2025 NAFSA Region III Conference

 * Earlybird registration ends on October 6, 2025.

** NAFSA Special Members: Student/Retiree

** NAFSA Special Members: Student/Retiree

This year, you will have two days to take advantage of workshops!

We will be offering CEP NAFSA Preconference Workshops and Current Topic Workshops on Sunday, November 2 and Wednesday, November 5.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2

CEP NAFSA Workshops (Full day)

• Risk Assessment and Crisis Management in Education Abroad
• F-1 Student Advising for Beginners
• J-1 Advising for Beginners

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH

CEP NAFSA Workshops (Full day)

• F-1 Student Advising: Intermediate

Current Topic Workshops (Half day)

• Introduction to Employment-Based Immigration
• Introduction to Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance

NAFSA CEP ALL DAY WORKSHOP REGISTRATION

CURRENT TOPIC HALF DAY WORKSHOP REGISTRATION

** NAFSA Special Members: Student/Retiree

Through the Online Planner, you can view the time, room, presenters, descriptions, and learning objectives of the sessions. You can also star the events you're interested in and create your own conference agenda, to view on the mobile webpage at the conference! There is also information on Sponsors, Exhibitors, and more!

Online Planner

Exhibitor and Sponsor Information

Expo Portal

New this year, we are piloting a new ordering method for exhibitors attending 5 or more regional conferences. Interested in exhibiting at multiple conferences this fall? Companies attending 5 or more conferences can fill out this form.

Exhibit Hall

Connect with international education professionals from across Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. This year’s exhibit hall will host all conference refreshment breaks and also offers meeting space, and an outdoor patio with views of beautiful Little Rock, making it the center stage of the conference

Booth Details & Schedule

Please find the following schedule for all exhibitors:

Exhibitor Hours:

Exhibitor booth includes:

• One (1) individual full-conference registration

• One (1) 6’ x 30” table with two chairs
• Visibility in the online conference program
• Free Wi-Fi Access

Please note: Access to power at your exhibitor table may require an additional fee.

Shipments

More information to come.

Sponsorships

NAFSA Region III appreciates the support of our exhibitors and sponsors, who are vital to the region's success and instrumental in supporting our members and their institutions. In addition to exhibiting opportunities, this year's conference allows sponsors additional opportunities to gain visibility while supporting the region.

Travel To and Around Little Rock

Please see the official Little Rock website for various transportation methods. 

Travel with CANIE

This year, we are partnering with the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) Americas Chapter to make climate-conscious choices when traveling to Portland. Learn more about why and how at https://canie.org/take-action/travel-with-canie. 

How can you participate in #TravelwithCANIE? 

Once you’ve made travel arrangements to Portland, tell us your plans so we can calculate our cumulative impact!

Request a Letter of Invitation 

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

All requests submitted by Wednesday, 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.

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, October 5, 2025, 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, October 5, 2025, and two (2) weeks prior, October 19, to the conference start date.

No refunds will be granted after October 19, 2025 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.

The NAFSA Region III Conference will take place in Little Rock, AR.

Conference check-in begins TBD. Workshops will be offered on TBD, and the opening reception will take place that evening. TBD will include breakfast, lunch, and sessions throughout the day in addition to our exhibit hall that will also host our coffee breaks. Our closing ceremony will take place on TBD, and the conference will conclude shortly before noon on TBD.

Registration for the NAFSA Region III Conference opens July 22, 2025.

Little Rock Marriott
3 Statehouse Plaza
Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 906-4000

Web address: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/litpb-little-rock-marriott/overview/

The NAFSA Region III Conference is a premier gathering for professionals in the international education field. We encourage all individuals who are passionate about advancing international education initiatives to attend the conference, including education professionals, students, scholars, and policymakers. Our conference provides a unique opportunity to share knowledge, build networks, and explore best practices, and we welcome all individuals who share our commitment to advancing international education to join us.

We understand that cost is an important consideration for many attendees, and we strive to keep registration fees as affordable as possible. Discounts are available for early bird registration, student status, and NAFSA membership. We encourage attendees to register early to take advantage of the best possible rates.

We understand that attendees want to get the most out of their conference experience, and we strive to provide a comprehensive range of activities and resources to all of our registrants. You'll also have the opportunity to network with other professionals in the field, explore new ideas, and discover best practices in international education. Please refer to our conference planner for more detailed information on what is included with your registration, and feel free to contact our conference team if you have any specific questions or concerns.

We highly recommend booking within the NAFSA official housing block for several reasons. First and foremost, it's the best way to ensure that you'll have convenient and comfortable accommodations during your stay. Our conference hotel was carefully selected for its conference space and amenities, ensuring that you'll be able to maximize your time at the conference. Additionally, by booking within the official block, you'll have access to special rates that aren't available to the general public. So whether you're traveling solo or with a group, we encourage you to take advantage of the NAFSA official housing block to make the most of your conference experience.

While we appreciate the benefits of virtual events, we are excited to offer an in-person conference experience that provides unparalleled opportunities for professional development, networking, and collaboration. We believe that the in-person format will allow for more meaningful and impactful connections and discussions among attendees, presenters, and exhibitors. At this time, we are not planning to offer a virtual option for the conference.

We recommend business casual attire for the conference, but feel free to dress comfortably. Keep in mind that meeting rooms can be cool, so you may want to bring a sweater or jacket.

We have reserved a block of rooms at the Little Rock Marriott for conference attendees at a discounted rate. To book your room, follow the link provided on our website to access the hotel's reservation page. From there, you can select your preferred dates and room type, and complete your reservation with ease. Be sure to book your room early to take advantage of the special conference rate.

You bet! Our networking events and receptions at the NAFSA Region III conference are not to be missed. In addition to traditional networking opportunities, there will be a closing ceremony to celebrate the conference and all that we've learned, as well as other local arrangements that showcase the city's culture and history. These events are a great way to connect with colleagues and make lasting connections in the international education field.

Our conference relies heavily on the support of volunteers, and we greatly appreciate your interest in contributing to our event. Volunteer opportunities will be available closer to the conference date, and we will post them on our website as soon as they become available. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates, and we hope to have you on board as a volunteer soon! Reach out to [email protected] with your questions.