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EventsEvents 101Events 101 is an introductory-level session designed for those new to events or looking to strengthen their foundational event planning skills. It provides a clear, practical walkthrough of the entire process from idea to event delivery, breaking down what actually needs to happen at each stage. Participants will learn how to build a workable budget, understand and manage risk, market an event effectively, and identify and target the right audience to create meaningful engagement. The session is focused on practical, usable information, and includes a straightforward framework that can be taken back and adapted to support student clubs and groups in planning and delivering their own events. Events 102
The session also covers the operational and financial side of delivery, including building accurate cost projections, planning transportation and accommodation, identifying required staffing, and developing detailed running orders (run of show) to keep everything on track. It will also address supplier relationships, including when multi-year agreements make sense and how they can support consistency, efficiency, and cost control across recurring events. The Ins and Outs of Esports Esports has rapidly become a major force on college campuses across Canada and the United States, shaping how students connect, compete, and engage beyond the classroom. This session explores the evolving landscape of collegiate esports, highlighting the varsity-level esports program at St. Clair College as a case study for how structured competition, student leadership, and institutional support can coexist. Participants will gain insight into the continued growth of video gaming across all genders and identities, breaking outdated stereotypes and creating inclusive opportunities for engagement. Esports has rapidly become a major force on college campuses across Canada and the United States, shaping how students connect, compete, and engage beyond the classroom. This session explores the evolving landscape of collegiate esports, highlighting the varsity-level esports program at St. Clair College as a case study for how structured competition, student leadership, and institutional support can coexist. Participants will gain insight into the continued growth of video gaming across all genders and identities, breaking outdated stereotypes and creating inclusive opportunities for engagement. The session will also demonstrate how esports doesn’t have to start at the varsity level—simple, low-cost initiatives like free play and casual gaming spaces on campus can serve as an easy and effective programming idea to build community, support student wellness, and increase belonging. Whether you’re looking to better understand esports culture, support an existing program, or introduce gaming-based engagement to your campus, this session provides practical takeaways and scalable ideas for student life teams of all sizes. | Student Groups / Clubs / CommunitiesClub Transition Supporting Clubs in Conflict Marketing & CommunicationsBeyond the Buzz: The Future of AI Adoption for Campus Professionals - Avery Swartz If the keynote answered "should we," this session answers "how." Beyond the Buzz is a practical, 2026-current look at how campus professionals can actually put generative AI to work in the jobs they already do. Avery starts with a quick grounding in how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot really function, so delegates stop treating them like magic and start treating them like the powerful, flawed systems they are. From there the focus shifts to application: integrating AI into the workflows campus teams are already running, whether that is drafting event communications, summarizing meeting notes, repurposing content across platforms, or working through survey data. She covers tried and true prompting techniques where they help, but the bigger story in 2026 is about workflow, not single prompts. The session then moves into the shift that is changing AI faster than anything else this year: agentic AI. Avery walks through what agents actually are, where they are already showing up in tools campuses use, and what to watch for as these systems start taking on more multi-step work on their own. She closes with a look at generative images, audio, and video, so delegates leave with a clear sense of what is now possible, what to trust, and what to flag.
Campus Social Media That Connects The social media landscape moves fast and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. In this session, we'll dig into the platforms, content formats, and audience behaviours shaping campus social media today, and explore what they mean for how we connect with students. From short-form video to shifting platform demographics, attendees will walk away with fresh ideas and practical tools for applying emerging trends to their own communications strategies without losing sight of what actually resonates with the student audience. Strategic Content Planning for Campus Communications Professional DevelopmentWhat it takes to be kind! - Greg Stewart Trust, ownership, and integrity are all important factors to bringing more kindness to you and the people around you. When we learn to trust ourselves, take ownership of our actions, and align with our morals and values and act with integrity, we create internal connection and give external kindness. Tech Distraction to Human Connection: Reclaiming Focus, Performance, and Wellbeing in a Hyper-Connected World - Laura Lawrence We live in a world where digital connection is constant - but our focus, productivity, and mental clarity are under siege. The average person checks their device 144 times a day and spends upwards of 8 hours immersed in digital environments. The question is: At what cost? This timely and transformative Ed Session shines a light on the silent disruptor affecting today’s workplaces - technoference - the constant digital interruptions that chip away at performance, collaboration, and overall well-being. With insight, humor, and real-world strategies grounded in neuroscience, Laura empowers teams and leaders to take back control of their time, attention, and connection. This isn’t about going offline—it’s about getting intentional. You walk away with a renewed sense of clarity and the tools you need to build healthier tech habits, create focus-friendly environments, and foster deeper human connection in a digital-first world. Tech Distraction to Human Connection: Reclaiming Focus, Performance, and Wellbeing in a Hyper-Connected World - Laura Lawrence We live in a world where digital connection is constant - but our focus, productivity, and mental clarity are under siege. The average person checks their device 144 times a day and spends upwards of 8 hours immersed in digital environments. The question is: At what cost? This timely and transformative Ed Session shines a light on the silent disruptor affecting today’s workplaces - technoference - the constant digital interruptions that chip away at performance, collaboration, and overall well-being. With insight, humor, and real-world strategies grounded in neuroscience, Laura empowers teams and leaders to take back control of their time, attention, and connection. This isn’t about going offline—it’s about getting intentional. You walk away with a renewed sense of clarity and the tools you need to build healthier tech habits, create focus-friendly environments, and foster deeper human connection in a digital-first world. |
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