TIEC Hosts Inaugural Texas Booth at the NAFSA 2022 Annual Conference & Expo

by Antoine L. Battle

What happens when the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC) hosts its inaugural Texas booth at one of the world’s largest events for international education? Texas higher education receives a unified voice on the global stage, international partnership development opportunities become streamlined for TIEC members, and the State of Texas benefits from increased branding at a conference and expo attended by more than 6,000 people from over 90 countries.

For the first time, six TIEC members joined forces at TIEC’s Texas booth to collectively represent their institutions at NAFSA’s 2022 Annual Conference & Expo “Building Our Sustainable Future” from May 31-June 3 in Denver, Colorado, at the Colorado Convention Center. The six TIEC members that joined our historical initiative to unite and brand Texas higher education institutions are the following:

There was strength in numbers, and each higher education institution saved significant resources and time by having their university promoted at TIEC’s Texas booth., TIEC’s innovative approach proved to be effective at marketing Texas higher education institutions in a manner that reduces costs and maximizes efficiency. TIEC’s participating member universities were on full display with TIEC’s service offerings:

Each university logo was prominently displayed on TIEC’s retractable banners.
TIEC members’ marketing videos and slides were continuously played on a 60-inch high-definition digital display with a large, elevated floor stand, which provided maximum visibility.
University marketing materials were disseminated to booth visitors interested in connecting with TIEC members.
TIEC collected and forwarded booth visitors’ contact information and areas of interest such as university partnerships, faculty professional development, collaborative research, and virtual exchange.

NAFSA Conference and Expo attendees from around the world appreciated being able to visit one booth to connect with Texas higher education institutions. Several countries, such as France, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Colombia, and Brazil also promoted their universities at one convenient location. Texas booth visitors from foreign countries sought to connect with TIEC members to create university partnerships, and our members were able to have engaging one-to-one discussions at comfortable chairs and tables within TIEC’s Texas booth. One of the meeting spaces was reservable; the other was available on a first-come, first-serve basis; as a result, each participating TIEC member had ample time, opportunities, and open space for meeting with NAFSA attendees interested in connecting with their university.

Throughout the event, there was incredible interest in TIEC’s services and offerings. Representatives from institutions in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East were intrigued by TIEC’s affiliate membership for foreign universities, university partnerships, curriculum services, and virtual exchange. We were grateful to have our booth visited by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; the Embassy of Indonesia; Campus France, the French agency for the promotion of higher education, international student services, and international mobility; and Colombia Challenge Your Knowledge, a network of 31 Colombian universities.

Thank you to TIEC’s Board Chair and President of Texas Tech University, Dr. Lawrence Schovanec, for championing the “Texas booth” initiative. In addition, we could not have launched our inaugural Texas booth at NAFSA without the support of each senior international officer from Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Houston, and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Next year, the NAFSA 2023 Annual Conference and Expo will take place in Washington, DC. In our nation’s capital, TIEC members will have the opportunity to collectively represent Texas higher education on a grander scale and make an immense impact. Stay tuned for more information on how to participate.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Antoine L. Battle
Membership Coordinator, Texas International Education Consortium

Mr. Antoine L. Battle is a globally-minded, principled rising leader who is passionate about living a purpose-driven life. In our rapidly changing and increasingly interconnected world, he leverages his innate ability to adapt to connect across cultures, thrive in fast-paced environments, and acquire new skills quickly. His professional background includes experience in international exchange, communications, outreach, and events. He is a two-time U.S. Department of State Professional Fellows Program (PFP) participant, having served as a fellow in Morocco and Egypt.

Recently, Mr. Battle participated in Harvard University’s Future of Diplomacy Project and the United Nation’s inaugural International Day for People of African Descent in Costa Rica. He holds executive certificates in International Business and Public Policy from Georgetown University and Florida International University.

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