While my blog posts leading up to the annual conference have included many San Diego lists of “must dos, sees, and eats,” today’s post provides a smorgasbord of reminders to help get the most out of NAFSA’s 2014 Annual Conference and your visit to San Diego!
Kick Off Your Conference at the Opening Celebration!
Tuesday, May 27, 5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Enjoy the ocean breeze and a magnificent sunset on the San Diego Bay! As a part of your registration fee, the Opening Celebration will include food stations and one drink ticket per person (beer, wine, and soft drinks). A cash bar will also be available. Guest tickets are available online or at registration. The celebration will feature live music by musician, humanitarian, and children's book author Michael Franti, who is recognized as a pioneering force in using music as a vehicle for positive change. Also known for his unforgettable, high-energy shows, Franti achieved multiplatinum success with his song "Say Hey (I Love You)" and the chart-breaking 2010 release of "The Sound of Sunshine.” Franti and his band guarantee a thought-provoking show that promises to be a fun dance party… so bring your dancing shoes!
Anyone Can Volunteer! It’s Not Too Late!
Why not pick up one or two volunteer shifts during the conference? It’s an easy and fun way to get involved, network, and give back to NAFSA. Picking up a volunteer shift is easy! Simply sign up on the volunteer scheduling website by May 23 and select an open volunteer session.
In case you still need your arm twisted a bit, the Local Arrangements Team Volunteer Committee has created the Top 5 Reasons to Volunteer at NAFSA:
- For anyone attending workshops and sessions, it’s easy to become an evaluations volunteerto assist in facilitating the session evaluation process.
- Volunteering can be used as a great vehicle to network with hundreds of international education professionals from all over the world. Go ahead… strike up a conversation!
- Volunteering can potentially help you save on your conference registration! If you volunteer more than 20 hours during the week, you save on your conference registration. If you can volunteer for just a couple of hours… that is great too!
- Volunteering can show your boss that you support the NAFSA conference and help encourage your attendance at future NAFSA events!
- This is your opportunity to wear an extremely fashionable “volunteer sash.”
- BONUS: All of this volunteering takes place in the beautiful San Diego Convention Center, which sits right along a gorgeous bay front, surrounded by amazing restaurants, unique shops, and Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres!
Attention Facebookers and Tweeters!
Calling all social media enthusiasts! Don’t forget to share your NAFSA 14 conference experiences with the world! Use the hashtag #NAFSA14 and post your best NAFSA conference tweets and status updates on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. If you have not already done so, become a part of NAFSA's 2014 Annual Conference & Expo group on Facebook.
Check Out Our Local Arrangement Team’s Hospitality Committee Webpage
Our Hospitality Committee has been busy creating a terrific webpage with a ton of information on a local’s guide to maneuvering San Diego. You will find local hospitality information in the lobby of the Convention Center each day throughout the conference. Stop by and meet the local San Diego international educators on the Hospitality Committee, who are ready to help you make the most out of your week in sunny San Diego!
Bradley Moon is the Local Arrangements Team (LAT) communications chair for NAFSA’s 2014 Annual Conference & Expo. Bradley was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and spent a number of years living, studying, and working abroad. He earned his master’s degree from Hawai`i Pacific University in Honolulu and began his higher education career in in 2005 after touring with Cirque du Soleil throughout Europe and North America. Moon is currently the assistant director of international recruitment and communication at San Diego State University, having worked for Hawai`i Pacific University and the University of Hawai`i – Leeward Community College.