We Appreciate Your Support

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange set for October 25-28, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

We would love for you to join us as a volunteer for this premier event!

• Connect with fellow members and peers
• Engage with industry leaders and influential changemakers
• Play a meaningful role in making this event a success

We are currently seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist with many different aspects of the Conference. 

Please note: While we deeply value your support, volunteers will be responsible for covering their own travel and lodging expenses. Please contact us if you have any questions about volunteering.

Volunteer Information

Volunteer Locations

Convention Center
Sunday, October 25 - Wednesday, October 28

The volunteer center, conference registration, sessions, matchmaking, and most conference activities will be held in the Convention Center.

Los Angeles Convention Center - South Hall
11201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015


Welcome Reception
Sunday, October 25

The Welcome Reception will kick off the conference as our first reception. Volunteers will greet guests, scan badges, and provide attendees with assistance. Volunteers should be comfortable with speaking, standing, and walking for long periods, providing directional assistance

Location To Be Announced...

• Awards Brunch
  Wednesday, October 28
  
  We will honor the good work of both our national members and minority businesses. Volunteers will greet guests, scan badges, and provide attendees with assistance. Volunteers should be comfortable with speaking, standing, and walking for long periods, providing directional assistance.

Locations To Be Announced...

• Conference Hotels
  Sunday, October 25 - Wednesday, October 28
  
  Each hotel will need volunteers to assist with smaller meetings, shuttle services, and attendee assistance. 

Transportation

What to Wear

• Self-paid parking is available at the convention center and surrounding area for volunteers during their designated shifts.
• If you take a taxi or rideshare to any volunteer activity, please note that you will not be reimbursed by NMSDC.

Volunteers will receive a shirt at check-in to wear during their shifts. A few suggestions:

• Wear comfortable, close-toed shoes.
• Wear black pants or slacks (no jeans, leggings or jeggings).
• Refrain from wearing any clothing that covers our sponsor logos on the t-shirt.
• Volunteers registered for the Wednesday night awards ceremony should wear formal attire (e.g., solid black dress slacks or skirt and white dress shirt or blouse).

Volunteer Check-In Instructions

Volunteers will check in at the Volunteer Center at the LA Convention Center. (Details will be sent out.)

Plan to arrive 15 - 30 minutes before your scheduled shift. With a few hundred volunteers involved in the Conference production, there will inevitably be some mix-ups and unavoidable delays. This will allow enough time for parking, volunteer check-in, and to change into your volunteer t-shirt.

Please bring only necessary items with you (no valuables). NMSDC is not responsible for items left at the Volunteer Center. 

Please note that security procedures may require a search of parcels/bags you choose to leave in the Volunteer Center.

Volunteer Positions

Office Support

• Volunteers with good people and reception skills.
• Answer telephones, type, run errands and make copies.
• Assist with IT issues and registration software.
• Assist with building requests and deliveries.
• Check-in speakers and assist with the daily management of the office.

Scanner

• Scan tickets and assist with seating.
• Direct conferees to seats in the front of the room, and ensure that all entering have the appropriate conference badges.
• Volunteers should be comfortable with speaking, standing and walking for long periods and providing directional assistance.

Transportation Information & Support

• Greet guests and provide general information.
• Remind them to bring their registration badges before boarding buses to NMSDC receptions.

Photo Catalog Assistant

• Catalog names of speakers, business owners, corporate members and other individuals of which the photographer
  has taken pictures.

Reception Support

• Greet guests and provide general information. 
• Volunteers should be comfortable with speaking, standing and walking for long periods providing directional assistance.

IT/Help Desk Support

• Assist with IT issues and registration software. Must be able to lift and/or carry 50 lbs.

Exhibit Hall Assistant

• Assist in managing exhibitors, vendors and the loading dock.
• MBEs are prohibited from volunteering for this shift.

Resource Center

• These volunteers will be responsible for providing general conference information, answering attendees’ questions and troubleshooting in the registration area (if necessary).
• The space will also serve as the Lost and Found for all attendees.
• Information about NMSDC will be freely distributed.

Floor Monitor

• Volunteers will be required to interact with attendees and possibly assist with registration questions.
• Volunteers should be comfortable with speaking, standing and walking for long periods providing directional assistance.

General Conference Support

• Volunteers should be comfortable lifting 50 pounds. 
• Assist conference planning teams setup and breakdown activations and experiences. 
  
  

Service Standards

Volunteer Schedule

Everyone appreciates good customer service. As a volunteer, we ask that you do your best to:

• Treat the attendees and sponsors as special guests at our event.
• Upon arrival at the venues, please note the locations of the restrooms and emergency exits.
• Preserve the safety of our guests and volunteer corps.
• Accomplish tasks efficiently.
• Remember you are a representative of the event. Everything you do makes a lasting impression
• And, HAVE FUN!

To be announced soon!

Conference Mobile App

The mobile app for the 2025 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange is the best tool for our volunteers to check for changes to the conference schedule, access the Georgia World Congress Center maps, and obtain information on sessions and speakers.

This app will go live by the week of October 1st. You will be able to download it for free on your iPhone or Android.

We will send an email to all volunteers with details when the app goes live.

Volunteer Policies

General

Code of Conduct

NMSDC requests all volunteers adhere to the following guidelines:

• Attend an onsite general volunteer training program, hosted on Friday.
• Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age or older.
• Volunteers supporting the receptions and awards ceremony must be 21 or older.
• Please do not ask for free beverages or food from concession booths. There is complimentary water and snacks available at the Volunteer Center. Water coolers are also located throughout the Convention Center.
• Volunteers working 4 hours and/or multiple shifts within a day will be provided a meal and/or meal vouchers.
• Cooperate fully with other volunteers, committee chairpersons, board members and staff.
• Direct any media questions to the NMSDC MarCom Office (locations will be provided). Do not make any statements to the media that may be interpreted as coming from an “NMSDC Spokesperson.”

We are committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. NMSDC has a zero tolerance policy for harassment of any kind.

We provide an open-minded and safe environment where all attendees can enjoy an event in an atmosphere of fun, respect and tolerance, without enabling destructive behaviors and attitudes.

Every participant, including speakers, volunteers, staff, sponsors and Conference attendees, are entitled to be free from discrimination and harassment at the conference, on the basis of age, sex, orientation, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, marital status, criminal record, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, class or political belief.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, staff members or security may take actions they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event.

We take all reports seriously. If you have been intimidated, harassed or made to feel uncomfortable at our event, please inform event staff and/or security immediately. You may also contact us at eventvolunteer@nmsdc.org, or in person at the Volunteer Center for assistance.

In Case of Emergency

If you are in a position to respond to an incident, please:

• Report unsafe conditions, situations or guests to a Shift Supervisor or NMSDC staff member.
• Please remain at the scene until the Atlanta Police Department has completed a formal accident report.

If you see a suspicious package or unusual item of any kind:

• Immediately inform the nearest police officer with a clear description of what the item looks like and where it is located.
• Do NOT use a two-way radio.
• Refer to the item as a “suspicious package,” never refer to an item or package as a "bomb."

In case of possible serious injury or illness:

• Call 911.
• Do NOT attempt to move anyone who may be injured. Stay with the individual until help has arrived.

If a crowd has gathered around an accident or injury scene:

• Please cooperate with police and other volunteers to provide the victim adequate space.

For minor injuries:

• Please go to the First Aid office located near the Exhibit Hall

Lost and found items:

• Please take any items to the Volunteer Center.

Questions?

We're Here to Help!

On-site volunteer coordinators will be available to answer questions. During the event, you may email them at: eventvolunteer@nmsdc.org.