Strategic Symposium at Connect U

Overview

Since 2005, Hobsons has conducted Connect U conferences exclusively for EMT users and is now extending this successful model across a broader range of products and services. This extension began in 2009 with The Strategic Symposium at Connect U—a one-day event designed for colleges and universities using the Hobsons Integrated Marketing Solutions (IMS) products.

Like Connect U, the 2009 Strategic Symposium provided an opportunity for higher education experts to network with like-minded professionals from across the United States, to share best practices, and to address the issues facing domestic, graduate, and international recruitment and enrollment. Through a series of short presentations and workshops, attendees gained strategic and practical knowledge they could apply immediately to their campus.

The 2010 Connect U event has given Hobsons an opportunity to better integrate two sides of the Hobsons business which represent different products, services, and users. The Strategic Symposium will no longer be held as a separate event on a separate day. Instead, there will be a new track during the main conference sessions entitled “Integrated Marketing Solutions.”

Geared toward any attendee who deals with marketing and attraction of prospective domestic, international, or graduate students, the IMS track sessions will provide a nice addition to the EMT lineup.

Location

Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
www.minneapolis.hyatt.com

Date

General Session:
Pre-conference Workshops: Monday, June 28 (all day)
General Session: Tuesday, June 29 - Wednesday, June 30 (all day)
Client Excellence Awards: Wednesday, June 30 (evening)

Registration

Registration is FREE and easy! Simply click here to get registered now. If your institution uses Hobsons’ IMS products (including CollegeView.com, CollegeConfidential.com, USA Education Guides, etc), please indicate “IMS” as one option when asked which products are being used. This does not restrict you from attending specific sessions; all attendees are encouraged to attend sessions which appeal to them.

Cost

Pre-conference workshops are $150 per person, per workshop. Standard Hotel Rooms: $149/night.

Marketing and Attraction Track Presentations

Below we have highlighted several sessions which make up the Marketing and Attraction Track at Connect U. While these sessions are open to all attendees, they may be most beneficial to anyone whose job responsibilities include marketing, brand awareness, and engaging prospective students in the recruitment process. Click here to view the complete conference agenda.

Agenda

Panel Discussion: Engaging Students Through Social Media
University of New Haven, Stevenson University, and The George Washington University

Hear how several schools have developed and maintained a strong presence on the internet through the use of social media, as well as creative integration of print communication adapted for the web. This session will provide attendees with the opportunity to share their own experiences, while also learning from others, the "best practices" for recruiting online.

Define Yourself - College Branding for the 21st Century
Bloomfield College

This session will review all of the important components of a successful brand and identity for colleges. This presentation will demonstrate how almost everything the admission office and campus does affects the overall brand and identity of a school. Attendees will learn valuable ways to create and develop a brand identity management plan and how to standardize branding applications throughout the admission office and the rest of the campus.

Topics will include: developing a campus-wide brand & identity guide, working with other departments to standardize color and graphics usage, maintaining brand uniformity across all communication pieces (letters, postcards, emails, etc), and developing successful advertising that incorporates your brand & identity.

No Budget Increase but Bring in the Class: How to Stay Afloat in Times of Economic Challenge
Augsburg College

Find out how Augsburg College, a small, private liberal arts college in Minnesota, went from 325 new first-year students to 447 in just four years without an increase in budget or staff. Faced with having to cut traditional recruitment strategies due to budget limitations, Augsburg Admissions became a leader in innovative methods of recruitment. Senior staff from Augsburg will share their proven strategies for enrollment including outreach tactics, on-campus event planning, staff development and motivation, and the use of student workers. Come prepared to share ideas!

Working Successfully with Third Party Counselors
George Mason University

This session will explore how George Mason University is using the International Counselor Network as part of their international development and recruitment strategy. The presentation covers the following key areas:

What is the International Counselor Network (ICN)?
Why Mason is using ICN;
How to work effectively with third-party counselors as part of broader international strategy;
Mason recruiting in India – Case Study;
Developing programs to meet international student needs – the Mason India Briding programs;

2010 Market Research for Undergraduate and International Recruitment
Hobsons

Each year Hobsons commissions market research in three areas: Undergraduate, Graduate, and International recruitment. This research allows Hobsons to stay abreast of market conditions, enabling Hobsons to make informed business decisions. Hobsons will be making this information available to clients attending Connect U. In this session Dan Jones, Director of Special Projects for Hobsons, will be presenting this year's findings on the Undergraduate and International markets.

Twitter 101
Marist College and University of Virginia

If you haven’t adopted a social media strategy yet, Twitter may be an easy way to get started. Hear from two points of view (social media veteran and social media novice) on how to utilize Twitter for recruitment and outreach. For those of you already Tweeting, measures for success and opportunities for future development will also be discussed.

Getting to Know the High School Counselor: The Integration of Hobsons Products
Naviance and Hobsons

Here is your time to come ask your questions and receive answers directly from a distinguished panel of high school counselors. Come prepared to ask them about their experiences with Hobsons integrated products – Naviance Succeed, College View and College Confidential. We are confident that our panel will answer all of your questions as you move forward on improving your own recruitment program.

Balancing Act: Marketing Yourself and Leveraging Technology
Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago has been a trailblazer in integrating their marketing efforts with their technology solutions. Expertly balancing brand management with enrollment management, Columbia is a leader in their field. At Columbia it is not a matter of dividing up budget funds but, rather, learning how to spread them appropriately. Hear Murphy Monroe, Executive Director, discuss how he determines where to spend his marketing dollars and how he maximizes that spend by leveraging the technology used in his office.

The Next Big Thing
Indiana University

For years, Roger Thompson has been a recruiter who is open to trying anything and everything to attract students to campus. With Roger, Indiana has been cutting edge in employing new tactics and solutions that get student interest. Hear what methods Indiana uses to evaluate new ideas and then implement them in a timely and effective manner.

2010 Market Research for Graduate Recruitment
Hobsons

Not Convinced?

If you are still unsure about whether Connect U is right for you, let us help you decide! We are hosting a webinar on Thursday, April 22nd at 2:00 ET. To read information specific to first-time attendees click here, or contact us directly at sammon@hobsons.com.