Schedule at a Glance
The NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo provides you with an expansive array of diverse learning, engagement, and networking opportunities.
Review dates and times of concurrent learning sessions, special programs, expo engagement, networking events, and more!
Sunday, May 24, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Management Development Program Day 1 |
| 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Satellite Registration Open - HQ Hotel |
Monday, May 25, 2026 | |
| 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Management Development Program Day 2 |
| 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Workshops |
| 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | NAFSA-EXPLORE: K-12 Global Summit |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Orientation for International Attendees |
| 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Satellite Registration Open - HQ Hotel |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Orientation for First-Time Attendees |
| 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Networking for First-Time Attendees |
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | |
| 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Satellite Registration Open - HQ Hotel |
| 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Conference Kickoff |
| 9:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Opening Keynote: Leila Cobo |
| 11:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Open Expo/ Bookstore/Pavilion/ Career Center/ KC Community Centers |
| 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Workshops |
| 12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Management Development Program Day 3 |
| 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Community Dialogues, Sunshine Studio, NAFSA Interest Group Meetings |
| 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | International Student and Scholar Services Management Seminar |
| 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Symposium on Leadership |
| 3:30 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions: To-the-Point 25-minute Sessions |
| 4:15 p.m. – 5:05 p.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Satellite Registration Open - HQ Hotel |
| 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Opening Celebration |
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | |
| 7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. | Wellness Activity |
| 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:15 a.m. – 9:05 a.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Open Expo/ Bookstore/Pavilion/ Career Center/ KC Community Centers |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | 7th Annual Africa NOW Forum |
| 9:30 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Poster Fair Presentations |
| 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Community Dialogues, Sunshine Studio, NAFSA Interest Group Meetings |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. | Spotlight Speaker: Dana Joseph, PhD |
| 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | NAFSA Awards Banquet (ticketed event with additional fee) |
| 1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 2:10 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. | Community Dialogues, Sunshine Studio, NAFSA Interest Group Meetings |
| 3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:20 p.m. | Spotlight Speaker: Christopher Bell, PhD |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:20 p.m. | Regional Meet-Ups |
| 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Emerging Voices Reception |
Thursday, May 28, 2026 | |
| 7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. | Wellness Activity |
| 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Open Expo/ Bookstore / Pavilion / Career Center / KC Community Centers |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Thursday Keynote |
| 10:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions: To-the-Point 25-minute Sessions |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Community Dialogues, Sunshine Studio, NAFSA Interest Group Meetings |
| 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. | Spotlight Speaker: Barbara Bouza, FAIA, NOMA, IIDA |
| 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Poster Fair Presentations |
| 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | 16th Annual Latin America and Caribbean Forum |
| 12:30 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. | Community Dialogues, Sunshine Studio, NAFSA Interest Group Meetings |
| 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Annual Business Meeting |
| 3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 4:45 p.m. – 5:35 p.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
Friday, May 29, 2026 | |
| 7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. | Wellness Activity |
| 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Learning Excursions |
| 8:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Open Expo/ Bookstore/Pavilion/ KC Community Centers |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. | Global Outlook Spotlight Panel |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | Community Dialogues, Sunshine Studio, NAFSA Interest Group Meetings |
| 11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Concurrent Learning Sessions |
| 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Closing Celebration |
Monday, June 1, 2026 | |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | NAFSA Encore: The Americas at the Center of Global Debates – Views from Miami |
* Schedule times are in Eastern Time, items subject to change.