo offered a wide array of special events that truly enhanced the attendees' conference experience - from networking receptions and Embassy dinners to specialized seminars and the Opening Reception being hosted in the Expo Hall for the first time this year.

Connecting with Your Colleagues (Knowledge Community) Networking Receptions
Monday, May 26 ~ 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Mingle and meet with your colleagues; connect with old friends and familiar faces. Each knowledge community will meet in a different location, but attendees are welcome to visit as many receptions as they wish. KC Education Abroad - Renaissance DC Hotel, Grand Ballroom KC International Student and Scholar Services - Renaissance DC Hotel, 12/13/14 International Education Leadership KC - Renaissance DC Hotel, Renaissance Ballroom Recruitment, Admissions, and Preparation KC- Renaissance DC Hotel, Congressional Hall Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship KC - Renaissance DC Hotel, 8/9 Fee: Included in your registration fee. This event is open to registered conference attendees only. Mark your intention to attend on the registration form.
Opening Reception and 60th Anniversary Celebration
Tuesday, May 27 ~ 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Washington Convention Center, Hall DE Experience the Colorful and Diverse Flavors of Washington, D.C., Neighborhoods For the first time, NAFSA will host its opening reception in the International Education Expo Hall among more than 500 exhibitors. Join colleagues and exhibitors for conversation, cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres at the festive opening reception highlighting famous Washington, D.C., neighborhoods including Adams Morgan, Chinatown, Georgetown, and the U Street Corridor. Fee: Included in your registration fee; $60 for each guest. Mark your intention to attend on the registration form.
International Education Leadership Knowledge Community Update Meeting and Breakfast
Wednesday, May 28 • 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, Grand Ballroom North Join your colleagues for breakfast and an update on what the International Education Leadership Knowledge Community team has been doing to create new resources and networks that address the needs of chief international education leaders and mid-career professionals. Preregistration required. Fee: $30 per person. Includes full continental breakfast.
Dinner at an Embassy
Wednesday, May 28 ~ 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. World embassies in Washington, D.C., are offering a very special cultural event with the opportunity to visit and experience their mission, culture, and hospitality. Hear from embassy officials and enjoy a cultural performance representing the host culture while enjoying a dinner of delicious international cuisine. Due to embassy security requirements, photo identification may be required and tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Transportation will depart from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center L Street doors at 6:30 p.m., returning to selected hotels at approximately 9:30 p.m. Fee: $75. Includes round-trip transportation, entertainment, and dinner.
Defining and Measuring Global Student Mobility: New Research and Methodologies - Full
Thursday, May 29 ~ 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel Keynote presenters from educational systems around the world will discuss their studies of international student circulation and note challenges faced. Methodologies will be compared and continuing gaps in research on mobility trends will be pointed out. Participants will be invited to contribute actively to the debate and will be sent research questions in advance to review. An updated bibliography will be available. No fee, but seating is limited. Mark your intention to attend on the registration form.
Liberal Arts Colleges Luncheon
Thursday, May 29 ~ 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, Grand Ballroom North A special 60th anniversary event to recognize international education at liberal arts colleges. Participants will join their colleagues to network and share information. Speaker: Dr. Carol Geary Schneider, President of the Association of American Colleges and Universities Fee: $50; $60 each for guests.
Two-Year Institutions Luncheon
Thursday, May 29 ~ 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, Grand Ballroom Center NAFSA members from community colleges and other two-year institutions will join with their colleagues to network, share information, and meet our special guests: overseas educational advisers from many countries. Speaker: Dr. Robert G. Templin, Jr., President of Northern Virginia Community College Fee: $50; $60 each for guests.
A Conversation with Azar Nafisi
Thursday, May 29 ~ 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, Auditorium A unique opportunity to meet, hear, and talk with Azar Nafisi, the Iranian-born author of Reading Lolita in Tehran. Professor Nafisi discusses her book and experiences as a university faculty member in Iran and her view on education. Copies of the book are on sale during the conference and Dr. Nafisi will sign books following her presentation. Fee: $30; $40 each for guests. Includes light refreshments and cash bar.
Club NAFSA Dance Party!
Thursday, May 29 ~ 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. Be Bar Nightclub 1318 9th Street, NW (corner of 9th and N Streets, NW) Come party at Be Bar, one of D.C.’s hottest dance spots located in the heart of the nation’s capital. Enjoy the sounds of R&B, hip hop, and international dance music. Fee: $25. Includes light hors d'oeuvres and cash bars.
60th Anniversary International Plenary and Luncheon
Friday, May 30 ~ 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Washington Convention Center, Ballroom The international plenary and luncheon recognizes this year’s delegates from more than 100 countries in celebration of NAFSA’s 60th anniversary. This year’s guest speaker is Amy Chua, the John M. Duff, Jr. Professor of Law at Yale Law School and author of the two provocative books, World on Fire: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and Global Instability and Day of Empire: How Hyperpowers Rise to Global Dominance—and Why They Fall. Amy Chua will sign books after the luncheon. Fee: $60; $70 each for guests.
Closing Reception
Friday, May 30 ~ 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Washington Convention Center, Mt. Vernon Prefunction Area Celebrate the success of this year’s conference in Washington, D.C., and learn about the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California, the site of NAFSA's 2009 Annual Conference & Expo. Enjoy conversation, light refreshments, and enter to win L.A.-related prizes. Fee: Included in your registration fee; $25 for each guest. Mark your intention to attend on the registration form.