Become a Volunteer
Welcome to a life-changing opportunity: be a part of the 48th NBMBAA® Annual Conference & Career Exposition by volunteering. Los Angeles, CA will be our host citysupported by NBMBAA® local LA Chapter. We are expecting thousands of attendees to join us from all over the USA and especially those from the 44 chapters of theNBMBAA® , creating a rich opportunity to network and connect with like-minded professionals. The Conference will run from Wednesday, September 23, 2026-Friday, September 25, 2026. We will need a lot of in-person volunteers to ensure the success of this year’s conference. Your assistance will be needed as early as Monday, September 21, 2026. Volunteers are involved in significant coordination of activations behind the scenes. You can also expand your network, share skills, gain experience, and contribute to this annual event’s success.
- Register as General Volunteer either as an individual or with a group of family and friends. More information click here!
- Consider having your company become a Corporate Volunteer Partner and organize a team, as corporate volunteers are highly needed on Thursdays and Fridays. Get More Information or Register as a Partner
- Become a Collegiate Volunteer Partner to expose your undergraduate and graduate students to business leaders in a high-touch business environment. Get More Information or Register as a Partner.
Why Volunteer?
Why People Love Volunteering
Tremaine Kwasikpui,
Director, Student Leadership and Involvement
Partnering with the National Black MBA Association was a natural fit for the University of Houston-Downtown. This opportunity went far beyond a traditional volunteer experience or job fair—it created a high-impact environment where our students could engage, serve, and connect with leading corporations and professionals from across the country.
At UHD, our approach is grounded in our mantra: Lead. Connect. Grow. This partnership brought that to life in a real and tangible way. Our students stepped into spaces that are not always readily accessible and were able to lead with purpose and confidence. They built meaningful connections with peers and industry professionals, and most importantly, they experienced growth across multiple dimensions—personally, professionally, culturally, socially, and financially.
We also embraced this opportunity with intention. We challenged ourselves to show up in a major way for our students, not just to participate, but to create a transformative experience. This is bigger than competition—it is about access, exposure, and changing the trajectory of our students’ lives.
I would strongly encourage other institutions to become Collegiate Volunteer Partners. If your goal is to provide students with real-world experience, meaningful networking, and direct access to top-tier organizations, this partnership delivers. And if you decide to join—feel free to say Tremaine sent you.
Nancy Bond, University of Houston Downtown
NBMBAA CONFERENCE VOLUNTEER
1.What was the career development impact of this experience?
The value I took away from the professional development workshops was the confidence and clarity to navigate the conference with intention. Each session prepared me for the conference from resume writing to navigating the career fair and finding my leadership voice which equipped me with practical tools that I could immediately apply. Instead of showing up unsure, I was prepared, polished, and able to present myself with purpose. The workshops also helped me better understand how to position my experiences, communicate my value, and engage more effectively with professionals. Most importantly, they shifted my mindset from simply attending the conference to actively leveraging it as an opportunity for growth and connection.
2.Why would you recommend others to volunteer?
Volunteering at the National Black MBA Conference had a significant impact on my career development by expanding my professional network and increasing my confidence in engaging with diverse leaders across industries. Being in that environment allowed me to observe how professionals present themselves, communicate their value, and build meaningful connections. It also reinforced the importance of being prepared. I would highly recommend others to volunteer because it provides access to spaces and conversations that you may not otherwise experience. Volunteering allows you to be in the room, contribute, and build relationships in a more natural and less pressured way. It’s not just about giving your time; it’s about gaining exposure, learning, and positioning yourself for future opportunities.
3.What was your biggest takeaway?
My biggest takeaway was realizing that growth often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone. The experience reminded me that being present, engaged, and open to learning can create opportunities you didn’t even know were possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key reasons other volunteers have highlighted:
- Access to people of influence.
- Resources both at conference and post conference that are life changing.
- A low-cost way to have the conference experience and benefits.
- They believe volunteering is an opportunity to network to increase their net worth.
The NBMBAA® Why is because volunteers are an essential human resource in the execution of the conference. They fulfill a number of functions that are important to the overall success of the conference. We appreciate the significant contributions that volunteers make, and we welcome your assistance in reaching our goals.
Online volunteer registration Opens Friday, July 17, 2026! On-site registration will begin on Monday, September 21, 2026 in the Volunteer Office.Location:Los Angeles Convention Center | 1201 South Figueroa Street |Los Angeles,California 90015 | Room #: 501-503
Please send an email to volunteer@nbmbaa.org.
THE NATIONAL BLACK MBA ASSOCIATION® 48TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION IS TAKING PLACE IN LOS ANGELES, CA. THE CONFERENCE LOCATION WILL BE THE LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER | 1201 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET | LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90015
Volunteer engagement will start as early as Monday, September 21st, and conclude on Friday, September 25th.
Yes, the minimum age is 21 years old, and you do not have to be a NBMBAA® Member, nor do you need to be a business major or hold a business degree.
Volunteers are asked to support a variety of important roles during the conference. Some areas include but are not limited to the following:
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Yes, you may select assignment(s) that interest you and fit your schedule.
Please Note: If a volunteer registered for an assignment/opportunity but fails to check-in 45 minutes in advance of the assignment, they may lose that assignment to another volunteer. Also, note that you must sign-in and out of all assignments at the start and finish to receive credit for your volunteer hours.
Volunteers can register for as many assignments as their schedule permits. Please do not register for opportunities you cannot work for the entire shift.
Note: The system will not allow you to schedule overlapping opportunities. Trying to do so will result in that assignment not showing up on your schedule.
Volunteers are allowed to register for conference events at their own expense. Being a volunteer does not give you access to events, sessions, or activities free of charge. Your access to the conference is based on the assignments you choose to volunteer to work.
A Volunteer is expected to satisfy the entire time posted for the assignment. You must plan to arrive 45 minutes before the assignment starts. You should create your volunteer schedule based on the volunteer rewards you want to qualify to receive. (click on the your volunteer type to see rewards chart) General Volunteer | Collegiate Volunteer | Corporate Volunteer
If you have decided to attend the in-person volunteer orientation, you should plan your arrival to the conference based on the orientation you want to attend.
Virtual Volunteer orientations will be done over a zoom platform.
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Each volunteer is responsible for securing their his/her own travel and hotel. Volunteers can make their hotel arrangements via the NBMBAA® website, but please note that there is no discount available by making your reservations via this website. Additionally, The NBMBAA® assumes no responsibility for volunteer hotel or travel plans and encourages volunteers to purchase travel insurance. Light snacks and drinks will be provided daily until the volunteer office closes.
Volunteers will be provided with an NBMBAA® polo shirt to be worn only during your volunteer shift. Volunteers may keep the shirt at the end of their shift(s). All volunteers should wear black or dark colored slacks or skirts and dark (comfortable) shoes. Note some opportunities require business attire only. Please come prepared to walk as there will be a significant distance between some assignments. We also encourage you to wear business attire everyday. This position you for all available opportunities.
We strongly encourage all volunteers to register for the conference, if you want to ATTEND CONFERENCE EVENTS, SESSION, AND MEAL FUNCTIONS. Please go to the registration website to see your options for registering to attend conference events, sessions, and activities. However, if you are planning to only volunteer YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE.
Based on the total number of hours volunteered and your membership status, general volunteers may qualify for one of the on-site rewards and one of the 2026 Post Conference Rewards.
Some of the on-site rewards you can choose from include 1- one-day access to the Career Expo, or 1- entry to one General Session (The sessions you may select from are chosen by the NBMBAA® .) All on-site rewards must be used before the end of conference and volunteers can earn only one on-site reward.
A Reward redeemable post conference is assessed based on your membership status and the total number of hours you worked. These post-conference rewards may include one of the following: 1- complimentary 2027 NBMBAA Premium Conference Registration & a 1-Year NBMBAA® Membership; 1-2027 NBMBAA® Career Expo Conference Registration; 1- complimentary 1-year NBMBAA® membership.
Volunteers can earn both an on-site reward redeemable at conference and a reward that is redeemable post conference. You may qualify for on-site rewards if you volunteer 12 hours or more by Thursday. The on-site rewards include:
- 1-Day Pass for the Career Fair
- Access to a Session or Workshop (designated by NBMBAA®
- NBMBAA® Live Concert (Thursday or Friday) IF EVENT IS SCHEDULED FOR THIS YEAR!
All rewards are limited and are awarded based on the first group of individual volunteers who qualify for the Reward. Once the NBMBAA® has reached a rewards category’s designated quota no more rewards will be distributed for that reward category. All rewards are non-transferable and must be redeemed prior to expiration date. Failure to redeem your reward by the indicated deadline may result in expiration of the reward. No rewards can be banked or carried over to another conference year.
Get access to the Volunteer Rewards Chart by clicking the button on the volunteer registration page.
Our Volgistics System will accurately track the date, time, and total hours you accumulate. We will notify qualifiers of Post-Conference Rewards approximately 30-days after conference registration for 2027 opens.
YES!
- Volunteers have access to a leading HR and Professional Development Team that works only with our volunteers.
- All volunteers have access to the NBMBAA® Conference jobs board portal. The link will be accessible after September 1st.
- You have access to free onsite resume review both pre-conference and onsite by the Volunteer HR Team. This does not include the Career Success Network Center at the conference.
- Onsite free one-on-one interview coaching by the Volunteer HR Team . This does not include the Career Success Network Center at the conference.
- Free professional development Info Sessions that will prepare you to maximize your time at the Career Expo and beyond. These sessions are both pre-conference and onsite!
- Please note once you cash in your rewards points, they cannot be used toward another onsite reward. YOU ARE ALLOWED ONLY ONE ONSITE REWARD.
- All rewards are limited and are awarded based on the first group of individual volunteers who qualify for the reward.
- Once the NBMBAA® has reached a rewards category’s designated quota no more rewards will be distributed for that reward category.
- All rewards are non-transferable and must be redeemed prior to expiration date. Failure to redeem your reward by the indicated deadline may result in expiration of the reward.
- NBMBAA® has the sole discretion regarding the day of entry to the Career Expo.
- PLEASE NOTE: NBMBAA® at its discretion can change the type of reward at any time without prior notification to the reward recipient.
- No rewards can be banked or carried over to another conference year.
- Volunteer Operations Team members and Local Conference Planning Committee members are not eligible to participate in the Volunteer Rewards Program.
- Self-Scheduling is the method by which you are allowed to select your own volunteer assignments/ opportunities.
- To self-schedule you will need the email used to register to volunteer and a 6-digit password you should receive at the completion of your volunteer registration form. Please email us at Volunteer@NBMBAA.org if you don’t get your password (numbers)/pin number.
- Use this link to enter the Self-Scheduling Portal: https://www.volgistics.com/vicnet/31527/login | Once in the portal, you can select, change, and view your schedule of assignments.
- Troubleshooting questions can be sent to this email: Volunteer@nbmaaa.org
- There will be a Volunteer Info Sessions scheduled to walk-through this process. Once scheduled you will receive an email with a zoom link.
- Other Info Sessions dates to prepare you for conference will also be shared, once they are scheduled via email you will receive the zoom link.
- New assignments will be added every Saturday.
Volunteer Registration
Online Volunteer Registration will open on Friday, July 17, 2026, and remain open until Friday, September 25, 2026. However, if you want the top pick of opportunities and prime volunteer times, you want to register today!
Volunteer Office Information
Volunteer Office Hours:
Pre-Conference Virtual Office Hours:
Dates and times will be shown on Volunteer Engagement Calendar
2026 Volunteer Event Calendar
Virtual Information Calendar:
2026 Volunteer Event Calendar
On-site Office Hours:
Monday, September 21st | Immediately following Volunteer Orientation | 7:30pm to 9:30pm PST
Tuesday-Thursday, September 22nd-September 24th | 8:00 am– 8:00 pm PST
Friday, September 25th| 8:00 am – 6 pm PST
Office location:
The Los Angeles Convention Center | 1201 South Figueroa Street |Los Angeles, California 90015
Room #: 501-503
Volunteer Conference Orientations
All Volunteers are required to attend ONLY one of the orientations listed below. Therefore, you should plan your arrival for in-person volunteering based on the orientation you want to attend. You have the option to attend virtually or in-person. See dates and times below. The virtual link will be sent to only those volunteers who select this option on their volunteer registration form.
Virtual: Zoom invite will be emailed or you can go to the Volunteer Event Calendar
• Wednesday, August 26th | 7:30 pm – 9 pm EST
- Wednesday, September 2nd | 7:30 pm – 9 pm EST
- Thursday, September 17th | 7:30pm – 9pm EST
In-person:
Monday, September 21st | 6:30pm-8pm PST
Tuesday, September 22nd| 11:30am-1pm PST
Location: The Los Angeles Convention Center | 1201 South Figueroa Street |Los Angeles, California 90015 | Volunteer Office | Rooms 501-503
About Rewards
All rewards must be verifiable by use of our volunteer opportunities Volgistics System. Failure to check-in and check-out of the system may result in disqualification for conference rewards.
All rewards are non-transferable and must be redeemed prior to the expiration date. Failure to redeem your reward by the indicated deadline will result in the reward’s expiration. No rewards can be banked or carried over to another conference year.
Using rewards at Conference:
- 1-day Career Expo Pass is good for Thursday, September 24, 2026 or Friday, September 25, 2026.
- MBA live Event Tickets are good for Thursday, September 24, 2026 or Friday, September 25, 2026.
This is for General Volunteers only, Post-Conference rewards will be based on your membership status and the total number of hours you volunteered.
We will notify qualifying volunteers of Post Conference Rewards approximately 30-days after Conference Registration opens for the 2027 NBMBAA® Conference.
Click to see the Volunteer Guide relevant to your volunteer type for a full description of rewards and how to earn them. General Volunteer | Collegiate Volunteer | Corporate Volunteer
2026 Onsite Rewards & Perks
- Resume Review
- Resume Posting (Will open September 2nd to Volunteers)
- One-on-One Job Interview Coaching & Professional Development Info Sessions
- Career Expo One-Day Floor Pass
- Access to select workshops or sessions,if volunteer work 8 hours in one day
2026 Post-Conference Rewards Overview
- 2027 Conference Premium Registration & 1 Year NBMBAA® Membership
- 2027 Premium Conference Registration
- 2027 Standard Conference Registration (Career Expo Only)
- 1-year NBMBAA® Membership
- Collegiate volunteer partner rewards structure varies so please refer to the 2026 Collegiate Volunteer Partner Guide.