As specialists in higher ed digital solutions, we get pretty stoked for the annual HighEdWeb conference each fall. While some conferences focus on marketing in general, and others focus on niche disciplines or platforms, HighEdWeb brings together a multidisciplinary group of folks who are in the digital trenches every day. It’s a pretty big deal to our team. Kind of like our Comic-Con—only the superheroes have better disguises.
We’ve been involved with the event for a number of years now—Modern Tribe Strategist Shelley Keith, a long-time higher ed trench-person herself, currently serves on committee for the Content/UX Academy and frequently presents or runs workshops at the conference each year. As a company, we’ve had the privilege of sponsoring the event, and this year they’ve allowed us to claim the inaugural Golden Nugget Sponsorship. It’s our official way of supporting the invaluable knowledge share that happens at the event each year.
And as luck would have it, HighEdWeb 2019 will be hosted in Milwaukee, which just happens to be the stomping grounds of several midwestern Triberians. For the benefit of those attending this year, we thought we’d share our recommendations for your time in Milwaukee, both at the conference and beyond.
Where To Find Modern Tribe
We love catching up with old friends—and meeting new ones. If you’re able to come say hi, here’s where you can find us.
- Shelley will be helping higher ed leaders level up in web governance in her session, “Cozying up to Chaos: Getting Started with Web Governance in Higher Ed,” part of the Leadership Academy taking place the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding the conference (October 12-13).
- Mike Klanac and Helen Porter from our Business Development team will be holding down the fort at our booth in the exhibit hall. They’ll be the ones with the Modern Tribe signs. Come say hello!
- If Mike and Helen aren’t incentive enough, we’ve got SWAG! Make sure to jot down your best “aha!” moment on the blue card in your attendee bag. Bring it to our booth, collect your exclusive #hewebgold pin (destined to become a coveted collector’s item!), and enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
- You can also share your golden nugget idea via Twitter using #hewebgold. If you aren’t attending the conference in-person, follow @moderntribeinc to see your colleagues’ most valuable takeaways!
- Too much action to swing by the booth? Shoot us a note at [email protected], and Mike or Helen will find some time to meet up with you personally.
Who Else To Check Out
A few friends of Modern Tribe are also speaking at the event. Here’s where to find our partners and clients:
- Donna Talarico is a content writer with Modern Tribe—and an overachiever with two sessions at the conference. She’ll be leading a workshop on Sunday, October 13, 1:00-4:30pm: “Plain and Simple: How To Get Rid of the Jargon and Write for Real People.” And on Monday, October 14 she’ll be participating in a panel called “On The Side: Freelancing, Moonlighting & Side-Hustling in Higher Ed.”
- Jason Woodward of Cornell (and awesome Modern Tribe client) will be presenting “A Gentle Introduction to Web UI Programming with React.” Check it out Sunday, October 13, 1:00-4:30pm.
- Matt Ryan of Carleton College (another of our valued higher ed clients) will be leading the cleverly named “Guten Tolerance: Optimizing the New WordPress Authoring Experience for Higher Ed” on Monday, October 14, 11:30am-12:15pm.
- And last but not least, Teri Williams and Rachael Kelly, the extraordinary duo from Boise State, will be talking about how they used The Events Calendar (our suite of event management tools for WordPress) in their session “Mark Your Calendar: Creating and Managing an Aggregated University Events Website.” Mark your calendars for Monday, October 14, 10:15-11:30am so you don’t miss out.
What To Do With Your Spare Time
With so much great programming to take in, plus the opening session on Sunday night and karaoke on Tuesday night, it’s hard to imagine that you’ll have much spare time. But if you do manage to steal away from the Wisconsin Center (Monday night?), or if you have an extra day before or after the conference, we’ve got some tips on where to grab a bite or a pint. Check out these recommendations from our resident Milwaukeean Triberians:
Close to Wisconsin Center
For food and drinks
- Canary Coffee Bar – a walkable tea and coffee spot
- Old German Beer Hall – beer, sausage, and hammerschlagen!
- Swingin’ Door Exchange – described as “solid food, old-school Wisco vibe.”
- Amilinda – Portuguese-Spanish restaurant; a great spot for dinner
- Brudd Cafe – a walkable option for cheese and charcuterie
- Alem Ethiopian – “killer lunch buffet”
- Good City Brewing – great craft beer
- Lucky Ginger – amazing Asian fusion; the best dumplings in the city. Try the mule.
For fun
- The architecturally imposing Milwaukee Art Museum
- The Safehouse – described as “Milwaukee’s Best Kept Secret”
- The Bronze Fonz – it’s exactly what it sounds like
Neighborhoods To Explore
These options in different neighborhoods will require you to jump on a bike, streetcar, bus, or Uber—but are worth checking out.
- The Historic Third Ward: “walkable, shoppable, eatable, drinkable, and super close to downtown. Must visits include Milwaukee Public Market (a smaller version of Pike’s Place), lots of boutique shopping, galleries, the Outsider rooftop patio, Camp Bar, and Bavette (be still our hearts, Bavette!).”
- Walker’s Point: Favorites include Purple Door Ice Cream, the Tin Widow (gin bar), Morel (only Rachel’s favorite restaurant of all time), MOVIDA, Anodyne Coffee Roasters, Zocalo Food Truck Park
- The East Side: Strange Town (super hip vegan eats/wine bar), the Jazz Estate, Hacienda Beer Company, Good City Brewing, Easy Tyger, Balzac (great wine/food), Up-Down (arcade bar), Lakefront Brewery (“go for the brewery tour!”)
Bars Worth Seeking Out
These watering holes are worth going out of your way to visit:
- Bryant’s Cocktail Bar
- Koz’s Mini-Bowl (dive bar duckpin bowling…call ahead!)
- Vanguard
- Goodkind
- Burnhearts
Meet You in Milwaukee!
For anything else you need to know, be sure to check out the event site. See you soon!