Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | 3:00PM–4:00PM ET | Online

Webinar | More than Swag: Let’s Move Beyond the Giveaways and into the Heart of Connection

Join us for a hands-on session where experienced EDUCAUSE attendees share practical strategies for making the most of your booth in the EDUCAUSE Commons. From preconference preparation to post-event follow-up, we’ll cover what works, what doesn’t, and how to move beyond badge scans to real conversations. You’ll learn how to align your booth messaging with current higher education themes, use your materials effectively, and create simple but effective ways to draw attendees in. Real-world examples will highlight both successes and missteps, giving you ideas you can put to use right away.

Bring your questions—we’ll allow time for discussion during the session and even accept questions in advance when you register.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Compare effective vs. ineffective customer interactions and identify ways to improve engagement.
  • Strengthen booth materials and refine your 90-second pitch into a conversation starter.
  • Connect higher education challenges to your business.
  • Apply creative booth tactics that encourage attendee engagement rather than passive scanning.
  • Build a list of actionable ideas for improving both your booth presence and follow-up strategy.
 

Presenters

  • Sandeep Sidhu

    Chief Information Officer, Emily Carr University of Art & Design
  • Karen Warren

    Associate Vice President for Information Technology, Wesleyan University

Resources & Downloads

  • Slides

    6 MB, pdf - Updated on 10/15/2025
  • Recording

    Updated on 10/15/2025

Accessibility

EDUCAUSE provides real-time AI captioning for all online events, in the main room and also in breakout rooms. To request any additional accommodations and/or services, please send an email to [email protected] or call (303) 449-4430 for assistance.

Virtual Event Policies and Expectations

Please review the EDUCAUSE Virtual Event Policies and Expectations for detailed information. View EDUCAUSE Virtual Event Policies and Expectations→