Volunteer at NAFSA 2026

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Overview

Volunteer at NAFSA 2026

Volunteer opportunities will be available on Monday, March 16, at 9:00 a.m. ET.

More than 200 volunteers are needed each year to help make the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo a success. Volunteering is a great way to network while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the conference and potentially earning a conference discount. Volunteering is open to all conference attendees. Volunteers assist and support the following key areas of the conference:

Bookstore and publication sales
Career Center
Conference Information and Hospitality Center
NAFSA Pavilion
On-site registration
Session aids/monitors
Special events
Workshops, registration area, and conference information
And many more

Based on documented hours worked, volunteers may be reimbursed 50-100 percent of the general conference registration fee paid.

Volunteer Information

Scheduling and Attendance

All volunteer scheduling will be handled through the web page for VolunteerLocal, NAFSA's online scheduler. On the page, volunteers will be able to:

View available shifts in the event calendar
Pick up shifts they want to work and manage their shifts based on their availability
Receive confirmation of their shifts in a timely fashion
View and print their calendar of scheduled shifts at any time
Change or cancel shifts as needed prior to the start of the conference
Communicate with volunteer managers and receive email updates regarding their shift details

If you sign up to volunteer, please check your VolunteerLocal calendar for your scheduled shifts and arrive on time. Prior to your first shift of the conference, you will need to check in at the Local Arrangements Team (LAT) office, located in the Convention Center, to receive your volunteer identification and timesheet for the week.

Any no-shows or habitual tardiness could affect your registration rebate and ability to volunteer at future conferences. If a scheduling conflict arises, please alert the volunteer coordinator at least 24 hours before the shift is scheduled to begin. There will also be a phone number available during the conference.

Reimbursement Policy

Based on documented hours worked, volunteers may be reimbursed 50-100 percent of the general conference registration fee paid. Reimbursements are processed 4-6 weeks after the conference and are paid in the same manner as your registration fees (i.e. credited to credit card, check cut back to institution, etc.).

50% reimbursement for 10 - 19 hours
100% reimbursement for 20 or more hours

Volunteer Descriptions

Bookstore
Volunteers will assist in the bookstore by answering questions, directing customers to products, and helping them complete their bookstore order forms. They may also be asked to assist with restocking shelves and displays.

Career Center
As a Career Adviser, you will meet one-on-one with registrants seeking career advice, a quick scan of a resume, and views on international education. We welcome your enthusiastic and knowledgeable support for IE professionals who will benefit from your perspective.

Conference Information Center
Volunteers will work with the Local Arrangements Team to provide information to attendees who visit the Conference Information Center. Duties will include answering questions, directing attendees to various conference activities, and handing out local maps and brochures.

NAFSA Pavilion
Volunteers can advance their own careers by becoming knowledgeable about ways to connect with NAFSA, meet with other members, and get to know staff. They will be asked to recruit conference participants to connect with NAFSA.

On-site registration
Volunteers will assist attendees registering and checking in for the conference. Duties will include handing out conference materials and answering general questions at the registration desk.

Sessions and workshops
Volunteers will be responsible for guiding participants to events, ensuring individuals find seats, assisting in handout delivery, and other duties assigned by NAFSA staff.

Special events
Volunteers will assist attendees at all NAFSA special events. Because many of the events are ticketed, volunteers will be asked to take tickets at the door, assist with crowd control, and hold signage.