Braindate



Small groups meeting in the Braindate Lounge

The EDUCAUSE Annual Conference is all about discovering new ideas, building meaningful connections, and finding practical solutions to the challenges facing higher education technology. But some of the most valuable insights don't happen on stage. They happen in conversation.

That's where Braindate comes in.

What is a braindate?

Braindates are personalized one-on-one or small group conversations with fellow attendees, industry experts, and corporate partners who share your interests and challenges. Using the Braindate platform, you can book discussions on topics you're eager to explore, exchange ideas with peers, and gain fresh perspectives from people who understand your work.

Braindate has been the highlight if not the main draw for me at EDUCAUSE. It is the most genuine and engaging part of the conference, connected me with people who have true overlap in interests (both professionally and personally), and remains the reason I come back. -Tristan Shippen, Senior Academic Technology Specialist, Barnard College

Find Your Next Great Idea Through Braindate

  • 494

    Braindate Connections

  • 1241

    Hours of Learning

  • 235

    Topics Created

Source: 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference Braindate Data

Braindate was my favorite part of EDUCAUSE because it let me authentically connect with individuals in a a way that the sessions didn't. I have taken so much away from my interactions with the individuals that I connected with on braindates. It let me seek out what interested me. -Alyssa Dehncke-White, Instructional Technologist, Wichita State University Campus of Applied Science

Turn Conversations into Your Best Conference Takeaways

  1. Log into Braindate to create your profile. Remember to use the email you used to register for the conference.
  2. Explore the Topic Market: Attendees (and you, too!) post braindate topics here related to discussions they’d like to have with others during the event. You can invite anyone to meet based on a topic!
  3. Create topics: post braindate topics about discussions you’d like to have. This is your opportunity to share your knowledge, experiences, and expertise! Have a question about something? Post a braindate and learn from your community.
  4. Book your braindates: send invitations to meet others to discuss their topics, and accept the invitations you receive. Once confirmed, your braindates will take place in the Braindate Lounge at the conference.

The value of the braindates is incredible. I got to meet people I would have never met before and discuss topics of interest to us all. Honestly, this is a wonderful idea and I will be taking much more advantage of this next year. My advise to myself is to start early and host ideas of interest to me. -Rose Stein, Account Executive, CIQ