Your warm welcome to campus and Ames!

Fall 2026 WelcomeFest

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

5:30 - 8:30 pm

Durham Great Hall, Memorial Union

A signature bi-annual event, WelcomeFest attracts thousands of students and 100+ businesses and departments. This event gives vendors the opportunity to welcome students to our community and promote their products, services, and employment opportunities. Students - Come for the free food and swag, leave with resources to help you settle into the community! Vendor registration will be run through our engagement partner, native. 

 

 

native logo in black
Students looking at resources during WelcomeFest
Students at WelcomeFest
Student smiling at WelcomeFest

Thanks to our Spotlight Sponsors

PCI Academy
Heroic Hair
Heroic Ink
City of Ames
City of Ames
City of Ames
The Vine at Collegiate Presbyterian Church
Chinese Evangelical Free Church of Ames
Native Stall 
Raising Readers
Fig Boutique
Leeds Salon 
Ames Community Theater
HOTWORX Ames
Haverkamp Properties - Booking 3
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames
Memorial Lutheran Church
The Loft Resale
Iowa State Recreation Services
Iowa State Thielen Student Health Services
Piece and Freedom
Homegrown
Perfect Games
Twisted Fuel 
Overflow Thrift Store 
Mainstream Living 
Primary Health Care 
CrossRoad Baptist Church 
Friendship Baptist Church
Octagon Centre for the Arts
Total Property Management
Cultivate Wellness
U.S. Bank
Campustown
LifeServe
No Escape Iowa
Haverkamp Properties 
Ames Public Library
Chris Jones for Secretary of Agriculture
Ames Regional Economic Alliance
Obria Medical Clinics
St. Thomas Aquinas Church and Catholic Student Center
Accellacare
Barefoot Campus Outfitter
Blue Moon Counseling
Community Choice Credit Union
Members1st Community Credit Union
Unique Apartment Homes
The Asylum Tattoo
Iowa Army National Guard
Haverkamp Properties - 2700 Lincoln Apartments
Domino's
Elite Property Management
Students enjoying freebies at a previous WelcomeFest event

Introducing our new event partner, native

Starting August 2026, we are partnering with Native, a specialized student engagement platform who will be taking over the management, booking, and logistics for WelcomeFest. There is no longer a standalone registration process for WelcomeFest. If you're an agency, business or organization looking to get involved at WelcomeFest, fill out the contact form via the link below and the Native team will be in touch!

Reach out to Native

Need more information?

Email welcomefest@iastate.edu