2024 NAFSA Region XI Conference

Registration will open on July 23, 2024.
Early bird: July 23rd until Oct 1, 2024. 
Regular/onsite: Oct 2nd until Oct 28, 2024. 

Complete this form to be considered for an invitation letter.

All attendees traveling to the US from abroad can request a visa letter of invitation via the link above.

All requests submitted by October 1st will be screened, but not all requests will be approved. Please allow one week from your date of submission for delivery. If approved, an invitation letter on official letterhead will be issued to you as a PDF document and will be e-mailed to the address you provided.

Please check with your local U.S. consulate to allow sufficient time for visa processing. Your request for a letter of invitation to attend a NAFSA regional conference does not guarantee that you will receive a visa.

Parking

The address for the Hartford Marriott Downtown is 200 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT. Attached to the Hartford Marriott Downtown and Connecticut Convention Center is a covered eight-floor parking garage with 2,600 parking spaces.The garage offers self-parking and valet service options. Please review the detailed information below for hotel guests and day only attendees. You can also review parking rates and information on CT Convention Center site here.

We strongly recommend leaving yourself extra time for parking. It is a large and crowded lot. Finding a spot and walking from the parking to the Hotel or Convention Center may take some extra time. 

Hotel guests can drive to what appears to be the back of the Hotel.  You will be on Columbus Boulevard once you exit the highway- from any direction.  You will then turn either left or right onto Grove Street which is a small street that runs in between the Hotel and the CT Science Center.  At the first and only light, you will turn right onto the garage access road.  You will see the entrance doors for the Hotel to check-in and the parking gates ahead of you.

Self Parking: Proceed to the parking gate and take a ticket from the machine. The gate will open and you can proceed to park. The garage has some signage that specifies hotel parking and Convention Center parking; however, you are more than welcome to park anywhere, except for the handicap & electric vehicle areas, unless applicable. The current overnight discounted rates are $19.00 for self-park per night. 

In and out privileges:  You should go to the indoor parking window and specify that you will need in and out privileges. You must prepay and then Propark will adjust your voucher to allow in & out privileges. If you do not make this distinction, your voucher will not allow you to go in & out of the property and you will be charged more. Please note that in and out is not an additional cost.

Valet Service: You can request Valet Parking at the booth on Grove St entrance. The parking attendant will assist you with setting up the phone app, coordinate vehicle parking, and guide you in how to call your car when you are ready to depart. The valet booth is open 24 hours.  The current overnight discounted rates are $25.00 for valet parking per night.

Day Only Attendees

The address for the Connecticut Convention Center is 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT.

Conference attendees can enter the garage on Columbus Boulevard. You can park in the Convention Center parking areas. A daily discounted parking pass will be available at the NAFSA registration table at the Convention Center for Sunday-Tuesday. 
 

Destination Hartford Digital Passports
Experience the vibrant city of Hartford while exploring its 30+ restaurants, 15 craft cocktail lounges, and an array of attractions. Discover the best of Hartford with free digital passports through Destination Hartford. The mobile passports unlock a curated collection of attractions and irresistible deals and discounts for you to enjoy during your visit. When visiting participating businesses, simply present your phone to redeem available discounts.

Download the digital app and Discover Hartford!

dash Shuttle
The dash Shuttle is a free downtown Hartford bus line that operates approximately every 15 minutes, Monday through Friday, from 7:00am to 7:00pm.The dash Shuttle route connects the CT Convention Center, the Riverfront, the CT Science Center, the Arts and Entertainment District, and various restaurants.

Visit the Local Arrangements table
NAFSA’s Local Arrangements table will be located on the main level of the CT Convention Center when you enter the building. NAFSA volunteers and Convention Center staff can answer your questions, share resources, and guide you in using the information kiosks to learn more about local restaurants, bars, and attractions. Hartford has lots to enjoy during the conference. Check out hartford.com to see all that is going on in the city.

Pre-Conference Workshops/CEP

We are excited to be offering the following pre-conference workshops:

J-1 Intermediate Advising (ISSS) - Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, October 27
This workshop compliments and broadens your knowledge gained after completing the J-1 Advising for Beginners workshop since it goes more deeply into grey areas of J advising. This workshop is designed to help you think through the development of policies, procedures, and practices necessary to maintain a healthy J program for your institution. Ample time is provided to focus on model practices based on current scenarios as well as to reflect on how these practices could improve your own J program.

Following this workshop, participants will be able to: 

• Build a conceptual foundation and practical knowledge for J-1 advising.
• Develop critical analytical skills for resolving common J-1 Exchange Visitor dilemmas. 
• Balance and manage the interests of key constituencies. 
• Establish solid professional networks in the J-1 visa community.
   

F-1 Intermediate Advising (ISSS) -  Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, October 27
Discuss the gray areas of F-1 Advising and explore the nuances of more complex issues regarding maintenance of status, travel and reentry, employment and STEM OPT, change of status, and reinstatement. Designed for experienced international student advisers.

Following this workshop, participants will be able to: 

• Be a self-sufficient adviser by knowing your resources
• Develop interpretations of F-1 regulations and guidance
• Interpret and develop institutional policy
• Learn techniques to advise F-1 students on situations where clear guidance is not available

To learn more about the NAFSA CEP Workshops, please visit the NAFSA website. You can register to participate in these workshops as part of your conference registration.

The 2024 Region XI Conference is scheduled to begin on the afternoon of Saturday, October 26 and last through the day on Tuesday, October 29.

The full Region XI Conference Online Planner is live!  Through the Online Planner, you can view the time, room, presenters, descriptions, and learning objectives of the sessions.  There is also information on Sponsors, Exhibitors, and more!

Case Study Competition

Are you looking to flex your internationalization muscles? Want to tackle a complex international education scenario with a team?  In addition to our regular programming, we're excited to bring the Case Competition for the first time to our region!

Groups will consist of 2-3 members, and the winner of the in-person presentation will be announced at the Regional conference. Participants will receive a case study that presents a hypothetical university role with certain goals to be worked towards, several limiting factors, and a description of stakeholders. The team with the best solution will receive certificates acknowledging their achievement and 50% off registration to next year's regional conference!

You can sign up with a team of 2-3 people, or register solo and get matched with a partner or group! 

Case Study Registration Deadline: October 20th. Space is limited and participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Questions can be directed to Ruby Cheng  (Region XI TLS Rep), [email protected].

Register for case study here

Conference Schedule At-A-Glance

NAFSA’s Signature Career Development Hub is a pop-up at our Region XI conference every year where attendees can gain essential skills, information, and resources to level up their career in International Education.

Career Development Hub is thankful to our sponsor, Boston University Global Programs Study Abroad. 

Boston University Study Abroad is a provider of world-class intern & study abroad programs, being the first university to offer internship opportunities abroad on several continents. Students from BU and other colleges and universities can participate in any of our 200+ programs, in 30+ cities, across 20+ countries. Our study abroad programs cultivate the intellectual, professional, and personal qualities necessary for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

Here is a schedule of events hosted by Career Development Hub. Feel free to stop in for a specific event, or anytime during conference hours to learn more about resources available.

Headshots: We are delighted to share that we will be offering FREE headshots at the conference! If you missed your sign-up at registration, please come see us at the Career Development Hub to see if there are additional time slots.

Micro-sessions: Level up your skills with the Career Development Hub Micro-Sessions!  

Resume Review and Enhancement
We will share tactics and strategies to make your resume stand out. Learn how to effectively showcase your expertise and align your experience with the industry's evolving demands. 

Skills that Pay the Bills: Leveraging NAFSA’s Core Competencies for Career Success
In this 20-minute workshop, we’ll dive into the NAFSA 12 Core Competencies and how they can shape your professional growth in international education. Ideal for international advisors, recruiters, and study abroad professionals, this session will highlight the essential skills needed to thrive in the field. 

Exploring Off-Campus Career Paths in International Education 
Join us for a dynamic 20-minute workshop for international advisors, recruiters, and study abroad professionals looking to explore career opportunities beyond the traditional college campus setting. Discover alternative paths in global education consulting, international organizations, and private sector roles that leverage your expertise in fostering cross-cultural exchange. Whether you’re 
considering a new direction or curious about expanding your skill set, this session will provide valuable insights and practical advice for navigating new career landscapes in international education.

Additional Career and Networking Resources Available: 
Do you struggle with small chat? Are you nervous to network? Are you looking for specific opportunities and skills to advance your career? NAFSA’s signature Career Development Hub will feature various resources to access anytime throughout the conference. Stop by to learn more about career development opportunities, and enjoy the Conversational Questions around the conference to network meaningfully with fellow conference attendees. 

NAFSA is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religion. NAFSA does not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience, including people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for the conference. Participants violating these rules may be asked to leave the conference at the sole discretion of NAFSA’s management. If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, or if you witness unacceptable behavior, please inform the Regional Conference Planner, who will inform NAFSA staff, so that we may resolve any concerns. If you or another event participant witnesses or is a party to imminent physical danger or distress, promptly alert the appropriate security, law enforcement, or emergency medical authorities. This Code applies to all NAFSA members and event attendees in all NAFSA meeting venues, including the regional conference, ancillary events and social gatherings, whether officially sponsored by NAFSA or not and whether held in-person or virtually.

Conference registration and/or workshop registration may be canceled with full refund less a 10% processing fee, any time up until four (4) weeks prior, September 27, to the conference start date.

A 50% refund is available for conference registration and/or workshop registration provided written notification is received between four (4) weeks, September 27, and two (2) weeks prior, October 14, to the conference start date.

No refunds will be granted after October 14, 2024. In the case of emergency/extenuating circumstances, special requests may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the regional leadership team following the conference.

NAFSA follows COVID-19 safety protocols as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and local ordinances in the conference location, which currently do not require proof of vaccination or masking. Should the mandates change, NAFSA reserves the right to adjust conference attendance policies accordingly.

NAFSA strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccination and boosters, as vaccines are recommended as a proven way to prevent the threat of critical illness. Many attendees may still choose to wear masks indoors, and we ask that all attendees respect those who elect to do so. NAFSA recommends attendees self-test before leaving home for the conference. If you feel ill on-site, please remain in your hotel room and test to determine your health status.

By registering for this event, you agree to the collection of contact and demographic information in accordance with NAFSA’s Privacy Policy. This includes any information unique to you that is available in the individual's NAFSA profile. NAFSA will share limited information (name, title, organization, state, and country) in the official attendee list. NAFSA may further share your contact information according to your selected “Communication Preferences” in your MyNAFSA and in accordance with NAFSA’s Privacy Policy.

Your data will be collected and utilized for NAFSA: Association of International Educators, organizer of this event, to allow your access to the event as well as its digital platform, CadmiumCD. Additionally, you agree to the sharing of your contact information with the trainers, coaches, and other program participants for the purpose of fulfilling the program for which you have registered. As a condition to participation, attendees consent to be recorded.

NAFSA is committed to providing universal access to its products, services, digital content, and events and, in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs so we ask that requests for accommodations be made as early as possible, preferably at least three weeks in advance of the regional conference start date, through the registration process, if possible. Or, you can contact [email protected] for accommodation requests. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner, but services are subject to availability, and further, NAFSA may not be able to grant accommodations requests that place an undue burden on it or that fundamentally change the nature or structure of the goods or services.