Looking to recruit top students interested in communication studies?

You’ll Find Them Here

The Journalism Education Association and National Scholastic Press Association co-sponsor two national high school journalism conventions a year. A dynamic component of the convention Exhibit Hall is the College Fair featuring college and university exhibitors from across the country. Share the unique aspects of your institution and its programs with our students during the next JEA/NSPA College Fair. 

It’s an exceptional opportunity for you to meet one-on-one with college-bound students with a passion for:

• Communications
• Film & Broadcast
• Journalism
• Photography
• Digital Media & Storytelling
• Advertising & Public Relations
• Media Studies

Foster personal connections with high-achieving students whether they are starting their higher-education exploration or nearing the application process. You can expect between 3,000-4,500 students to attend each of the conventions.

Exhibit Your Quality

To become a part of upcoming JEA/NSPA College Fair, please visit:

2026 JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention
April 16–18, 2026 | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sponsor & Exhibitor Info

2026 JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention
Nov. 19–2026, 2026 | Orlando, Florida
Sponsor & Exhibitor Info (coming early July 2026)

2027 JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention
April 15–17, 2027 | Los Angeles, California
Sponsor & Exhibitor Info (coming early October 2026)

Colleges and universities have long been a part of the JEA/NSPA conventions. To heighten the visibility of our academic partners, the Exhibit Hall was rebranded the Trade Show & College Fair in 2025. 

We are committed to providing an incredible experience not only for student attendees, but for our college and university sponsors and exhibitors. 

You can expect the following support:

Preconvention Promotion

Convention Website
Colleges and universities electing to be a sponsor are featured on the convention website home page with their logo and link to their website.

College Fair eBlast
To prepare students for the College Fair experience, an eBlast is sent to all advisers and student attendees in advance of the convention.

• The 50+ Questions to Ask at a College Fair document is included and encourages students to discuss with their parents or guardians.
• All college and university exhibitor’s logos, along with links, are featured.
• The oppportunity to win a College Fair Swag Bag by engaging with College Fair exhibitors is detailed.
• See an example of the College Fair eBlast.

On-site Promotion

• Banners with all College Fair exhibitor logos and booth numbers are are placed in high-traffic areas.
• All College Fair exhibitors, along with their booth numbers, are listed in the Convention Program available to all attendees.

Student Engagement

• Students are encouraged to download the 50+ Questions to Ask at a College Fair document and use it to meaningfully engage with College Fair exhibitors.
• By engaging with a select number of College Fair exhibitors, student can complete a College Fair Card and enter to win a College Swag Bag. Swag bags are donated by College Fair exhibitors and announced during the Awards Ceremony.

Lead Collection

New for spring 2026, we have partnered with StriveScan to make exchanging information with students quick and easy. No more paper interest cards for students to complete, or hand-written information for you to entered into your recruitment CRM.

• StriveScan is a leader in student scanning for college fairs. More than 95% of current JEA/NSPA exhibitor institutions already use StriveScan.
• No cost to students to use StriveScan. They simply complete a two-minute online form which generates their unique QR code.
• Scan the student’s QR code with your phone and their information will upload to your StriveScan account. 
• College Fair exhibitors can use an existing institution account or create their own account. The cost is less than $26 a day to utilize the StriveScan platform.
• There is no requirement to utilize StriveScan during the College Fair.
• If you are not familar with StriveScan, or have questions about accessing your institution’s account, contact StriveScan at help@strivescan.com.