Welcome Rally
Welcome to UNI Welcome Rally
Discover Cedar Valley. Connect with Local Businesses. Start Your UNI Journey Strong.
Join hundreds of University of Northern Iowa students for the ultimate campus kickoff experience: featuring local restaurants, coffee shops, student services, giveaways, and exclusive deals from Cedar Valley businesses.
Location: Maucker Union Ballrooms, Maucker Union
Date: August 26, 2026
Time: 11am-2pm
FREE for all UNI students
About the event
UNI Welcome Rally is designed to connect incoming and returning students with the best local businesses, services, and opportunities in Cedar Falls and Waterloo.
Whether you’re looking for your new favorite:
Food & drink spots
Coffee shops
Banking services
Shopping discounts
Entertainment
Welcome Rally helps students discover the Cedar Valley while supporting local businesses.
For Businesses & Sponsors
Why Partner With the UNI Welcome Rally?
Get direct access to hundreds of students at the beginning of the semester. This is the moment when students are actively choosing where to eat, shop, and spend. Booth Information
Booths will be assigned on a first-paid, first-served basis.
Check-in and booth set-up will occur from 9 - 10:30 am on the day of the event. All booths must be set up by 10:30 am. Tear-down and load-out will be from 2:30 - 3:00 pm the same afternoon.
Carts are not provided. Please bring your own cart for loading, unloading, and transportation of materials onsite.
Display Information
Each registrant will receive one six foot table and two chairs. If you need more than six feet you will need to purchase additional spaces. Displays cannot extend beyond six feet front to back or side to side.
Displays must comply with fire code and safety restrictions. If we have concerns about your display, we will notify you immediately and work out an alternative solution.
Please let us know what freebies you are handing out so we can ensure that they follow our standards for this event.
If you choose to give out food samples, you must be licensed and insured. Additional paperwork may be required for samples that are prepared by the restaurant or business. Contact us at involvement@uni.edu if you have questions about handing out samples.
Welcome Rally is advertised as a FREE event to students. Selling foods/services/products at the booths is NOT allowed, but you may give away samples and promotional items, employment applications, invitations, or information regarding the products/services you offer to the UNI students.
Electricity is limited to a first-registered, first-served basis. Please bring your own extension cords.
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
Gold Sponsor ($500) (10 spaces)
One booth with access to electricity if needed.
Name of business, organization, or department listed and hyperlinked on the website.
Premier placement in the Ballroom near the entrance used by students.
Premier logo and link placement on all promotions, including posters on campus and in the Cedar Valley, the webpage, an email sent out to all student leaders, and signage at the event.
Digital promotions throughout Maucker Union
Social media shout-outs leading up to the event.
We’ll do the heavy lifting for you! Curb-side service for supply drop-off on the day of the event. Supplies will be placed on your table in the Ballroom for your convenience.
3 parking passes for the parking ramp.
Purple Sponsor ($300) (20 spaces)
One booth with access to electricity if needed.
Name of business, organization, or department listed and hyperlinked on the website.
Primary placement in the Ballroom near the entrance used by students.
Logo included on all promotions, including posters on campus and in the Cedar Valley community, the webpage, a mass email sent out to all students, and signage at the event.
2 parking passes for the parking ramp.
Booth Sponsor ($100) (50 spaces)
1 parking pass for the parking ramp.
Name of business, organization, or department listed and hyperlinked on the website.
In-Kind Sponsor ($50)
Your provide the following and we will display them at the event:
Coupons
Gift cards
Samples
We promote them at the event