Real talk? You aren't coming to the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference in Denver just to sit quietly in the back of a session room and nod thoughtfully. You come to connect, discover, and maybe accidentally overhaul your entire strategy before lunch, amiright?
So if you're wondering where to start—or what not to miss—here are five must-do experiences that make the in-person conference more than just a packed calendar (and far more fun).
1. Book a Braindate and Skip the Awkward Networking
Introverts rejoice! Braindates are networking's cooler, more focused cousin—one-on-one or small-group conversations built around actual topics you care about.
Want to swap strategies on AI, vent about budget constraints, or compare notes on what's actually working? You can literally schedule that conversation. It's efficient, insightful, and—miraculously—free of forced small talk.
Pro tip: Post a topic early. The best conversations get booked fast!
Braindate platform available in September.
2. Visit the EDUCAUSE Commons: Where Connection and Curiosity Goes to Thrive
It's the beating heart of the conference—most people know it as "the exhibit hall." It's that place where you plan to "just pop in for five minutes" but then leave 90 minutes later with new ideas, quality connections with solution providers and peers, and most definitely a snack!
Here you can:
- Engage with solution providers and emerging tech companies
- Meet your community and discuss hot topics
- Chat with poster session presenters about their innovative projects
It's part expo, part idea factory, part community connection space—and fully worth your time!
Neighborhood Hubs
And don't forget to take a walking tour of our Neighborhood Hubs! We've designed these spaces to reflect the identity of the communities they serve (I.e., Teaching and Learning, Cybersecurity and Privacy, etc.) and to allow a place for conference participants to:
- Strengthen connections with peers through informal conversations, playful activations, and structured learning.
- Exchange ideas around shared challenges and experiences.
- Engage in meaningful, small‑group conversations within their IT domain.
- Discover relevant emerging technologies.
- Learn about innovative projects happening across their community.
Pro tip: Don't rush! The EDUCAUSE Commons is where your best "we should try this" ideas tend to happen.
3. Find Your People to Share What Matters
Make the most of your conference by finding your people—the folks who get what you're working on and what you're trying to solve.
If you're new, connect with fellow first-timers; if you're not, there are plenty of ways to plug back in and meet new colleagues. Swing through the Young Professionals Hub or Executive Leaders Lounge, and explore the neighborhood hubs organized around enterprise strategy, cybersecurity, and teaching and learning.
Do you have an oddly specific niche you care deeply about? That one topic you just can't get out of your head? There's a Community Group for it.
These groups connect year-round, and the conference is your chance to meet face-to-face, swap stories, and build relationships that last long after the closing keynote. Translation: less "networking," and more "you get me, you really get me!"
Pro tip: The more you lean into these spaces, the easier it is to build real connections—and get more out of your time at the conference.
4. Hit the Sessions (and Don't Skip the Poster Sessions)
Yes, the sessions are the backbone of the conference—and for good reason.
This is where you'll dive into a lineup designed to inform, inspire, and actually equip you with practical takeaways you can bring back to campus.
Whether you're looking for strategy, fresh perspectives, or tactical "we can do this next week" ideas, there's something built for you.
And don't sleep on the poster sessions—this is where practitioners share real-world work, often with just enough detail to spark your next big idea.
Pro tip: Mix big sessions with smaller, niche ones. Explore poster sessions and ignite sessions—The magic usually shows up where you least expect it.
5. Explore Denver's Mile High Vibes
Experience the "peaks and pints" energy of Colorado's Front Range!
When you're in Denver, take a little time to explore beyond the Colorado Convention Center's "Big Blue Bear." The refreshed 16th Street corridor offers a more walkable, welcoming downtown experience—with outdoor patios, public art, and plenty of spots to grab a craft beer or connect with colleagues between sessions or at the end of your day.
After all, some of the best conference and memory-making moments happen outside the venue (we won't tell!).
Pro tip: Wander a little—you and your colleagues might come for the coffee, stay for the street art, get sidetracked by a patio, and somehow end up with a new favorite spot!
Closing thoughts
Avoid "squirrel mode" at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference—hopping from session to session on the quest for a magic nut. Instead, mix all the learning with connection, exploration, and a little strategic wandering.You'll find the conference is more than just sessions—it's who you meet, what you discover, and the ideas you take back with you.