UB op-ed: 5 things I don’t want to miss at UB Tech®

Breakout sessions, networking, keynotes, the expo hall and the hotel experience top my list
Kelly Walsh is CIO of The College of Westchester in New York.
Kelly Walsh is CIO of The College of Westchester in New York.

There are so many great things to experience at the UB Tech conference. Be sure to peruse the agenda in advance and think about which breakout sessions you will attend. You can look forward to hearing inspiring and informative keynote addresses, as well as connecting with old and making new friends. Of course, just getting away and exploring new ideas and technologies is always so refreshing—and it will be relaxing, too, at the beautiful Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

Here are five things I don’t want to miss:

  • The breakout sessions: There are so many sessions to choose from. In each of the breakout slots, there are seven or eight sessions to choose from. There seven different session tracks to guide your choices, including the new Esports track and the new Women in Technology pre-conference.
  • Networking with colleagues: This is a huge benefit of the conference. I always come prepared with a list of topics I’m exploring. UB Tech is a great opportunity to find out what other schools are doing with various technologies and challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity.
  • The keynotes: Audiovisual visionary Gary Kayye will explore how forward-thinking institutions are leading the way with networked AV in ways that can significantly impact teaching and learning. Nido Qubein, president of High Point University in North Carolina, aims to inspire leaders to rise to the challenges of a world in constant flux. Curtis Carver, vice president of IT at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, will wrap it up by encouraging us to reframe our technology plans as the stories of our users and to create empowering digital moments that can transform higher education.

Read: Building a better network for women in tech


  • The awesome tech expo hall: I’ve been to some tech conferences where the vendor presence consisted of a dozen tired displays. That is definitely not the case at UB Tech. The large vendor hall will be full of lots of interesting products and well-informed vendor reps that understand higher ed. This is always a perfect opportunity to check out exciting new products that you want to know more about.
  • The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek: Last but certainly not least, let’s not forget where the conference is: in sunny Orlando. The Hilton has a bunch of great restaurants and an amazing pool, and so many fun destinations are just a short drive away.

The other day, a colleague who will be attending UB Tech with me said, “Only five more weeks until UB Tech!” Clearly, he’s also excited and looking forward to the event. See you there!


Kelly Walsh, CIO of The College of Westchester in New York, is the author of the Emerging Ed Tech blog at emergingedtech.com.


For more information about UB Tech® 2019, visit www.ubtechconference.com.

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