Rohan Pasari, CEO, Manifest Global (Parent company of Explore, Cialfo, BridgeU, Kaaiser)
Theme: Closing the Gap — Aligning Student Expectations, Enrollment Strategy, and Workforce Demand
Student enrollment decisions are increasingly shaped by workforce outcomes, yet a persistent misalignment exists across secondary school advising, university enrollment processes, and labor-market realities.
As student behaviors and expectations continue to evolve, institutions must respond with equal agility.This Summit is a carefully curated, high-impact workshop bringing together a select group of K12 and higher education leaders to examine new data on the student decision-making journey, identify systemic disconnects, and co-design practical solutions that better align education pathways with workforce demand — creating better outcomes for students, institutions, and society alike.
As a delegate, you will also receive complimentary access to the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo (valued at USD 1,499).
What to expect: A focused day of workshops and panel discussions delivering data-driven insights and concrete opportunities for cross-sector collaboration — followed by an intimate lunch with specially selected university partners and industry leaders.
What Sets This Summit Apart:
Strengthen Your School’s Global Brand and Reputation: Engage directly with world-class university leaders to elevate your institution's standing through strategic partnerships and insights that place you at the forefront of global education.
Shape Global Education Policy with Senior Leaders: Collaborate with senior university leaders, government officials, and industry influencers in a high-impact, closed-door forum where your voice contributes directly to decisions that matter at a global scale.
Engage with Senior University Leadership in an Exclusive Setting: Meet Vice Chancellors, Presidents, and VPs of Enrollment from leading universities worldwide in a carefully curated, invite-only setting — every interaction intentional, every connection meaningful.
Access a Rare, Exclusive Network of Global Education Leaders: Join a selective, invite-only community of the most influential minds in international education — building enduring partnerships that shape the future of student mobility and university collaboration.
Join us in Orlando, Florida for the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo held May 26 - 29. The theme "Global by Design" invites us to move using thoughtful planning, bold innovation, storytelling and advocacy, and sustained action. Explore how to design the future of our field with purpose, creativity, and imagination. Together, we’ll examine how forward-thinking strategies, cutting-edge approaches, and creative partnerships can amplify our impact and expand meaningful global experiences. This way, we can build a global education landscape that is not only responsive, but visionary — in other words, Global by Design.
What Awaits You at NAFSA 2026
You'll connect with a global community of people who share an interest in bridging cultures and creating opportunities for students and educators worldwide. You'll meet peers who inspire you, mentors who guide you, and collaborators who may spark your next big idea.
→ Networking - Develop personal connections that will last throughout your career and ultimately benefit your students and institutions.
→ Professional Development and Learning - Timely insights, guidance, and expertise form a packed educational program with 200+ sessions and programs and over 15 curated session tracks invaluable to success, growth, and support.
→ Perspectives - Engage with colleagues from around the world, understand commonalities, and share different approaches.
→ Partnerships - Meet with partners to discuss programs and services and forge new relationships to enhance value at your institution.
Recommended arrival: On or before 24th May 2026
The NAFSA x Explore K-12 and Higher Ed Summit 2026 begins at 10:00am on 25th May. We recommend arriving in Orlando no later than 24th May to ensure a relaxed start.
The nearest airport is Orlando International Airport (MCO), located at 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827. For those unable to secure a direct flight, Brightline high-speed rail offers a convenient and eco-friendly connection from several major Florida airports directly into Orlando.
Recommended departure: 29th May 2026
Your NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo ticket is fully sponsored (valued at USD 1,499), covering the full conference from 26th–29th May. We encourage you to attend for the full experience. If prior commitments prevent this, please let us know in advance.
We have pre-arranged a room at the Hyatt Regency Orlando on your behalf, from 24th–30th May 2026. Please confirm whether the booking suits your needs via Invitation Confirmation Form.
The full Cialfo+Explore team will also be staying at the Hyatt, so you'll be in good company throughout the week. Should you prefer alternative accommodation, NAFSA-negotiated rates are available at several nearby hotels via the link provided. NAFSA Designated Hotel Booking Link
If you require a visa to enter the United States, our team will coordinate a formal visa support letter on your behalf.
Please indicate your visa requirements in the Invitation Confirmation Form, or contact Khushbu directly at khushbu.thakur@cialfo.com.sg no later than 15th March 2026 to allow sufficient processing time.
Airport transfers will be arranged for delegates. Please forward your confirmed flight details to khushbu.thakur@cialfo.com.sg so we can coordinate your pickup.
A designated Summit host will be on hand to welcome you on arrival and ensure a smooth journey to the hotel.
The NAFSA x Explore K-12 and Higher Ed Summit 2026 and the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo will both be held at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), West Concourse, 9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819.
Registration opens at 9:30am, with the main programme running from 10:00am to 1:00pm, followed by an intimate lunch with K12 delegates and specially selected university and industry partners.
(Itinerary is tentative; further adjustments may be made as the event approaches.)
The NAFSA Annual Conference brings together thousands of international education professionals from across the globe. As a sponsored delegate, you will have full access to 200+ sessions, workshops, keynote speakers, and the exhibition floor throughout the four-day programme. Pavilion session specially catered for forging ties and partnerships between K12 and University leaders.
Useful links:
→ Schedule - https://www.nafsa.org/2026/schedule-glance
→ NAFSA Program: https://www.nafsa.org/2026/program
→ Workshops: https://www.nafsa.org/2026/workshops
→ Keynote Speaker List: https://www.nafsa.org/2026/Featured-Speakers
The Cialfo+Explore team will personally curate a series of one-to-one meetings with university leaders and partners tailored to your institution's profile and priorities. These sessions are designed to make your week at NAFSA as productive and meaningful as possible.
Throughout the week, the Cialfo+Explore team will send you curated photos, key discussion highlights, and speaker sound-bites from the Summit — ready to share on your personal or institutional social media channels. We encourage you to share your experience and reflections with your network on LinkedIn and beyond.
Following the Summit, the Cialfo+Explore team will share a consolidated summary of key discussions, data insights, and collaborative outcomes.
These takeaways are designed to support your decision-making as you look to enhance student experiences and position your school for the future. We also warmly invite you to share your own reflections, photos, and discoveries with the wider group.
The connections made at this Summit are just the beginning. We are committed to building a lasting community of K12 leaders dedicated to sharing best practices, piloting new approaches, and turning the ideas generated at NAFSA into real, lasting impact. We look forward to staying in touch and growing this community together.
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