Conference to offer fresh insights to higher ed marcomm professionals
By Ruba Hassan | May 10, 2023
The Annual Marketing & Communications for Post Secondary Conference is returning to Toronto from May 29 to 31 for its 7th edition with a highly anticipated agenda. Following the success of last year’s hybrid format, the conference will take place both online and in person at the Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Downtown.
“People really loved last year’s event and have been reaching out since January to see this year’s agenda,” says event co-organizer Renee Summers of Summers Direct Conference & Events.
Participating higher education marketers and communicators will gather for this professional development conference to discuss marcomm practices, issues and trends in the sector and network with each other.
Marcomm leaders from Toronto Metropolitan University, Sheridan College, University of Toronto and Lakehead University will share case studies and insights about diverse topics. Summers highlights three sessions attendees can look forward to: Toronto Metropolitan University’s renaming journey; leveraging AI technology for digital engagement; and building a winning alumni engagement strategy with social media. Other timely topics experts will tackle are collaborative communications and adapting social media practices for a post-Twitter world.
By learning from others, Summers hopes attendees gain practical ideas and techniques that will help them deal with rapid developments happening in the sector. “We really try to focus on case studies, takeaways and valuable research that you can learn from,” Summers says.
Professionals from communications and web design agencies from across Canada will also share their expertise. Some of the topics they will explore are strategies for social media moderating, the principles of user-centric content design and the Gen Z journey to enrolment. The broad range of topics will provide a comprehensive overview of current trends and solutions.
“You get to see what your colleagues are doing, and you get to see where you are relative to others,” Summers says. “Sometimes, you may be surprised that you are ahead in some areas, and sometimes, you learn of new areas you need to be exploring,”
On the third day of the conference, attendees joining in person will get to participate in two three-hour workshops. The first will define a functional marcomm audit and the steps to conduct it. The second workshop will focus on adopting a balanced approach to recruitment to attract broader prospects.
“Going to a conference often takes you away from the day-to-day doings of your job and gives your mind a chance to think and generate ideas,” Summers says. “I want people to walk away feeling inspired and energized for their work.”
Higher Ed Communications principal Sharon Aschaiek will once again join the conference as chair to help facilitate the enriching presentations that will take place. If you haven’t yet, there is still time to register to attend this year’s conference in person or online.