A Conference for Higher Ed Marketers
Feb 17-19, 2020
The Kimpton Brice Hotel, Savannah, GA
Featuring an all-new format, Stamats 2020 is the total recruitment package: Attendees will explore innovative strategies for reaching and converting non-traditional and adult students, learn best practices for recruiting traditional students, and discover how to engage with each of these audiences using the latest tools and research.
The full conference is $850 with options to select attendance for one, two, or three days. Optional workshops available on day one.
Chancellor of North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical
State University
Vice President, Strategic Communications
& External Relations
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Any higher ed professional who’s involved in the planning and implementation of marketing and programming directed at traditional (first-year freshmen, transfers) and non-traditional (undergraduate, graduate) students.
Beatrice Szalas, Vice President for Client Services, Stamats
Jim Brown, Marketing Director, Marywood University
It all starts with a powerful brand. Join Beatrice and Jim for this popular and proven brand workshop. Explore important research and relevant strategies to reinvigorate your brand. This is a great opportunity to network with your colleagues and shape a plan to assess your institution’s brand health.
Bob Sevier, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Stamats
Help your institution thrive in these turbulent times. Bob will share the most up-to-date information on critical issues such as institutional vision, leadership, revenue diversification, academic portfolio management, recruitment best practices, and more!
Ryan Trout, Founder and CEO of Admissions Counselor Training
Designed for admissions leaders and their teams, this session goes beyond the process side of admissions to focus on the importance of relationship-development. You’ll leave with the information you need to provide year-round professional development.
Chancellor of North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University
Amy Luethmers, Chief Marketing Officer, University of Wisconsin – Stout
Now more than ever before, marketing and recruitment success depends on having a strong project management framework. In this session, you’ll be introduced to the Agile Marketing movement and learn how you can incorporate this approach to deliver winning results.
Trista Wdziekonski, Director of Graduate Studies, University of Michigan-Dearborn
Using a shared services model, the University of Michigan-Dearborn moved from a decentralized to centralized graduate admissions operation. Since then, trust has grown, a CRM has been implemented, and the university is working on a graduate communication plan designed to cultivate relationships with prospects at every stage of the admissions funnel.
Terri Giltner, System Director of Marketing at Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Eric Sickler, Vice President for Client Services, The Thorburn Group
Imagine being asked to align the brands of 16 community colleges plus the system they form, while making sure each maintains its distinctive personality. Learn how three agencies collaborated with KCTCS to successfully meet this massive branding challenge.
Jenny Carrick, Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis
The message matters. At a new graduate school, a team of two went from repurposing content for their prospective student, donor and alumni audiences to developing unique content for each. Learn how they did it using strategic calendars, themes, and more.
Cody Watson, Associate Director of Marketing, William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business
A case study from William & Mary’s Flex MBA Program, illustrates how to apply the data gathered through marketing channels to increase conversions. Focusing on Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn we’ll examine how to leverage each platform’s strengths to get your message to the right candidates at the right time.
Dr. Tracy Duncan, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and Program Development, Pillar College
Strong intra-and inter-departmental collaboration is linked to higher student enrollment and greater student success. In this session, we’ll explore how to tear down the silos that undermine institutional effectiveness and nurture a culture that’s united by a common vision.
Vice President, Strategic Communications and External RelationsRensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Mariah Obiedzinski, Director of Content Services, Stamats
Implementing a call-to-action (CTA) strategy is a simple way to improve the user experience, simplify enrollment, and improve conversion. In this interactive session, you’ll learn the uses and benefits different types of CTAs and how to develop an effective strategy for your website
Cory Cozad, Account Executive, Stamats
Americans are exposed to a staggering 4,000-10,000 ads every day. This session highlights ways colleges and universities can cut through the competing noise. We’ll examine how to use digital advertising strategically, engage users through personalized content, and continuously optimize campaigns for greater results.
Joan Benson, Associate Vice President, Creative and Digital Strategy, Stamats
This is the ultimate DIY guide to auditing your website’s content, complete with definitions, strategies, tools, and tactics. You’ll learn about the three main types of audits, what situation each one serves best, software tools to speed you along, and steps for conducting each type.
Kelly Paul, Assistant Director of Marketing, UNC Greensboro Online
Get an inside look at how UNC Greensboro designed and launched an unexpectedly bold marketing campaign for a new online degree. Discover how they developed and tested key messages and creative, and the steps they took to build campus buy-in.
*Big Sacrifice, Big Spending, Being Stuck, Being Scared, Brutal Schedule
Sandra Fancher, Chief Innovation Officer, Stamats
While digital trends are constantly in flux, it’s imperative that institutions rise to the challenge and keep pace. With an eye toward better navigating the future, Sandra will explore what changes we can expect in 2020 and beyond.
Jason Jones, Award-Winning Photographer & Filmmaker at JonesFoto
From the Cineplex to the phone in your pocket, moving pictures are everywhere. This presentation explores best practices to reach audiences of all ages through a variety of video production and post-production techniques. We’ll also discuss how to use video to elevate your institution’s brand.
Randy Burge, Vice President, Stamats
Peter Glanville, Marketing Automation Manager, Cornell University SC Johnson School of Business
In the world of elite business schools, enrollment decisions are often based upon incremental differences in rankings. This detailed case study examines how the MBA programs at Cornell’s Johnson College of Business beat formidable competitors using the techniques of demand generation marketing.
Lin Larson, Digital Strategist, Stamats | Kelly O’Brien, Digital Strategist, Stamats
The question isn’t should you have a content management system (you must), but what are you doing with your CMS. In this session, two former Big 10 communications and marketing pros will explore new ways your CMS can keep your SEO, accessibility, and content strategy running efficiently.
Bill Thorburn, Executive Creative Director and CEO, The Thorburn Group
In this dynamic session, Bill Thorburn discusses his firm’s work with Polaroid, Coke, National Geographic and other iconic brands committed to creating deeper brand experiences. Join us as we explore how colleges and universities can apply lessons from some of the top consumer brands in the world.
Darren White, Brand Consultant, D. White & Company
Here’s higher ed marketing’s dirty little secret: College and university rebrands fail every day – and not for the reasons you might expect. Explore the hidden pitfalls that sink campus rebrands – and learn how to avoid them. For those launching or revamping a new brand soon, this session is a can’t-miss.
Hayley Wolf, TargetX
What happens when you're a prospective college student? Turns out, you get a lot of emails. Last year a student on Reddit posted his analysis of the 2,374 emails he received from 115 different institutions during the college search process. So what can we learn from this? We'll look at what schools are doing wrong when it comes to email marketing (from the student’s perspective) and share our 10 tips for adjusting your email strategy to minimize email fatigue and build credibility and interest with prospective students.
Drew Miller Director, College Partnerships
When you understand how students prefer to connect and engage with the schools they’re considering, you can drive conversion. This session explores how traditional, adult, online, and international students communicate with institutions across all devices, channels, and major social media platforms.
Lisa Brosky, Vice Chancellor, External Relations, Pima Community College
In our current higher education landscape change is coming, whether we want it or expect it. Using Pima Community College's rapid transition from a failing institution to premier community college, learn to recognize when change demands a new story and how to adapt to shifting expectations.
Senior Director of Enrollment, Concordia College, NY
Bob Sevier, Senior Vice President, Stamats
What are the 10 most common marketing mistakes in higher education? What are they costing you? How can you correct them? In this session, you’ll learn how to focus departmental resources, get the most out of research, communicate with purpose, and grow enrollment.
Becky Morehouse, Senior Vice President, Stamats
The term “transfer student” is exasperatingly imprecise. Whether they’ve taken a single class or accumulated 90 credits, a new transfer student offers colleges and universities opportunities . . . and challenges. In this session, we’ll reveal three activities to turn any type of transfer prospect into a student.
Dave Olsen, Professional Technologist, WVU University Relations – Digital Services
"Data-driven marketing" is more than a buzz-worthy term – it's a proven success strategy you can achieve with the right tools. In this session, learn how West Virginia University implements dashboards and workflows to meet data-driven marketing goals.
Joan Benson, Associate Vice President, Digital & Creative Strategy | Stamats Mariah Obiedzinski, Director of Content Services, Stamats
Ensuring that your site is accessible to all engages every web discipline. Together, everyone has to make it work. This session covers the basics, ongoing practice, and the emerging challenges in accessibility for college and university websites, no matter your role.
Sandra Fancher, Chief Innovation Officer, Stamats
Your website is the core of your marketing and recruitment efforts. In this session, well take a look at who’s getting it right by touring top websites in higher education and other related industries. Learn how to handle complex site challenges through real-world examples.
Alicia Kornowa, Director of Admissions, Western Michigan University
Since the campus visit is most trusted source of information for prospects, it’s crucial to make sure your campus is presented authentically and effectively. Join us as we discuss what to consider when developing and refining the campus visit.
Kimpton Brice Hotel | The Southern Belle of Hotels in Savannah GA
The Kimpton Brice Hotel is like any good Southern belle — beautiful and poised on the outside, a bit sassy and rebellious on the inside. Enjoy the boutique hotel’s urban resort vibe right in the center of Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District, filled with museums, churches, gardens, monuments, mansions and more. In fact, The Kimpton Brice Hotel is centrally located in the historic district, just a cobblestone’s throw away from the famed River Street and walking distance to City Market. No need to choose between storied and modern when you can get both at The Kimpton Brice Hotel.
- Fodor's Travel 2018
- Southern Living
Directions from the Savannah Airport
The dining scene in Savannah is as varied as the cuisine. From Southern cuisine to more down-home establishments to upscale New American, you will have a virtual smorgasbord of dining and food options here. Check out just some of the many great places to eat in Savannah, Georgia!
Walk or Ride to Nearby Attractions from The Kimpton Brice Hotel.
Emmet Park (1 block)
Savannah History Museum - 1.2 miles
Savannah Riverboat Cruises - 0.4 miles
Savannah Theatre - 0.7 miles