EVENT OVERVIEW

3-day event
HBCU CONNECT is celebrating over 26 years of impactful contributions to diversity recruitment. As the largest network of students, alumni, and supporters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), HBCU CONNECT proudly boasts a membership of over 1.5 million individuals. 		EVENT LOCATION:
Washington, DC
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, 201 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

EVENT DATES:
June 26th - 28th

TARGET AUDIENCE:
Over 3,500 alumni, students, and supporters located within a 500-mile radius of the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) metropolitan area.



EVENT OVERVIEW

3-day event
HBCU CONNECT is celebrating over 26 years of impactful contributions to diversity recruitment. As the largest network of students, alumni, and supporters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), HBCU CONNECT proudly boasts a membership of over 1.5 million individuals.

EVENT LOCATION:
Washington, DC – Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, 201 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

EVENT DATES:
June 26th - 28th

TARGET AUDIENCE:
Over 3,500 alumni, students, and supporters located within a 500-mile radius of the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) metropolitan area.


REVIEWS THAT SPEAK VOLUMES

Check Out What Our 2024 Sponsors Had to Say!





REVIEWS THAT SPEAK VOLUMES
Check out what our 2024 attendees had to say






ABOUT THE EVENT

Why Exhibit at Our Event?

Position your company at the forefront of innovation, opportunity, and impact by becoming an exhibitor at our premier event.

Unmatched Brand Visibility

Showcase your brand to a national audience through a variety of high-impact sponsorship levels. Whether you're looking to increase awareness, launch new initiatives, or reinforce your presence, our event delivers the exposure you need.

Engage with a Diverse and Influential Audience

  • Rising professionals and experienced talent
  • Top-tier students from leading institutions
  • Celebrities and media figures who amplify your message

Dynamic Networking & Recruiting Opportunities

Take part in curated activities designed to maximize engagement — from panel discussions and breakout sessions to interactive exhibits and one-on-one networking opportunities.









ABOUT THE EVENT

All-Day Career Fair & Talent Engagement Experience
All-Day Career Fair & Talent Engagement Experience
🌟 Friday All-Day Career Fair & Talent Engagement Experience
📍 Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
🗓 Friday, June 27th | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Get ready for a full day of dynamic engagement with a well-rounded spectrum of Black and Latinx talent at the 2025 HBCU CONNECT Conference and Career Fair. From ambitious college students and recent grads to experienced professionals and senior executives, this is your opportunity to make meaningful connections across the entire talent pipeline.

Our signature event is our all day career fair, designed to provide employers with maximum exposure to diverse, highly qualified candidates seeking opportunities in a wide range of industries, functions, and career levels.

Whether you’re hiring for internships, entry-level roles, or senior leadership positions, you’ll find outstanding candidates ready to bring their skills, experience, and fresh perspectives to your organization.

Participating employers will have the opportunity to:
  • Meet and recruit from a pipeline of talent that spans undergraduates, graduate students, alumni, and mid-to-senior level professionals
  • Host on-the-spot interviews and share information about open roles and career paths at your organization
  • Build brand awareness and affinity with the HBCU community through direct, face-to-face engagement
  • Connect with job seekers eager to learn more about your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
The Friday Career Fair is the heart of our annual event — high-energy, high-impact, and packed with potential. Don’t miss your chance to recruit exceptional talent that can shape the future of your workforce.

Reserve your booth today and make your next best hire.



ABOUT THE EVENT

VIP Professional Networking Kickoff Reception
🌟 Thursday Evening VIP Networking & Event Kickoff Reception
📍 Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
🗓 Thursday, June 26th | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Join us for an exclusive evening of high-level networking as we kick off the 2025 HBCU CONNECT Conference and Career Fair. Our VIP Networking & Event Kickoff Reception offers employers a unique opportunity to connect with a curated group of seasoned, high-performing diverse professionals in an intimate, executive-style setting.

This premier event is designed for organizations looking to build relationships with top-tier Black and Latinx talent — including professionals at the executive, director, and management levels — ahead of the main conference.

Attending employers will have the opportunity to:
  • Engage directly with experienced, in-demand diverse talent seeking new leadership and advancement opportunities
  • Network with fellow exhibitors, including HR professionals, recruiters, and diversity & inclusion practitioners
  • Connect with HBCU faculty and staff members, expanding your talent and academic partnerships
Enjoy a glass of wine, upscale hors d'oeuvres, a relaxed yet professional atmosphere, and the opportunity to establish meaningful connections before the main event begins.

This is your chance to get ahead of the competition in recruiting top talent.

Space is limited — secure your spot today.



ABOUT THE EVENT

Lunch and Learn Session with Celeste Warren
Celeste Warren is a visionary leader who had an impressive 28-year tenure at Merck, where she rose to the esteemed position of Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. During her decade-long leadership of the Global Diversity and Inclusion Center of Excellence, Celeste implemented groundbreaking initiatives that fostered a culture of inclusivity and equity, setting new standards in the industry.

After her retirement, Celeste founded Celeste Warren Consulting, LLC, where she passionately continues her mission to reshape the landscape of diversity and inclusion. Her consulting services empower organizations to create fair and equitable opportunities for all, driving meaningful change and enhancing workplace culture.

View full bio

Lunch and Learn Session - Navigating Your Diversity Recruitment Strategy and Positioning in The Current Environment

Discover the powerful strategies and legal frameworks that support effective diversity recruitment. Explore compelling success stories and actionable insights that will empower you to maintain and enhance your DEI initiatives, especially in response to recent political and legal challenges.

📍 Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center - Eastern Shore 2
🗓 Friday, June 27th | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM


EMPLOYERS & EXHIBITORS

Sponsorship Packages
Sponsorship Packages

Platinum
 Gold
 Silver
 Bronze
 NonProfit
Booth Footprint at Professional Networking Reception 20’ x 20' 10’ x 20’ 10’ x 10’ 10’ x 10’ 10’ x 10’
Space for Recruitment Materials
Company Logo on Conference/Event Landing Page
Full Conference Registration Package 8 6 4 2 3
Career Fair ONLY Registrations 6 4 2 1 1
1-Minute Video Rotation during Networking Reception
Talent Sourcing & Reporting for up to Three Candidate Profiles Request Pricing Request Pricing -
Electronic Resume Delivery After Event
Private Interview Space Request Pricing Request Pricing Request Pricing -
Prominent Position in Conference Marketing & On-Site Signage
Exclusive Email and Social Media Communication Request Pricing Request Pricing Request Pricing
Company Logo on Promotional Materials
Lead a Professional Development Session Request Pricing -
Keynote Speaking Opportunity Request Pricing Request Pricing Request Pricing -
Discount on 2026 HBCU CONNECT Conference 15% 10% 5% - -
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Request Exhibitor Details
Interested in signing up as a Sponsor/Exhibitor at our event? Please fill out the form below and we follow up within 24 hours!
First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
Phone:
Company Name:
Company Website:
Sponsorship Level of Interest:


ABOUT THE EVENT

Preparing to Attend
Preparing to Attend

What we need to get your registered: We simply need to know which sponsorship level you would like to secure, and we will draft up an invoice (payable within 30 days) to secure your participation.
Subsequently we would request a logo to use to list you as a participating sponsor, a paragraph listing information about your company (we will send over a form to complete) as well as any links to your career opportunities to share with participants as they sign up.

What to Provide Once Registered
  1. Company Logo you would like for us to use on our website and marketing materials.
  2. List of participating recruiters (First Name, Last Name, Email)
  3. Power Point Slides you would like shown during the event on projector screens (Up to 3)
  4. List of types of candidates you typically hire. A list of job links is fine as well if that is easier.
What to Bring to The Event
We will provide you with table space at our career fair where you can share the following:
  1. Recruitment Brochures / Handouts with information about your company and opportunities available.
  2. Recruitment materials that may include information about your stance on diversity.
  3. Small snacks to attract folks to your table area (mints, gum, candies).
  4. Branded items such as pens, pencils, note pads, folders, water bottles, and miniature hand sanitizer are always welcomed options.


For full instructions on participating in our event, please download the Sponsor Information Packet.



ABOUT THE EVENT

Official Event Hotel
Official Event Hotel
Χ

We're excited to bring our Conference to the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia Tri-State)! Use the resources below to book your hotel and travel, and explore why the DMV is known as the Black Mecca, with diverse food scene, sports teams, energy industry, museums and cultural institutions, and African American Culture. Book your room right away before we sell out!

Official Conference hotel
The Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center
201 Waterfront St
Oxon Hill, MD 20745



ABOUT THE EVENT
ABOUT THE EVENT

Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions

What is The ROI from This Event

  1. Interviews and Hires! At our typical recruitment reception for one of our clients with the toughest profile (IT/Software candidates) they were able to hire 12 candidates within 30 days of just one of our events. Most of our clients also are repeat customers and we have a waiting list for our services to host events such as this, which actually drove us to present this "networking and recruitment reception" format for multiple employers in one venue. We will deliver candidate resumes before and after the event, and we will also market your company and specific opportunities to candidates prior to the event to maximize the ROI for your participation.
  2. Branding! Our advertising campaign, and actual weekend events will draw over 100,000 media impressions from professional African Americans in the mid-west considering our event and our partner's career opportunities.
  3. Pipeline Creation! We collect resumes from all interested attendees for every event and deliver a pipeline of hundreds of candidates that can be categorized by data points such as location, college, major, experience, industry, educational level, open to relocation, and more!

What Content do We Provide for The Event?

We will share your Video or Powerpoint slide content during our Career Fair.
Here is content you can share in your video or powerpoint slides:

  • Introduce your company and the types of roles you typically hire for.
  • Locations where you have openings, and maybe selling points for those locations.
  • A pitch for working for your company. Why would someone love working for your company?
  • Your statement regarding diversity and its importance to your company.

Do you have pictures from past events?

Feel free to review pictures from our past event on our Flickr Page.
Feel free to review video from our past event on our YouTube Channel.