The 2026 AAF District XI National Student Advertising Competition will be April 16-18, in Portland, Oregon. The competition will be held on Friday, April 17 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Downtown Portland. Embassy Suites will also provide lodging accommodations.
AAF District XI NSAC Timeline
January 16: National Intent to Participate forms due by 5 PM EST to AAF headquarters (DC)
January 30: Participating students must be a member of a your AAF College Chapter (dues paid)
February 15: Complete the AAF District XI Registration Form (tap link to access). Please Note: a prompt payment discount will be applied only if funds are RECEIVED by March 31. Include any special instructions or pocessing details to ensure timely receipt.
March 16: Lodging reservation deadline for Embassy Suites tap here for details
March 26: Materials due by 3pm EST to AAF Headquarters (submitted through OpenWater)
March 31:
1. AAF District XI Team Photo due
2. AAF District XI NSAC Team Rosters due to Rik Shiiki, District XI Treasurer
3. AAF District XI Registration payment receipt deadine
April 10: Cancellation Deadline for AAF District XI registration. Cancellations received on or before April 10 will be refunded minus a $25 per registrant processing fee. No refunds will be issued after this date. Please email cancellation requests to Rik Shiiki
April 16: AAF District XI NSAC begins in Portland, Oregon: Workshops/seminars, welcome reception & dinner, orientation meeting – Embassy Suites – Downtown
April 17: Competition, Awards Banquet – Embassy Suites – Downtown
April 18: Judges’ Critiques, Collegiate Council Meeting, Advisor-only Meeting
Registration
Registration is $325 per person for students and advisors. The registration fee includes Thursday dinner, Friday lunch and dinner (hotel stays include breakfast). Registration also includes incidentals such as venue rental charges, audio visual equipment rental, judges’ expenses and other miscellaneous competition expenses.
This year, due to contractual financial obligations, District XI is offering a prompt payment discount. If funds are received by March 31, a 10% discount will be applied ($292.50 per person). Invoices will reflect the full amount. If payment is not received by March 31, the full invoiced amount will be due.
NSAC School Registration Instructions
I. Complete the NSAC School Registration Form below on this page by February 15:
AAF District XI will send you (or your school) an invoice based upon the information you provide.
Registration fee is $325 per person (students and advisors). Payments received by MARCH 31 qualify for a 10% prompt payment discount.
II. Submit Team Roster by March 31
Complete the team roster spreadsheet with
• correct spelling of all team member names
• advisor name(s)
• team captain(s) name
• any dietary restrictions for all registrants
• Once completed, email to Rik Shiiki, AAF District XI Treasurer no later than March 31
Team Photo
SPECIAL REQUEST: We are asking each team to provide a jpeg photo of your entire team. The jpeg should be 5″ x 7″; at least 1500 px by 2100 px @ 300 dpi. It is IMPORTANT the orientation is portrait, not landscape. (see example below) Email to Rik Shiiki or upload to a cloud service such as google drive and share the link with Rik.
Please submit by March 31
Tentative Schedule of Events:
All events to be held at Embassy Suites – Downtown
Thursday, April 16:
I. Workshops & Seminars We are planning programming centered around preparing to get the first job of your career. Working on a possible “field trip” – Embassy Suites
II. 5:30 pm Welcome Reception / Dinner – Embassy Suites
III. 5:30 pm Ambassador Program Interviews – Embassy Suites
IV. 7:00 pm Orientation Meeting (all team members, all teams) – Embassy Suites
Friday, April 17:
I. All Day: NSAC Competition – Embassy Suites
II. Noon: Luncheon – Embassy Suites
III. Evening: Awards Banquet – Embassy Suites
Saturday, April 18:
Concurrent Meetings: Attend when the meeting doesn’t conflict with your critique.
I. Judges’ critique with each team | Embassy Suites
II. Advisor-only breakfast meeting | Embassy Suites
III. Collegiate Council Meeting | Embassy Suites
Specific times and rooms to be confirmed at a later time
Lodging at Embassy Suites
Lodging rooms and meeting rooms have been reserved at
Embassy Suites – Downtown • 319 SW Pine Street • Portland • OR 97204 • 503.279.5300
Room Rates (up to 4 adults per room)
Double Queen Suite: $149 | King Suite: $149
Complimentary overnight valet parking and breakfast with hotel stay
For reservations, download and complete Rooming List spreadsheet
Email spreadsheet to Mary Kirchner, Director of Catering & Events Embassy Suites (mary.kirchner@hilton.com) Mary will contact the sender or (designated person) to get payment information for your rooms. Rooms will be available until March 16.
NSAC School Registration Form