CampusConnect 2021 User Conference Highlights

For the first time since 2019, Nelnet Campus Commerce was able to bring clients and Nelnet associates together, but this time in a digital world. Our last in-person CampusConnect was held near Niagara Falls, NY with about 100 clients in attendance. Unfortunately, in 2020, the event was completely canceled due to the pandemic. With a lot of innovation and forward thinking, NCC took this year’s CampusConnect Tomorrow, together virtual! This event was completely free for clients and our event organizers were thrilled with the number of virtual attendees—close to 700!

At this year’s user conference we had a few goals in mind:

• Partner with our clients and actively listen to each other
• Gain valuable feedback on how we can connect more
• Ensure our client’s we are building their feedback into current and future products

Clients engaged with Nelnet associates through sessions and workshops on the latest trends in higher education along with demos and updates on our solutions. This included the chance for clients to interact on camera with the product team to give their feedback on roadmaps. Something new this year was a Virtual Expert Bar where clients had the opportunity to get personalized product support for their institutions.

There were 70+ sessions clients could attend ranging in a variety of topics. Some of the well-attended sessions included:

• Vision for Nelnet Campus Commerce, hosted by Jackie Strohbehn, President of NCC
• The Post-Pandemic College, hosted by Jeff Selingo, Author & Higher Education Strategic Advisor
• Nelnet Campus Commerce Product Vision, hosted by Daryl Robinson, Director of Product Strategy, NCC
• Your Attitude, Your Choice, hosted by Aaron Davis, Thought Leader and Expert

No conference is complete without social events for networking and connecting with peers – and this virtual conference had many. Food themed events included baking Runza’s with DeeAnn Wenger, President of Nelnet Business Services, making pasta sauce with Paul Aries, Senior Vice President NCC, and mixing cocktails with an expert Seattle mixologist. Sessions for the body and mind were also included with yoga and mindfulness, each led by Nelnet Account Executives Mary O’Callaghan and Roge Karam, respectively.

Before the conference we had a pre-conference survey where we provided a $5,000 donation to a school for their feedback. The winner, Allison Milam, from University of Colorado Colorado Springs, won the drawing and UCCS will receive a $5,000 donation!

Our event would not be complete without a thank you to our wonderful Gold and Silver Sponsors:

• Applied Performance Analytics
• Bluefin
• CampusGuard
• Discover Card
• GradGuard
• Nelnet Bank
• TAB Service Company
• Western Union Business Solutions

Missed a session from the conference? Session recordings will be available for two weeks on the event platform and then will be distributed to clients in a variety of digital ways thereafter.