June 2 – 4

CMOLab 2026:
Get Bold in Boulder

Location:: Boulder, CO

Location:: Boulder, CO

In June 2026, CMOLab heads to Boulder, Colorado, for two days designed to give higher ed CMOs exactly what they need most: space to think big, swap real stories, and build a network that sticks. No filler. No fluff. Just smart sessions, candid conversations, and the kind of connections that make the hard job of leading marketing in higher education feel a little lighter…and a lot more inspiring.

Scenes from the 2025 CMOLab in New Orleans

The CMO Lab is the conference I look forward to most each year. It is hands-down the best networking and community building event for CMOs.

CMOLab Agenda

High altitude, higher standards. This agenda is designed to elevate how you lead.

Tuesday, June 2

Please plan on arriving to Boulder before 5pm.

6:00pm – 9:00pm: Welcome Social Event @ Hotel Limelight

Wednesday, June 3

7:30a – 8:45a: Breakfast and Networking

8:45a – 9:00a: Welcome to the CMOLab

9:00a – 10:00a: Overcoming the Alignment Gap

10:00a – 10:15a: Coffee Break

10:15a – 11:45a: Navigate Crisis Communications with Confidence

11:45a – 1:00p: Lunch and Networking

1:00p – 2:00p: How AI Can (and Can’t) Shape Higher Ed Marketing Teams

2:05p – 3:05p: Navigating the Exposure of the CMO Role

3:05p – 3:30p: Break and Refreshments

3:30p – 4:15p: The Importance of Building Your Personal Brand

4:15p – 4:45p: Lightning Talks – “Other Duties As Assigned”

4:45p – 5:00p: Day 2 Wrap-Up and Day 3 Preview

7:00p – 10:00p: CMOLab Social (Location TBA)

Thursday, June 4

7:30a – 8:30a: Breakfast and Networking

8:30a – 9:30a: A New Era of College Athletics in Power, Pay, and Brand

9:30a – 10:30a: Making the Most of Your Relationship with University Foundations

10:30a – 10:45a: Refreshment Break

10:40a – 11:40a: Maximizing Campus Milestones as Brand Amplifiers

11:45a – 12:00p: Wrap-Up and Thank You

Takeout lunches will be available starting at noon. CMOLab participants are welcome to take lunch to go or stick around for extra time with SimpsonScarborough folks and other CMOs.

Welcome to the brand-new Limelight Hotel Boulder, our home for CMOLab 2026! Opened in Fall 2025, it’s equal parts chic and cozy, perched right on CU Boulder’s historic Hill and just a short stroll to downtown. We’ve secured a room block with a nightly rate of $249/night just for you.

Getting here is a breeze: Denver International Airport (DEN) is only 40 miles away with flights from just about everywhere, and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) is a quick 13-mile hop if you’re flying in from select spots.

Book your hotel room by May 2, 2026

$1,200
Regular Rate (starts March 10, 2026)

Includes:
- Registration for one CMO
- All sessions, workshops, and breakout discussions
- Welcome Reception
- CMO Social
- Breakfast and lunch

Register Today

Built for CMOs, by CMOs.

This year, four practicing CMOs are helping shape the CMOLab experience. These are leaders who are in the work every day, navigating enrollment pressures, brand evolution, budget scrutiny, team development, and the growing complexity of higher ed marketing.

Erin Petrotta

Chief Marketing Officer, Oklahoma State University
Russell Yost

AVP for Marketing & Communications, University of San Diego
Marina Cooper

Senior AVP, Integrated Marketing & Brand, The Johns Hopkins University
Jason Cook

VP for Marketing & Communications/Chief Marketing Officer, Baylor University

Erin Petrotta

Chief Marketing Officer, Oklahoma State University

Russell Yost

AVP for Marketing & Communications, University of San Diego

Marina Cooper

Senior AVP, Integrated Marketing & Brand, The Johns Hopkins University

Jason Cook

VP for Marketing & Communications/Chief Marketing Officer, Baylor University

CMOLab 2026 Speakers

Meet this year's speakers—they bring clear vision, steady footing, and stories earned the hard way.

Michele Ehrhart serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the University of Memphis where she leads the development and execution of the university’s branding, marketing, and communications strategy. With over 30 years of experience in reputation management, branding, and crisis communications across industries, Michele has a proven track record of overseeing award-winning communications campaigns. She spent two decades at FedEx where she led global media relations, executive communications, social media, and crisis management efforts.

Michele Ehrhart

SVP and CMO, University of Memphis
Murray leads SimpsonScarborough’s Accounts, Marketing, and Partnerships divisions, overseeing the agency’s strategic growth. He’s passionate about higher education, media, marketing, AI, and public speaking—and firmly believes that in order for Universities to stand out, they have to be brave. His approach centers on achieving real outcomes for clients, combining insight, creativity, and bold execution.

Murray Simpson

Senior Vice President, Growth
Jenny brings more than two decades of experience leading marketing, communications, and enrollment strategy in complex higher education environments. She has held senior leadership roles at public research universities, where she partnered closely with presidents, cabinets, and boards to align brand, enrollment, and institutional priorities. Before joining SimpsonScarborough, Jenny served as Vice President for Marketing Communications, Experience, and Engagement at the University of Montana, overseeing enterprise marketing and communications, brand experience, alumni relations, and employee engagement. Earlier in her career, she led enrollment marketing and brand strategy at the University of Wyoming after transitioning from the private sector.

Jenny Petty

Vice President, Industry Relations & Advisory Services

Michele Ehrhart serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the University of Memphis where she leads the development and execution of the university’s branding, marketing, and communications strategy. With over 30 years of experience in reputation management, branding, and crisis communications across industries, Michele has a proven track record of overseeing award-winning communications campaigns. She spent two decades at FedEx where she led global media relations, executive communications, social media, and crisis management efforts.

Michele Ehrhart

SVP and CMO, University of Memphis

Murray leads SimpsonScarborough’s Accounts, Marketing, and Partnerships divisions, overseeing the agency’s strategic growth. He’s passionate about higher education, media, marketing, AI, and public speaking—and firmly believes that in order for Universities to stand out, they have to be brave. His approach centers on achieving real outcomes for clients, combining insight, creativity, and bold execution.

Murray Simpson

Senior Vice President, Growth

Jenny brings more than two decades of experience leading marketing, communications, and enrollment strategy in complex higher education environments. She has held senior leadership roles at public research universities, where she partnered closely with presidents, cabinets, and boards to align brand, enrollment, and institutional priorities. Before joining SimpsonScarborough, Jenny served as Vice President for Marketing Communications, Experience, and Engagement at the University of Montana, overseeing enterprise marketing and communications, brand experience, alumni relations, and employee engagement. Earlier in her career, she led enrollment marketing and brand strategy at the University of Wyoming after transitioning from the private sector.

Jenny Petty

Vice President, Industry Relations & Advisory Services

Scenes from 2025 CMOLab in New Orleans

CMOLab 2026:
Get Bold in Boulder

CMOLab Agenda

Register Today