Agentic AI and the Student Experience

The Agentic AI and the Student Experience is a signature event exploring how next-generation AI technologies are transforming the student journey. This 3-day event brings together education and industry leaders who are committed to designing AI systems that enhance human agency, expand access and strengthen learning in meaningful ways.

• Dates: October 20-22, 2026

• Location: Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU, 7 E. University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281
• Phone: (602) 794-8600

This three-day event will feature:

• Keynote presentations from national thought leaders in AI, education, and technology
• Interactive workshops on real-world applications of agentic AI

• Forward-thinking panel discussions featuring students, educators, and industry experts

   

Congratulations! Please confirm your participation by completing the form in your acceptance email from Laura Geringer by June 12, 2026. The email will come from [email protected].

• June 12, 2026: Accept your invitation to present by completing the form in your email.
• June 24, 2026: Confirm your session title and description and submit your headshot photo. This information will be used for the official program and event promotion.
• August 25, 2026: Deadline to submit AV/tech needs, speaker bios, preferred name, official title, and social media handles.
• August: Your registration will be complimentary. However, you will need to register for the event by August 25. The speaker link will be sent to you in an email.
• ASAP: Book your travel accommodations: We’ve secured a discounted room block at the Omni Tempe at ASU, which is also the event venue. Please book your accommodations early, as space is limited. 

Session & speaker information: 

• By June 24, 2026: speaker headshot photo, final session title and description.
• By August 25, 2026: speaker bios, preferred name, official title, and social media handles.

AV/tech needs: We provide a screen, projector, microphones, slide advancer and power access. If you have other AV/tech needs, please submit them to Laura Geringer ([email protected]) by August 25, 2026. 

Main Stage Speakers: Please submit your final slide decks by September 21, 2026.  Your final slide deck should be shared in Google Slides or PowerPoint. Please share the Google Slides link with Laura Geringer ([email protected]).

Speaker Liaison Contacts:

• Main Contact:
  Laura Geringer – [email protected]
• Backup Contacts:
  Corinna Busciglio — [email protected]
• Erin Morrow, Events Manager, [email protected]

The goal of this event is to spark timely, forward-thinking conversations about the role of agentic AI in shaping the future student experience. By bringing together educators, technologists, researchers, and industry leaders, the gathering will explore how AI systems that proactively make decisions can transform learning, support, and engagement in higher education. 

Only keynotes on the main stage will be recorded for this event. 

If your session is being recorded, there are a few things you can do to make sure it comes across well for anyone watching later. 

• Try to speak clearly and at a steady pace. 

• Stay close to the laptop mic so your audio is easy to hear. 

• If you’re using technical terms or jargon, be sure to explain them so everyone can follow along. 

• When you show charts or images, take a moment to describe what’s on the slide (that helps with accessibility and makes the recording more useful). 

• Finally, don’t forget to repeat any questions from the audience before answering, especially since the mic may not pick them up.

In-Person Presentation (Long Format)

A focused,  1-2 person presenter session delivering insights, research, or applied use cases in AI. Sessions are up to 45 minutes and may include time for audience engagement.

Panel or Fireside Chat

A moderated conversation featuring no more than four speakers. This format centers on diverse perspectives, real-world experience, and dialogue, with opportunities for audience questions.

Lightning Talk

A concise, high-impact presentation designed to share a bold idea, innovation, or emerging practice. Sessions are up to 30 minutes and emphasize clarity, relevance, and actionable insight.

Workshop

An interactive session designed for hands-on learning and collaboration. Participants engage directly with tools, frameworks, or problems, leaving with practical skills and strategies they can apply immediately.

Start by reviewing the Panel Fact Sheet, which will be sent to you before the event. It will give you a sense of the event’s key themes, the audience you’ll be speaking to, and what the organizers hope to achieve with the session. Get to know your fellow panelists in advance, if possible, and think about how your expertise fits into the flow of the conversation. It’s also helpful to touch base with your moderator beforehand to go over timing, cues, and any key messages they would like to emphasize. That way, all participants are on the same page and the session feels polished and engaging.

Before the event, you will receive the final agenda, a venue map, parking details, and registration check-in. You’ll also receive a social media promo kit to help spread the word about the event.

The dress code is business casual. We recommend wearing layers, as conference rooms tend to be on the cooler side - bringing a light jacket or sweater will help keep you comfortable throughout the day.

To ensure a smooth and professional presentation experience, plan to arrive at the venue 20–30 minutes before your session begins. 

This buffer allows time to navigate the space, get settled, and handle any last-minute adjustments. Be in your designated room at least 15 minutes prior to the start time, recognizing that another session may still be wrapping up before yours. Use this time to connect with your assigned volunteer to review any session logistics, support needs, or materials. It's also important to check in with the AV team or session moderator to confirm your technical setup, microphone preferences, and timing, helping to avoid any disruptions and ensuring your session runs efficiently from the start.

• Laptop with HDMI port or dongle, and charger
• Digital or printed notes/outline
• Printed copies of any handouts
• Backup of your slides (USB or cloud)

Yes, you’re welcome to bring and distribute printed materials. In each session, we expect the room to host up to 100 people. 

Packages may be delivered to the hotel within 48 hours (October 18, 2026)  of the date of the function. Packages or materials of excessive weight or value must be approved for receipt by the hotel prior to shipping. There will be a handling fee for all incoming and outgoing items processed by our Security Department. The hotel is not in any way liable for the contents of these packages.

Shipping and receiving hours are 7:00am - 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. 

The following information must be on all packages to ensure proper delivery:

The Omni Hotel current pricing structure is as follows:

The Omni at ASU has a drop off box where you can drop off small packages with prepaid labels. 

For larger unlabeled packages, the closest FedEx location is at 725 S Rural Rd #109, Tempe, AZ 85288.  The closest UPS location is at 1753 E. Broadway Rd, Ste 101, Tempe, AZ 85282.

If you need help on-site, you’ve got a few great resources! Your assigned volunteer or room facilitator is your go-to for session-specific support, they can help with timing, materials, or anything else related to your presentation. 

If you run into any technical issues, the AV technician in your room is there to assist. Finally, if you have general questions or need directions, the team at the registration desk is always available to help.

October in the Phoenix–Tempe area brings a perfect blend of pleasant weather and lively fall events. Mid-month temperatures typically range from highs around 88°F (31°C) to lows near 63°F (17°C). While afternoons can still feel warm, mornings and evenings are comfortably mild - ideal for hiking, dining outdoors, and exploring seasonal festivals.

As the seventh-largest city in the U.S., Phoenix offers a dynamic blend of big-city energy and natural beauty - especially in October. From cultural experiences and live music to outdoor adventures and seasonal festivals, the region comes alive with opportunities to explore. Whether you're into art, food, hiking, or just soaking up the sun, Phoenix and neighboring Tempe provide a wide variety of experiences for every interest.

Be sure to check out the many events happening throughout October in both Phoenix and Tempe.

Things to do in Phoenix: https://www.visitphoenix.com/

Things to do in Tempe: https://www.tempetourism.com/

• Stick to your time limit and include 5–10 minutes for Q&A.
• Start with a compelling story or question.
• Use clear visuals—avoid slide clutter.
• Engage your audience with questions or short discussions: polls, questions, or quick activities.
• Don’t read slides word-for-word—use them as talking prompts.
• Repeat questions from the audience before answering. Especially if we are recording the session. 
• Be authentic—your passion engages people!
• Always have a backup plan for internet issues or tech glitches.

• Use Arial font, minimum font size 16.
• Use short sentences and bulleted lists.
• Keep text visible—don’t obscure it with graphics.
• Slides must be in 16:9 aspect ratio.
• Caption all videos and avoid over-relying on video content.
• Add alt-text to images for screen reader compatibility.
• Use accessible tables and descriptive hyperlinks.
• Publish your slide deck to the web before the event for easy sharing.
  👉 How-to Video