FAQs

What are the official dates of the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference?

The 2025 NASPA Annual Conference will take place Saturday, March 15 through Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

The full conference begins with the opening session on the afternoon of Sunday, March 16. Optional Pre-conference Workshops (additional registration required) will be offered on Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16. 

The conference concludes with the closing session on the morning of Wednesday, March 19.

What is the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference schedule?

The Schedule at a Glance is available here. The full schedule with individual sessions is available only to registered attendees, and may be accessed through the NASPA Events App.

When will the conference mobile app be available?

NASPA is launching a new events app this spring, with the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference being the first event in the new app. The app will launch in early March, and all registered attendees will receive an email from NASPA with instructions for downloading the new app and navigating to the event information. The My NASPA app will no longer be used for NASPA events going forward.

How many people will be at the conference?

We expect anywhere between 5,000 and 7,000 attendees at the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference in New Orleans. 

Where in New Orleans will the conference be held?

The conference will be held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130) and the Hilton New Orleans Riverside (Two Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130). Sleeping rooms will be available in a number of hotels close to the convention center and Hilton.

Hotels and rates are available on the Plan Your Experience page.

What is the headquarter hotel?

The Hilton New Orleans Riverside (Two Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130) will be the headquarter hotel for the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference. 

What is the conference dress code?

This is a business casual conference. Please anticipate a moderate amount of walking between your hotel, the Convention Center, and the Hilton.

Will there be a virtual conference in 2025?

The 2025 NASPA Virtual Conference will be held April 8-11, 2025, following the place-based NASPA Annual Conference in New Orleans. This will be a separate event with a separate registration process. There will be no livestreaming or virtual component to the place-based conference in New Orleans. 

How can I become an exhibitor?

We have many different exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities at the NASPA Annual Conference! Exhibitor information can be found on the Sponsor & Exhibit page. You can also email Fred Comparato at [email protected].

Can I pay my membership dues and conference registration fee at the same time?

No. When you begin your registration, the system will check your membership status and prompt you to join or renew your membership prior to completing your conference registration. Once your membership has been paid, you will return to the NASPA Annual Conference website to register for the conference at the member rate.

What is a Guest Registration? Who is it for?

Guest registrations can only be purchased in addition to a full registration. All guests will be identified with a guest name badge. A guest is defined as a spouse or significant other, friend, or relative who is not a member of NASPA, is not qualified to become a member, and does not work in a student affairs-related occupation. If you would like to bring a guest, please provide their name and pay their registration fee during your online registration process. All guests must check in at the registration desk onsite.

A guest registration includes admission to the opening session, opening reception, keynote speaker sessions on Monday and Tuesday, and closing session on Wednesday. Guests may also attend open evening receptions; please note that the VPSA Reception or any "invite only" or "closed" receptions are not included. Guest registrations do not include Pre-conference Workshops or any educational sessions outside of the keynote speakers mentioned above.

Can I add other items to my registration at a later date?

Yes, you can log back into your registration and register for Pre-conference Workshops and other conference activities after you purchase your initial conference registration. You will book your hotel room through this same process.

Pre-conference Workshop registration and housing is open as of October 1. 

How do I register for a Pre-conference Workshop?

Pre-conference Workshop registration is open as of October 1. Pre-conference Workshops may be added to an existing registration, or purchased at the time of a new registration. 

To add a Pre-conference Workshop to your registration, visit the Register page and select Access an Existing Registration. You will be able to log back in, choose a Pre-conference Workshop, and complete the checkout process to update your registration. If you are registering for the first time, start by selecting Register Online on the Register page. You will be able to purchase your conference registration and Pre-conference Workshop in the same transaction.

Can I attend a Pre-conference Workshop only and not the entire NASPA Annual Conference?

You may register for the International Symposium, Community Colleges Institute, or Undergraduate Student Conference without also registering for the NASPA Annual Conference. All other Pre-conference Workshops require registration for the NASPA Annual Conference.

Are there any meals included with the conference registration fee?

Meals are not provided during the conference. Light refreshments will be available during the opening reception, exhibit hall breaks, and other limited opportunities. NASPA Constituent Groups, institutions, and sponsor groups may choose to host receptions or meetings that have additional food and beverages available, but this is not guaranteed.

When can I book my hotel?

Housing for the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference is available from October 1 - February 21. During this period, reservations may be added to an existing registration, or added at the time of a new registration. To assist with planning, hotels and rates are available on the Plan Your Experience page.

After February 21, follow the instructions in the registration flow to find and reserve a hotel room outside the NASPA room block. These rooms will be offered at con-conference rates. 

How do I book my hotel?

While housing is open, you may add a hotel reservation to your registration through the Register page.

If you registered for the conference previously and need to add a hotel, you will select Access an Existing Registration. You will be able to log back in, choose a hotel, and complete the checkout process to update your registration. If you are registering for the first time, you will select Register Online. You will be able to purchase your conference registration and make your hotel reservation in the same transaction.

Hotel reservations will be sent from the NASPA Annual Conference reservation system to individual hotels a few weeks prior to the conference. Hotel confirmation emails will be sent directly from the hotels at that time. 

What are the hotel options and costs?

Hotels and rates are available on the Plan Your Experience page.

How do I get the conference hotel rate?

You must make your hotel reservation online through the NASPA Annual Conference registration process in order to secure the conference hotel rate. The housing system for conference attendees is closed as of February 21.

Hotels appear to be sold out or unavailable. What should I do?

Many hotels in the NASPA room block are sold out for the main conference dates. If you cannot find a hotel that is available on the dates of your stay, or if you need to book your hotel after housing has closed, follow the instructions in the registration flow to find and reserve a hotel room outside the NASPA room block. These rooms will be offered at con-conference rates. 

What is the main hotel for the NASPA Annual Conference?

The Hilton New Orleans Riverside (Two Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130) will be the headquarter hotel for the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference. However, there will be many other hotel options within walking distance of the convention center.

Where can I find the schedule for the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference?

View the Schedule at a Glance here. The full schedule with individual sessions is available only to registered attendees, and may be accessed through the NASPA Events App.

How can I present a session?

The call for programs for the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference is now closed. Thank you for your submissions! 

Do you have to be a NASPA member in order to present a session?

You do not have to be a NASPA member in order to submit a proposal for the NASPA Annual Conference. However, if your proposal is accepted, the coordinating presenter must become a NASPA member.

Do I have to register for the conference if I’m presenting a session?

All presenters of accepted programs are required to register for the conference. There is no discounted presenter registration option.

Can I submit a proposal if I also want to review programs?

Yes! You can submit a proposal AND serve as a reviewer. You will not be assigned to review your own program.

How are proposals reviewed and selected?

Each program is first reviewed by 3-4 professionals in the field. Program reviewers are matched to your proposal based on your program content and their expertise. Reviewers provide feedback in the form of comments that will help you strengthen your program. 

Final decisions are made by the Conference Leadership Committee, taking into account representation of the conference focus areas, coverage of the content areas included the NASPA Annual Conference, and inclusion of material suited to different professional levels and professionals at different types of institutions.

Can I update my session after it's been accepted?

General program updates are closed as of March 3. The Onsite Program Update Form will be available through the conference dates to notify NASPA of the need to cancel your program. The "Other" option on the form may be utilized to submit requests for other types of changes. These requests will be reviewed, we do not guarantee that requests will be fulfilled this close to the conference dates.

I need to make a change to a meeting or reception, not an educational program. What is the process for meeting/reception updates?

The Onsite Program Update Form may also be used for meetings and receptions.

My program was selected for sponsorship by a NASPA Constituent Group. What does this mean?

Constituent Group Sponsored Sessions are 50-minute general interest sessions that are selected for sponsorship by a NASPA Constituent Group. For the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference, Constituent Group reviewers considered both programs submitted specifically to their group for sponsorship, as well as general submissions with a strong connection to their group's content area. 

Sponsored sessions will be highlighted in the conference schedule as part of the Constituent Group’s programming at the NASPA Annual Conference, in addition to their receptions, meetings, and other events. Presenters of sponsored sessions are free to focus on their program content and do not need to make any changes to their planned presentation. 

What does “coordinating presenter” mean?

The coordinating presenter or lead presenter is the person who submits the proposal. They are the primary contact for all communications regarding a program submission. If you are a coordinating presenter and have co-presenters, you are responsible for sharing information regarding your session, including program status, scheduled date/time, reviewer comments, and any applicable action items or deadlines.

The coordinating presenter must also be or become a NASPA member in order to serve in this role. All presenters of accepted programs must be registered for the NASPA Annual Conference.

What does “supporting presenter” mean?

The coordinating presenter may include additional colleagues as supporting presenters or co-presenters on their program. The primary difference is that the coordinating presenter is the contact for all communications regarding a program submission and is responsible for sharing information about the program with their presenter team.

If a colleague has included you as a supporting presenter on their session, please contact them for information about their program.

All presenters of accepted programs must be registered for the NASPA Annual Conference. However, supporting presenters are not required to be NASPA members.

What is the new Speaker Hub?

A new Speaker Hub has been launched for the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference, replacing the previous program submission and presenter portal. Within the Speaker Hub, presenters can view their sessions, upload materials, and add a bio and photo.

Who can access the Speaker Hub?

Anyone who is listed as a presenter for the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference can access their sessions in the Speaker Hub. This is different from the previous program submission and presenter portal, which was only available to coordinating presenters.

How do I access the Speaker Hub?

Check your email for an invitation from NASPA Events ([email protected]) with two links: one to access the Speaker Hub, and another to complete speaker onboarding. The onboarding is a required first step. After completing the onboarding, you will be able to view your sessions and complete session tasks and speaker tasks.

I am having trouble logging in to the Speaker Hub.

First, make sure you are logging in using the same email addressed used to register for the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference.

If login issues persist, please try these troubleshooting steps:

• Refresh your web browser.
• Clear your cache and cookies, or switch to a private/incognito browsing mode. 
• Ensure pop-ups and cookies are enabled in your browser settings.

Please contact [email protected] for additional assistance with Speaker Hub access.

I received multiple Speaker Hub invitation emails. What does this mean?

If you are involved with multiple sessions, you will receive an email for each session. The only difference between each email will be the specific session details, with the opportunity to create a calendar appointment for the session date and time.  

Why is the Speaker Hub asking for access to my microphone and camera?

The Speaker Hub is able to support virtual events, but the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference is not using this functionality. You do not need to grant access to your microphone and camera. Skip all audio and video prompts by pressing the “Do it later” button on step 4 and the “Complete Onboarding” button on step 5.

What is the difference between a session task and a speaker task?

Session tasks are action items related to the session, like uploading slides. Any speaker who is part of a session can complete tasks for that session.

Speaker tasks are action items related to you as an individual speaker, like adding your bio. Only you have access to your individual speaker tasks.

How do I upload slides and other materials?

Log in to the Speaker Hub and and click the Add Documents button on your session to upload slides, handouts, and any other materials. All presenters on a session (coordinating and supporting presenters) have access to upload materials in the Speaker Hub.

What is the deadline to upload slides and other materials?

In order to create an accessible conference experience for all attendees, please upload your materials no later than one day prior to your session.

Help! I need assistance with my program.

To request assistance or report an issue with the program submission process, or to request presenter assistance, please contact [email protected].

How do I submit a request for a meeting or reception in New Orleans?

Meeting and reception requests for the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference are now closed. 

When is the deadline to submit a meeting or reception request?

There are two deadlines for meeting and reception requests for the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference in New Orleans - a priority deadline and a final deadline.

Requests received by October 2 will be given priority consideration for space and scheduling. NASPA Constituent Groups must meet the priority deadline in order for their events to be scheduled at dates/times that do not conflict with their sponsored sessions or other Constituent Group programs and activities.

The final deadline to request a meeting or reception at the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference is October 30. Requests received after this deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are subject to a late fee.

When will I receive confirmation of my meeting or reception?

Meeting and reception requests received by the October 2 priority deadline will be confirmed in mid- to late October. Meeting and reception requests received by the final October 30 deadline will be confirmed in mid-November.

Confirmations will include your event date, time, and location as well as next steps for catering and AV orders.

Can I make an update to my meeting or reception?

General program updates are closed as of March 3. The Onsite Program Update Form will be available through the conference dates to notify NASPA of the need to cancel your event. 

Who do I contact if I have questions about meeting and reception requests?

Please contact us at [email protected] for assistance with meeting and reception requests.

What does a program reviewer do?

A program reviewer reads conference program proposals, provides ratings on a number of criteria, and writes feedback on the proposal content. Reviewers play a key role in shaping the conference, ensuring that programs are reflective of the most current research and best practices in the field. They also provide important feedback for the program submitter.

How do I become a program reviewer?

The reviewer sign-up process for the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference is now closed. Reviewer sign-ups for the 2026 NASPA Annual Conference will open in spring or early summer 2025.

Can I sign up to review programs if I submitted my own proposal?

Yes! You can submit a proposal AND serve as a reviewer. You will not be assigned to review your own program.

What happens if I am assigned to a program I am not comfortable reviewing?

If you have been assigned to a program you are not comfortable reviewing, use the Recuse Myself From Reviewing This Program link at the top of that submission's review page. The assignment process accounts for conflicts of interest like being assigned to your own program or that of a colleague at your institution. However, if you are assigned to the program of a mentor or a friend, or program content that you do not feel comfortable reviewing, the recusal option allows you to remove it from your assignments.

For assistance with the recusal feature or to request that we manually remove a program from your assignments, please contact us at [email protected].

Help! I need assistance with the program review process.

To request assistance or report an issue with the program review process, please contact NASPA at [email protected].