Attending HighEdWeb ’24 as an exhibitor was a dynamic and energizing experience for ERI, filled with meaningful conversations and eye-opening sessions. From the AI-driven future of higher education to discussions on leadership and content strategy, the conference provided an ideal space to connect with peers and gather valuable insights. Here’s a quick reflection on the key moments that stood out.
Paul Roetzer: The State of AI for Digital Professionals & Higher Education
One of the most impactful sessions was the conference culminating keynote led by Paul Roetzer, Founder and CEO of the Marketing AI Institute. Paul emphasized the profound technological shift we’re facing with AI, which is already transforming how we communicate, educate, and innovate. The session underscored both the immense opportunities and the challenges that AI presents to higher education and beyond. Roetzer’s key point: This is the least capable AI we will ever know, so understanding and leveraging it now is crucial for staying ahead.
Leadership and Mentorship: Leading with Grit and Grace
Another session that made an impact was Leading with Grit and Grace, a ‘Red Stapler’ award-winning panel exploring women’s mentorship, advocacy, and leadership in higher education MarComm. Myla Edmond, Meaghan Milliorn, and Mallory Willsea shared powerful insights about the importance of vulnerability, breaking through barriers, building confidence, and fostering diverse teams. The session emphasized key aspects of mentorship and community support, offering practical strategies for both current and aspiring leaders.
Brian Piper: Supercharge Your Content Marketing Workflow with AI
Brian Piper’s session on using AI to enhance content marketing was another highlight. Piper, a leading voice at the intersection of AI and higher ed, provided practical tools and tips for integrating generative AI into content creation and optimization. His approach to staying relevant in such a rapidly evolving field was a key takeaway—showing how AI can be used ethically and efficiently to supercharge marketing workflows. Another key takeaway was the diversity and breadth of AI tools that are out there, just begging to be explored [NOTE: stay tuned, as this inspired a blog article topic that will be published in our November issue of 3BT].
Sunrise Jogs & Exploring the ‘Outskirts’
Kudos to Chris Rapozo (Hannon Hill) for inspiring/organizing some early morning runs. Watching the sunrise over the New Mexico desert while jogging around the University of New Mexico campus was an unforgettable way to kick off Monday morning. On Tuesday (Day 2), our crew got a little bigger, and we ventured to catch a glimpse of the Rio Grande for some trail running – the perfect pre-conference ritual to recharge and connect with fellow attendees.
A few of us pictured here, in no particular order: (Raffi DerSimonian, ERI), Lalo Vigil (The University of Texas at San Antonio), (Catherine Santrock (Harvard University), Alison Lanier (GMB), Aaron Knight (HighEdWeb president, SUNY ESF), Beth Carron (iFactory).
Getting to Know Our Neighbors
One of the unexpected highlights of HighEdWeb ’24 was the opportunity to get to know our fellow exhibitors. At a trade show, being a good neighbor means more than just setting up booths next to one another; it’s about connecting, exchanging ideas, and learning from each other. This year, we were fortunate to be surrounded by some remarkable industry professionals with distinct expertise that complemented our own.
In our immediate vicinity, we had the pleasure of chatting with Sanjeev Shukla, President of Sanmita, whose work in web design, marketing, and digital strategy sparked some great discussions about the evolving needs of higher education institutions. A few steps away, we met Michael Lichtenstein and Christopher Fletcher from Silktide, who are doing incredible work in the field of web accessibility, reminding us of the importance of inclusivity in the digital space. Granit Doshlaku of Manaferra shared his deep knowledge of SEO, highlighting strategies to help institutions improve their online visibility and rankings. We also enjoyed sharing a border with Jason Berg and Melinda Miller from Pixo, who specialize in developing apps, websites, and software that enhance user experiences across higher ed.
These conversations reinforced how trade shows like HighEdWeb are more than just a chance to showcase products—they’re a space for building genuine connections and learning from peers who share a common mission. Meeting these industry leaders reminded us of the broader ecosystem we’re all part of, each of us contributing our own solutions to elevate the institutions we serve.
The ERI Booth and New Connections
Back at the booth, we enjoyed connecting with higher ed professionals from all over the country. Our team, including Raffi DerSimonian, our Chief Creative Officer Erjon Metohu, and Senior Strategist Mark Kravatz, brought fresh energy to our presence, and while the AirPods Max Pro giveaway certainly sparked interest, it was the genuine conversations that made an impact.
Jessica Jones, Digital Content & Event Coordinator for University of Alabama in Huntsville, won our pair of Airpods Max Pros, and James Buratti, Associate Director of Digital Strategy for University of Texas at Austin, won our American Express gift card.
HighEdWeb (excuse me, I meant to say Digital Collegium) in Ann Arbor Michigan, we can’t hardly wait.
