Shaping Communications for Every Challenge.
CommsNext@Tech is Georgia Tech’s first campus-wide communications conference, designed to bring together storytellers, strategists, creatives, marketers, and communicators from across the Institute. The event will take place on Friday, January 23, 2026, on the Georgia Tech campus at the John Lewis Student Center and Exhibition Hall.
The conference will feature engaging conversations with industry leaders, followed by a dynamic series of Buzz Sessions—interactive breakout workshops led by campus experts in writing, video, SEO and GEO, media relations, email marketing, interviewing, AI collaboration, and more.
Attendance is free for all Georgia Tech employees; registration is required due to limited space.
The day will begin with check-in and a networking breakfast outside the Ehmer Theatre in the Student Center and conclude with a panel of photographers and filmmakers exploring what makes compelling visual storytelling.
Be Part of What’s Next
CommsNext, Check-In and Breakfast
CommsNext@Tech registrants are invited to check in outside the Ehmer Theatre inside the John Lewis Student Center starting at 8:15 a.m., followed by a networking breakfast.
Ehmer Theatre (Atlantic)
Opening Experts Panel
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Morning Track Schedule
9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. in the Exhibition Hall
The CommsNext @ Tech workshop includes three tracks, each offering two Buzz Sessions. To complete a track topic, attendees should plan to attend both the morning and midday sessions.
Track One: Marketing Tools
Buzz Session: SEO on a Budget and Preparing for the GEO Future.
Presented by: Megan McRainey, Bryant Wine and Sem Rush
Location: Exhibition Hall, Room: TBD
Track Two: Storytelling and Interviewing
Buzz Session: Story CPR: Breathing Life into Your Writing
Presented by Michelle Azriel and Julian Hills
Location: Exhibition Hall, Room: TBD
Track Three: Media Insights
Buss Sessions: From Concept to Connection: Creating Video Stories That Move People
Presented By: Blair Meeks and Angela Barajas Prendiville
Location: Exhibition Hall, Room: TBD
Midday Track Schedule
10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the Exhibition Hall
The CommsNext @ Tech workshop includes three tracks, each offering two Buzz Sessions. To complete a track topic, attendees should plan to attend both the morning and midday sessions.
Track One: Marketing Tools
Buzz Session: Inbox Impact: Email Marketing Best Practices That Drive Engagement and Results
Presented By: Shannon Helton-Amos, Tammy Parrett and Lindsey Vaughn
Location: Exhibition Hall, Room: TBD
Track Two: Storytelling and Interviewing
Buzz Session: From Prep to Publish: How Writers, Video, Producers, and AI Shape Stronger Interviews
Presented By: Tess Malone, Chandler Hobbs, Josh Stewart, Christopher McKenney and Melissa Alonso
Location: Exhibition Hall, Room: TBD
Track Three: Media Insights
Buzz Session: Ad Buying
Presented By: TBD
Location: Exhibition Hall, Room: TBD
Meet an Expert in the Field
Networking Lunch
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Afternoon Track Schedule: Photography and Video Tools
1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Join us back in the Exhibition Hall for one of two bonus tracks for the Photographers or Videographers on your teams! Both beginner and advanced class options will be available.
Bonus Track: Beginner Photo and Video
Photography Made Easy
Presented By: Chandler Hobbs
Location: Exhibition Hall, Room: TBD
Bonus Track: Advanced Photo and Video
How to Make Quality Video Content Without a Huge Budget
Presented By: Brice Zimmerman and Jason Maderer
Location: Exhibition Hall, Room: TBD