Share your big ideas in the Big Easy.

CMOLab Social | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | NOPSI Rooftop Bar

Kick off the event with a casual evening of networking, drinks, and great conversations at a stunning rooftop venue. This is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow CMOs, industry leaders, and speakers in a relaxed setting before diving into the sessions ahead. 

Join us for a day of bold conversations, strategic insights, and actionable takeaways that will help CMOs assert their influence, defend higher ed’s value, and drive institutional impact.

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | How Higher Ed CMOs are the Resistance

Higher education is contracting, but as CMOs, we have the power to do something about it. This session will explore why influence and connectivity are more crucial than ever. If higher ed is going to shrink, CMOs must ensure they are at the center of institutional decision-making, driving impact far beyond the Promotional P.

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Coffee Break

Recharge before diving into the next big conversation.

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM | (Re)Taking Control of the Narrative

Higher education has been caught in the crosshairs, and it’s causing meaningful reductions in federal and state funding. This session brings together higher ed leaders from diverse institutions—state systems, public flagships, and private universities—to discuss how they’ve taken back control of the narrative. We’ll explore their strategies for rebuilding confidence, engaging stakeholders and community members, and amplifying higher education’s true impact.

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | Lunch and Networking 

Fuel up and continue the conversation with your peers. 

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | A More Assertive Approach to Product Management 

Higher education has traditionally been slow to act when it comes to product development. But in today’s competitive landscape, institutions must take a more assertive approach to picking, pricing, and promoting their programs. Learn how leading institutions and industry experts are shifting product strategy to align with market demand and institutional goals.

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM | Break and Refreshments 

Take a moment to reset before the afternoon sessions.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM | Measuring & Communicating Institutional Impact (Lightning Talks) 

In these fast-paced lightning talks, industry leaders will share actionable insights on how CMOs can better measure, report, and communicate institutional success. From enrollment impact to perception tracking, we’ll explore the most critical reporting tools and frameworks for higher ed marketing leaders so your work can be understood and supported like it deserves.  

3:30 PM – 4:50 PM | Roundtable Sessions: Bringing Data to Life: Showcasing Higher Ed’s Most Impactful Reports 

This highly interactive session is designed for attendees to share their own internal reporting wins, challenges, and questions. Moderated by SimpsonScarborough experts and lightning talk presenters, this highly interactive session includes the sharing of attendees’ most impactful reports, dashboards, and data-driven insights. You will see what’s working at peer institutions, exchange best practices, and leave with new reporting frameworks to take back to your own campuses. 

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | CMOLab Social @ The Rooftop on Basin  

Join us for the CMOLab Social at The Rooftop on Basin for an evening that blends classic New Orleans charm with unbeatable networking. Savor local cuisine, connect with fellow higher ed marketing leaders, and take in stunning city views as you unwind from a full day of big ideas. 

For those feeling adventurous, we’re offering exclusive nighttime tours of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1—home to some of the city’s most legendary figures and storied past. Whether you’re here for the conversation, the cuisine, or the intrigue of New Orleans after dark, this is a night you won’t want to miss. 

Positioning. Influence. Growth. Day 3 is about equipping CMOs with the tools to navigate external pressures, expand their leadership reach, and drive lasting impact. 

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM | Breakfast and Networking 

Start the morning with networking over breakfast, connecting with peers before diving into a full day of strategic discussions. 

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Finding Stability in the Unstable 

It’s been a year. From the uncertainty regarding DEI language, policies, and offices to the massive reduction in NIH funding, CMOs have had to play a more direct role in campus politics and policies than at any point in history. This session will feature an expert perspective on how political and governance trends influence marketing, institutional positioning, and public perception. We can’t guarantee your role will get easier, but we can guarantee you’ll walk away with a better mindset and perspective on how to navigate it.  

9:35 AM – 10:35 AM | Aligning with the Front Porch: The CMO Relationship with Athletics   

From the Power 4 to Division III, athletics and central campus share a symbiotic relationship where both benefit from connectivity and collaboration with one another. But while it’s well established that athletics is the front porch to the university, how marketing can better align with athletics—strategically and promotionally—is less established. As the headlines around athletics increasingly move further away from the playing field, there is no better time to learn how teams within these two units can work together and emerge victorious.    

10:35 AM – 10:45 AM | Refreshment Break 

Take a short break to recharge before the next session. 

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM | What’s Next? Examining Career Pathways Beyond the CMO Role 

CMOs have a unique skill set that can propel them into broader leadership roles across institutional strategy, revenue management, and even the presidency. This session brings together former CMOs who have transitioned into executive leadership, sharing insights on how to position yourself for higher-level strategic roles, expand influence, and leverage marketing expertise to drive institutional success. 

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM | Closing Remarks  

Join us for a final reflection on the insights and trends shared over the past three days. We’ll summarize the emerging priorities for higher ed marketers so you can travel home with the confidence and comradery that only comes from the CMOLab. 

Starting at 12:00 PM | Grab & Go Lunch 

Grab a takeout lunch for your travels home, because elevating marketing on campus can’t happen on an empty stomach.