networking & socials
Canadian Member Welcome Social
Saturday, April 18 | 7:30pm-9:00pm
This is a great opportunity to network with your peers and establish connections for the rest of conference. Join us for snacks and great conversations!
All individuals from Canadian schools are encouraged to attend this social. Kick-off your conference experience by connecting with colleagues from other NIRSA member institutions in Canada who face similar challenges and opportunities on their own campuses.
Small Program & Friends Social
Saturday, April 18 | 7:30-9:00pm
All individuals from small schools and community colleges are encouraged to attend this social. Connect with you colleagues from other small and community colleges who face similar challenges and opportunities on their own campuses. This is a great chance to network with you peers and establish connections for the rest of the conference. Join us for snacks and great conversation!
Take a Student to Lunch
Sunday, April 19 | 11:30am-1:30pm
Students and professional members alike, don’t miss out on this Annual Conference favorite! The Take a Student to Lunch program is an excellent opportunity for you to interact with the great minds in our Association and share your passion for collegiate recreation. All conference attendees are encouraged to participate in this great networking opportunity!
Directly following the Student Member Connection meeting, members of the Student Leadership Team and the Member Network will assist in matching students with professionals who will treat them to lunch. Both students and professionals are encouraged to indicate their intention for involvement when they register for Conference.
Lee Wasson People of Color Social
Sunday, April 19 | 6:30pm–8:30pm
Take this opportunity to celebrate the meaningful accomplishments of NIRSA members with respect to the Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference, HBCU Summit, Founders Scholarship, and the Juliette Moore Distinguished Leadership Award.
Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be served; all NIRSA 2020 attendees and exhibitors are welcome to attend.
LGBTQ & Allies Social
Sponsored by PLAE
Monday, April 20 | 6:30pm–8:30pm
An annual favorite, the LGBTQ & Allies Social fosters and encourages the involvement of LGBTQ individuals and allies in the Association. We’ll also recognize the recipients of the Fredrick R. Braden Scholarship for Social Justice. Join us as we support inclusion and diversity in NIRSA.
All Conference Social
Sponsored by PLAE
Monday, April 20 | 8:30pm–12:00am
Join your NIRSA friends for the All Conference Social at The Duce. NIRSA attendees will be hosted in the 1928 warehouse that once anchored a bustling produce district by day while transforming into the notorious “duce” by night, offering dice, vice, jazz and other not so good clean fun! This indoor/outdoor venue is stocked with games like corn hole, foosball, ping pong among others. But you you’ll have to make time for games while also dancing to the beats of the Thaddeus Rose Band .
An appetizer buffet and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided, and cash bars featuring signature duce cocktails will be accessible throughout the venue. Be sure to snap a memory in the VW photo bus!
Less than one mile from the conference host hotels, the venue is walkable in the pleasant spring evening of Arizona. NIRSA will provide several motor coaches for transportation between the Convention Center and The Duce if you prefer to ride. There are also many pedicabs around the area if you’re looking for a unique way to get home!
Independent Socials
Independent socials are an important part of the NIRSA Annual Conference and Campus Rec & Wellness Expo experience.
These exciting socials provide attendees with great opportunities to network in smaller groups. NIRSA regions, states, vendors, and individual institutions have all hosted exciting independent socials at past NIRSA Annual Conferences. We invite you to consider hosting an independent social at NIRSA 2020 where the downtown Phoenix area provides abundant options!
To inquire about available space and options within the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix or the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, reach out to NIRSA Meetings & Events Director, Sierra Smith. Sierra can connect you with the right person to help you put on a great event whatever the size!
Any Questions?
Please forward additional questions to NIRSA Director of Meetings & Events Sierra Smith.