By Kelley Hungerford, assistant director of expo & corporate relations at NIRSA
Get inspired at the NIRSA Campus Rec & Wellness Expo, a can’t-miss event at NIRSA 2024. The immersive experience features more than 115 exhibitors showcasing innovative solutions for campus recreation.
It’s the best place for NIRSA 2024 attendees seeking inspiration for their facilities, programs, and operations. Plus, the Campus Rec & Wellness Expo provides numerous opportunities for networking and play.
Experience the energy of the expo at the April 18 Grand Opening
All are welcome to the Expo Grand Opening on April 18 at 3:30pm in the Phoenix Convention Center North Halls 5 and 6. Open until 6:30pm, the evening offers free food, fun swag, and numerous activities to keep you engaged between conversations with exhibitors. Play on the latest equipment and build relationships with exhibitors to leverage an outstanding vendor network.
Keep an eye out for exhibitors participating in the Expo Scavenger Hunt. These companies will give you a secret code to enter in the app’s gamification feature. The more codes you collect, the more points you accumulate to exchange for prizes.
There’s never a dull moment in the Expo Hall. Check out just some of the exciting activities on opening night:
- Many attendees make the NIRSA Booth their first stop of the night. You’ll literally and metaphorically stay cool with two groovy giveaway options: Pick either a tie-dyed bucket hat or rechargeable, electric hand fan.
- Discover trending workouts and enjoy nourishing movement in the Fitness Forum, presented by Ecore. Opening night offers three classes for attendees to shake off a long day of sitting in sessions.
- The Expo Committee invites attendees to the NIRSA Country Club for its annual fundraising activity—formerly the Hoop Shoot—and it’s going to be a par-tee. Thanks to in-kind sponsors BSN SPORTS and Foresight Sports, attendees can compete in a putting contest on a few greens and in a closest-to-the-pin contest through a golf simulator. Contests run all of April 18 through 1pm on April 19, then the Country Club will be available for open play.
- Putt wait—there’s more: The NIRSA Country Club kicks off with the Special Olympics Unified Experience from 3:30pm-4:30pm. It’s just $1 to enter, and the contest gets extra competitive with incredible prizes for the top contestants.
- The Mini-Session Stage offers short sessions for attendees to learn about esports, employee management software, and other hot topics. Search “Expo” here for a list of sessions—and all activities in the expo.
- Pew pew pew: Gather your friends…and enemies for a round of laser tag, sponsored by Battle Company. Open during all expo hours.
- Play a round of Rocket League, explore a sample gaming station, and chat with experts in the returning Esports Pavilion sponsored by Spectrum Industries and Esport Supply. This can’t-miss hub for resources about esports programming, facilities, and equipment is open during all expo hours.
- Join sponsor Global Archery for archery tag, a unique sport combining elements of dodgeball with the skills of archery. Open during all expo hours.
- If you’re a picklin’ machine, grab your paddle because we’re not dinkin’ around: Join the Host Committee for NIRSA’s first-ever pickleball clinic, sponsored by GAMMA Sports. Preregistration is required for the clinic, which runs from 4:30pm-6:00pm, but spectators are welcome.
- A hit at its debut in Pittsburgh last year, we’re excited to bring back the Sticker Exchange, sponsored by Promentum Group. Bring excess stickers from your various campus rec events and programs to this event, which runs from 5:30pm-6:30pm.
Find more information on NIRSA's website.
A can’t-miss event for can’t-miss campus destinations
The 2024 Campus Rec & Wellness Expo truly has something for everyone. This is your chance to immerse yourself in solutions to build, equip, operate, and renovate facilities to be innovative, sustainable, can’t-miss campus destinations. We hope to see you there!
For more information about Expo Hall happenings, contact Assistant Director of Expo & Corporate Relations Kelley Hungerford or a member of our incredible NIRSA 2024 Campus Rec & Wellness Expo Committee. This event would not be possible without the hard work, support, and positive energy of these volunteer leaders.
