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If you're anything like us, you probably look forward to the higher education conference season every year.
It's not just about the sessions or workshops—it's the community.
We love attending these events because they bring together a fantastic group of like-minded higher education marketers.
There's something special about seeing the same faces year after year, sharing insights, and collaborating on new ideas. Plus, these conferences are often a chance to discover fresh perspectives and refine our strategies consistently year after year.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the field, these conferences are great for staying on top of trends, learning new techniques, and networking with professionals who are just as passionate about higher ed marketing as you are.
So, if you're planning ahead for 2025, here are the must-attend conferences that we—and many others—highly recommend!
When: March 31 – April 1, 2025
Where: Lancaster, UK
Why attend: This conference is a must for higher education marketers in the UK, offering a unique blend of digital marketing insights and strategies tailored for the education sector. With a strong focus on social media and student engagement, HashtagHigherEd UK brings together thought leaders to discuss curated topics like influencer marketing, content strategy, and digital transformation. Expect panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Agenda highlights:
- Practical workshops on content creation and digital storytelling
- Sessions on using social media analytics to inform strategy
- Networking dinners to foster collaboration across institutions
See more: HashtagHigherEd UK
When: April 6–9, 2025
Where: Orlando, Florida
Why attend: Ellucian Live is an excellent conference for those interested in integrating technology with higher education marketing. The event focuses on the use of cloud technology, data analytics, and digital tools to enhance student experience and institutional performance. The conference features deep dives into higher ed technology and how it can support marketing strategies.
Agenda highlights:
- Keynotes on the future of higher education technology
- Workshops on data-driven decision-making for marketing teams
- Breakout sessions about improving CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and student engagement through digital platforms
See more: Ellucian Live 2025
When: June 4-6, 2025
Where: Rochester, New York
Why attend: This conference is a fantastic opportunity for marketing professionals in New York’s State University system to connect, learn, and share best practices. It features practical sessions on branding, digital marketing, and student recruitment, with a focus on innovative approaches in the public sector.
Agenda highlights often focus on:
- Sessions on brand identity and crisis communications
- Interactive workshops on building student-centered digital marketing strategies
- Case studies from SUNY schools on successful campaigns and student engagement
See more: SUNYCUAD Conference
When: June 9-11, 2025
Where: Richardson, Texas
Why attend: The Texas Association of College and University Marketing (TACCM) conference is the perfect setting for marketing professionals in Texas higher education. Expect sessions dedicated to the intersection of marketing and technology, alumni engagement, and brand storytelling. This conference emphasizes collaboration and peer learning, making it a great event for regional networking.
Agenda highlights often focus on:
- Specific topics of interest to Texas Community College marketers
- Workshops on emerging digital tools, web content management, and online student engagement
- Best practices in creating impactful campaigns, user experience design, and brand communication.
- Networking events aimed at fostering partnerships between institutions
See more: TACCM Conference
When: July 15-17, 2025
Where: Portland, Maine
Why attend: Known for its intimate, hands-on format, the eduWeb Summit is an excellent event for marketers focused on digital strategy and web development. The conference is structured to foster peer-to-peer learning, with a mix of sessions, workshops, and roundtable discussions.
Agenda highlights often focus on:
- Deep dives into website user experience and accessibility
- Workshops on web analytics and student recruitment funnels
- Special focus on SEO and content strategy for higher education sites
See more: eduWeb Summit
When: September 23-24, 2025
Where: TBC, UK
Why attend: A unique UK-based conference, HE Connect focuses on higher education marketing’s strategic aspects, including recruitment, engagement, and retention. It brings together higher education professionals from Europe and the US, fostering cross-continental collaboration, and offers a mix of practical sessions, case studies, and expert panels. With a strong emphasis on innovation, this event is perfect for marketing professionals seeking to rethink their approaches in a rapidly changing environment. It's also a great place to build strong professional relationships that go beyond the event, offering guidance and mutual career support.
Agenda highlights often focus on:
- Focus on creating personalized, data-driven marketing strategies
- Sessions on the role of storytelling in recruitment marketing
- Workshops on using AI to streamline marketing efforts
See more: HE Connect 2025
7. Digital Collegium 2025 Annual Conference (formerly HighEdWeb)
When: September 28 - October 1, 2025
Where: Online & Grand Rapids, Michigan
Why attend: Recently rebranded from HighEdWeb, this hybrid event brings together higher education marketing and IT professionals, with sessions on digital transformation, data-driven marketing, and the evolving role of technology in student engagement. Expect high-level discussions on digital education’s future, as well as opportunities for hands-on learning.
Agenda highlights often focus on:
- Sessions on digital accessibility and inclusive marketing strategies
- Workshops on AI and automation tools for higher ed marketing
- Keynotes from thought leaders in digital education
See more: Digital Collegium 2025
When: October 27-30, 2025
Where: Nashville, TN & Online
Why attend: EDUCAUSE is one of the largest gatherings of higher education IT and marketing professionals, offering extensive networking opportunities, cutting-edge insights, and best practices on using technology in higher education marketing. The conference covers everything from IT strategy to digital marketing, making it ideal for professionals interested in the intersection of technology and student engagement.
Agenda highlights often focus on:
- Sessions on digital transformation and CRM systems
- Workshops on improving student engagement through mobile and online platforms
- Panels discussing the role of artificial intelligence in higher ed marketing
See more: EDUCAUSE 2025
When: Dates TBD
Where: London, UK
Why attend: ContentEd is a specialized conference focusing entirely on content strategy and storytelling in higher education. It’s perfect for marketers who want to improve their content marketing skills and focus on effective communication with prospective students.
Agenda highlights often focus on:
- Sessions on building compelling content marketing strategies
- Workshops on SEO, writing for the web, and video storytelling
- Discussions about student-centered content approaches
See more: ContentEd 2025
10. #PSEWeb 2024
When: Dates TBD
Where: TBD, Canada
Why attend: A standout conference for digital marketers in the post-secondary education space, #PSEWeb brings together marketing professionals from across Canada to discuss the latest trends in recruitment, student engagement, and digital strategy.
Agenda highlights often focus on:
- Digital marketing strategies for diverse student demographics
- Best practices in email marketing and lead nurturing
- Insights into website optimization and UX/UI design for higher ed
See more: #PSEWeb
Special mention: UCISA events
When: Dates throughout the year
Where: UK
Why attend: UCISA (Universities and Colleges Information Systems Association) events in 2025 will focus on the intersection of IT, digital transformation, and educational strategy. Perfect for marketers, IT leaders, and academic professionals, UCISA conferences tackle issues like data-driven decision-making, improving the student experience through technology, and managing digital transformation projects. These events foster a collaborative atmosphere, bringing together experts to share practical solutions and emerging trends.
See more: UCISA events
Our tips to make the most of these higher education conferences
- Plan ahead and register early to get the early bird discounts.
- Network and talk to peers; higher education is a small world, and you can build relationships that could last throughout your career.
- Take notes (and photos) so you can document key takeaways once you’re back in the office
- Stay engaged even when you’re online: many conferences have vibrant social media communities, so get involved by posting about your learnings, sharing tips, and connecting with speakers and other attendees online.
- For more tips, check out our article: 10 ways to maximize your higher education conference experience
There are plenty of otSee you there!