The Conference Mentors are a group of NASFAA volunteers who want to help make your first NASFAA conference a positive experience. You are invited to join the Conference Mentors and other first-time conference attendees for activities and networking throughout the conference.
While you are at the conference, be sure to connect with your mentor, first-timers, and all other attendees you meet with the new conference app.
2:00 - 3:00 pm
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First-Time Conference Attendees’ Kick-Off Networking EventMeet the NASFAA National Chair, task force members, your Conference Mentor, NASFAA staff and members, and other first-time attendees. We will spend the hour getting to know one another through a variety of ice-breakers. Also we will present a "Getting the Most from your NASFAA Conference" session. If you plan to attend, bring a large stack of business cards. We will swap cards in an effort to get to know one another. This is what a participant had to say about last year’s event: "Attending the NASFAA first-time attendee session provided me with the chance to meet other financial aid professionals and a mentor with similar interests. The relationships I made there have proven to be invaluable during the conference and afterwards." |
4:00 - 5:30 pm
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Opening Session and KeynoteThis is a great time to buddy up so you do not have to sit alone. We will meet outside room 8, where the networking event took place, about 20 minutes before the session begins. |
5:30 - 7:15 pm |
Opening Reception and Exhibit HallJoin other first-time attendees and your colleagues as we kick-off the 2017 NASFAA National Conference with food, drink and networking. Look for table signs, Reserved for First-Timers. |
7:15 pm |
DinnerThis is a great time to get outside of the conference and enjoy dinner with new friends and mentors. Mentors will be heading to various area restaurants so find your favorite food group and join in. A sign-up page will be available prior to the conference. |
7:45 - 8:30 am |
Grab and Go BreakfastMeet up with your mentor and new friends in the Exhibit Hall before heading to sessions. Look for the table signs, Reserved for First-Timers. |
8:30 am - 12:00 pm |
Morning Sessions with the MentorsMeet up with mentors outside of the session rooms to sit together. |
12:15 - 1:45 pm |
Networking LuncheonIf you did not attend sessions with your mentor, this would be a great opportunity to sit and eat together. Look for the table signs, Reserved for First-Timers. Also, you may want to take advantage of the information provided in the Knowledge Corner. |
2:00 - 4:15 pm |
Afternoon Sessions with MentorsOnce again meet up with mentors outside of the session rooms to sit together. |
3:15 pm |
Fight for Financial Aid Kick-Off EventStudent aid programs are again on the chopping block in new budget proposals. Join NASFAA at our Fight for Financial Aid Kick-Off Event and learn how to raise your voice in support of our campaign developed to shine a light on potentially devastating cuts to financial aid. |
4:15 - 5:30 pm Exhibit Hall B1 |
Un-Wine’d HourRecap your day with your new friends. Look for the table signs, Reserved for First-Timers. While in the exhibit hall, don’t miss the NASFAA Off the Cuff podcast recording with Megan, Justin, Stephen and Allie. Also, this is a perfect night to have dinner together outside of the hotel or join new friends and mentors at the baseball game, if you purchased tickets. To walk over to the baseball game together, meet at 6:30pm at the Starbucks next to the Tides Restaurant. |
7:45 - 8:30 am |
Grab and Go BreakfastYou are more probably comfortable by now but eating breakfast with new friends is much more enjoyable, so find the mentors. Look for the table signs, Reserved for First-Timers. |
12:15 - 2:15 pm |
Awards Luncheon & Annual Business MeetingThere is nothing like going into a large banquet hall and trying to find a table so we have that covered for you. If you want to sit with your new friends, look for the table signs, Reserved for First-Timers. |
6:00 pm |
DinnerThis is another great dinner opportunity out of the conference setting. A sign-up page will be available prior to the conference. |
7:45 - 8:30 am |
Grab and Go BreakfastThings are winding down, so this might be a good time to say your good-byes and collect one more round of business cards before heading off to your last conference session. We hope you enjoyed your first NASFAA Conference and look forward to seeing you at future Conferences. Keep in touch with your mentor. |