NAFSA Online Press Kit – 64th Annual Conference & Expo

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Welcome to the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo online press kit. NAFSA's conference is the world's premier gathering of international education professionals, bringing together thousands of participants from more than 100 countries.

What: Discovering Big Ideas in International Education
Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas
When: Tuesday, May 29 – Friday, June 1, 2012

Discovering the Conference

Begin planning now to take full advantage of the opportunity to hear from expert presenters on a wide range of international education topics. Complete session information is available online.

Plenary Events

NAFSA is pleased to announce a unique and exciting slate of speakers for this year’s conference. The Wednesday plenary will feature Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leyman Gbowee of Liberia, and travel author and TV host Rick Steves will speak on Thursday. Ambassador Jan Eliasson will be the international plenary and luncheon speaker on Friday, the last day of the conference.

Please note that the opening plenary on Tuesday with former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is closed to the news media.

Learn more about this year's plenary speakers.

NAFSA Expo Hall

Explore this exciting feature of the conference in the George R. Brown Convention Center all week, with exhibitors representing hundreds of organizations from around the world, including colleges and universities, study abroad and intensive-English programs, embassies and government agencies, and more. Learn more at www.nafsa.org/ac12expo. Expo Hall hours:

Date	Time
Tuesday, May 29	8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 30	8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 31	8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Friday, June 1	8:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

The NAFSA Media Pass

Reporters wishing to cover the conference should register in advance by submitting a completed media pass registration form (104kb

) by Tuesday, May 23, 2012. NAFSA Media Pass holders will be able to access the NAFSA Conference and Expo between Tuesday, May 29, and Friday, June 1, 2012, including the International Education Expo Hall during its normal operating hours; the daily plenary events, except for the opening plenary with Robert Gates, which is closed to news media; conference sessions; and the opening ceremony and closing reception.

The following are closed to the news media: conference workshops, private events, special events that require pre-registration or payment of a fee, and meetings of NAFSA leadership and member groups. For more information, see our Media Pass Policy.

Arrival at Conference

Press check-in on-site in Houston begins at 7:00 AM on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. Media passes will not be issued prior to this time.

To collect their Media Pass, reporters must present media credentials, such as a business card or official press badge, as well as photo identification, at check-in.

More Ways to Connect

There are numerous ways to connect with NAFSA and the international education community through social media.

About NAFSA

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world's largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. NAFSA's nearly 10,000 members are located at more than 3,500 institutions worldwide, in over 150 countries.

Advocacy	Expert Resources	Statistics
NAFSA is the nation's leading policy voice for international education and exchange.	Arrange an interview with one of NAFSA's expert staff.	International students and their dependents contribute billions of dollars each year to state economies. Find out how many U.S. students study abroad.

Media Pass Registration

NAFSA Media Contacts

General Inquiries:
Katie O'Connell
katieo[at]nafsa.org
202.495.2559

Interview Requests:
Ursula Oaks
ursulao[at]nafsa.org
202.495.2553

Conference Press Room

Room 380D
May 29 – June 1
9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.

Conference Information

Latest News

February 23, 2012
Travel Guide and TV Host Rick Steves to Address NAFSA Annual Conference in Houston
February 9, 2012
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee and Ambassador Jan Eliasson to Address NAFSA 2012 Annual Conference in Houston
October 25, 2011
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Speak at Opening Plenary of NAFSA 2012 Annual Conference & Expo