By Rachel Williams Sincore, NACAC Communications

ARLINGTON, VA (June 17, 2026) — At a time when the U.S. is facing a shrinking pool of traditional college-bound students, along with an erosion of confidence in the value of higher education, NACAC is working to reimagine its college fairs for greater impact.

This upcoming fall college fair season — which is now open for registration — NACAC will begin piloting and evaluating selected strategies informed by NACAC’s Reimagining College Fairs initiative. The recommendations fall into three broad categories:

  • Transform the Fair Ecosystem: These recommendations include a thoughtful reimagining to create a new environment for connection and joy as students explore options for their futures.
  • Remove Structural Barriers: These recommendations utilize technological and financial levers to resolve pressing pain points and ensure the fair is accessible to all.
  • Enhance Pre-Fair Readiness: These recommendations prepare students and exhibitors with the tools they need to engage fully during the fair.

Among the recommended strategies are improvements to the fair experience, enhanced student preparation resources, expanded career connections, app enhancements, and efforts to improve accessibility and affordability.

These strategies emerged from NACAC’s Reimagining College Fairs initiative, developed in partnership with Education First, which conducted research into the college fair landscape, interviewed various NACAC stakeholders, and facilitated design sprints where participants were encouraged to reimagine the role of college fairs. NACAC and Education First began this work last year.

“We know that in-person connection can be a critical component in a student’s college-search journey,” said Roneeta Guha, principal consultant at Education First. “That’s why we’re thrilled to be partners with NACAC in reimagining their college fairs to ensure they are meeting students’ and institutions’ needs in such a challenging and transformative time for higher education.”

For more than 50 years, NACAC has connected students and postsecondary institutions through its flagship college fair program. Each year, over 100,000 students from 10,000 high schools connect with nearly 1,500 colleges and universities worldwide at NACAC College Fairs. Happening since 1972, NACAC College Fairs have evolved over the years to include virtual offerings, STEM and performing arts-focused fairs, international fairs, on-site educational workshops, opportunities for students to learn more about the college experience, and more.

“Building on our long-term success of connecting students and institutions, NACAC is committed to continuously strengthening the college fair experience for future generations of students. We talked to students, counselors, admission representatives, community partners, and staff to ensure all voices were heard in order to help guide this work,” said Jason Smith, Events and Meetings director at NACAC.

This work is supported by Lumina Foundation. To participate in a NACAC college fair, see the Fall 2026 schedule and register.