NAFSA's annual conference in Houston promises to be productive, in terms of updating skills, identifying new opportunities, and re-connecting with colleagues: nafsa.org/annualconference. Highlights on our agenda:

Price Compared with Value in International Student Recruitment: Tuition transparency around the world is shifting focus from price to value in international student recruitment. Learn how to develop a clear value proposition and manage student expectations, and explore how these factors impact a continuous cycle of solid International Enrollment Management. -- Wed, 30 May, 1:15pm (nafsa.org/annualconference)

FundsV Working Group Meeting: Assembled at the request of Belgium-based SWIFT, the FundsV Working Group is developing global standards to ultimately improve the efficiency and integrity of proving financial capacity of prospective international students -- A requirement for the most popular host countries (and host campuses) around the world. -- Thurs, 31 May, 8:00am (LinkedIn.com)

Opportunities and Challenges of Working with Agents: Engaging commission-based, third-party recruitment agents has become a polarizing issue in international education, particularly in the United States. Authorities on both sides of the issue (namely NACAC and AIRC) will clarify their positions and respond to questions from the audience, so colleagues can decide for themselves which model (or hybrid) is most appropriate for their institution. -- Fri, 1 June, 10:30am (nafsa.org/annualconference)

To reserve some time to learn more about how USjournal.com and / or FundsV.com can help you reach your international recruitment goals, please contact cheryl@USjournal.com. We have a few meeting slots remaining:

• Monday morning, 28 May
• Tuesday morning, 29 May
• Wednesday morning, 30 May
• Thursday afternoon, 31 May
• Friday afternoon, 1 June

NAFSA Regions III and VII are hosting their Bi-Regional Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 14-18 October 2012: nafsa.org/pr2012. Contact us to book a slot to discuss ways we can help you: cheryl@USjournal.com

The U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service, is partnering with the U.S. Department of State EducationUSA Advising Centers to organize an Education Mission to Brazil (Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro) from 30 August to 6 September 2012. This mission will connect 60 appropriately accredited U.S. education institutions with potential students and university / institution partners in Brazil. Activities include student fairs organized by EducationUSA, embassy briefings, site visits, and networking events in each city. The cost of the mission is $3,750 (before 31 May) for one representative per institution for all three cities. Expenses for travel, visas, lodging, and meals will be the responsibility of each participant. To be considered for this mission, you must both register on the EducationUSA website and complete a USDOC mission application. For details: export.gov/industry/education or joan.kanlian@trade.gov.