PLEASE NOTE: Planning for MECA 2021 has not yet begun. It remains possible that MECA 2021 could be postponed or delayed. As of right now, this website reflects the expectation that Grinnell College will host MECA 2021 on October 21st and 22nd, 2021.
MECA
M I D W E S T E L L U C I A N C L I E N T A S S O C I A T I O N
C O N F E R E N C E
Thursday and Friday | October 21/22, 2021 | Grinnell College
o v e r v i e w
MECA
2021
Welcome to MECA, a regional professional development conference for users of Ellucian's software solutions. MECA is a conference designed to help bring together professionals in higher education from across the Midwest to present, learn, and rise above the technology challenges of the future.
The conference will be held on the Grinnell College campus in Grinnell, Iowa on Thursday, October 21st and Friday, October 22nd. MECA 2019 featured 8 conference tracks with over 40 different sessions and provided attendees with learning and networking opportunities through engagement with peers who face the same daily challenges.
F E A T U R E D S P E A K E R S
Have a suggestion for a future speaker? Drop us a message through our contact box below and let us know!
S E S S I O N S I N F O
In 2021 MECA will offer 8 different conference tracks with over 40 sessions to choose from, providing a broad range of learning opportunities for all areas of colleges and universities using Ellucian’s software solutions.
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CIO Forum/IT Management - Colleague and Banner
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Enrollment - Colleague and Banner
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Financial Aid - Colleague
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Financials - Colleague
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Human Resources and Payroll - Colleague
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Registrar and Academic Records - Colleague
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Reporting and Data Governance - Colleague and Banner
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Technical Track - Colleague
For detailed descriptions of the sessions we will offer, take a look at our session grid.
C I O F O R U M
Join IT leaders from around the Midwest as they explore and discuss their vision for the future of their technology solutions. Attend, network and interact to get the information you need to plan your campus’ next technology innovations.
Join us to share, collaborate, explore and plan with other higher education professionals around the use of Ellucian's software products.
MECA allows sponsors to network with higher education professional from across the midwest. Join us and be a part of a great learning experience!
S P O N S O R
A T T E N D E E
Event Registration Information
MECA 2019 Schedule
Thursday, October 24th and Friday, October 25th
T H U R S D A Y
through 8:00am
7:00AM
Pre-Conference Workshop registration in HSSC Atrium
through 12:00pm
8:00AM
Pre-Conference Workshop on RESTful APIs
through 11:00am
8:00AM
Vendor registration in the HSSC Atrium
through 12:00pm
10:00AM
Attendee registration in the Harris center
through 1:45pm
12:15PM
Lunch, Welcome and Keynote Speaker in the Harris Center
2:00PM
through 2:50pm
Conference Sessions in HSSC
through 3:30pm
2:50PM
Break in the Vendor area in the HSSC Atrium
3:30PM
through 5:20pm
Conference Sessions in HSSC
through 7:00pm
5:30PM
Reception and Building Tour in the HSSC Atrium
F R I D A Y
7:00AM
Breakfast in the HSSC Atrium
through 8:00am
8:00AM
through 9:50am
Conference Sessions in HSSC
9:50AM
through 10:30am
Break in the Vendor area in the HSSC Atrium
10:30am
through 12:20pm
Conference Sessions in HSSC
Closing Remarks and Box Lunch Pick-up
12:30pm
through 1:00pm
Vendor Area Closes and Booths packed up
through 3:00pm
1:00pm
MECA 2019
S P O N S O R S
A big thank you to all of our sponsors. Without their support, involvement, and enthusiasm we could not accomplish our goal of helping you connect with the other institutions, professionals, products and practices you need to lead your institutions.
R E V I V I N G P A R T n e r
R E V I V I N G S P O N S O R S
C O N F E R E N C E A D V O C A T E S
MECA is the 2017 Ellucian Ellumination Community Award Winner
"Awarded to an individual who creates best practices by collaborating with peers across the higher education community to identify new solutions to common challenges." Presented to Kelley Bradder, CIO of Simpson College at eLive 2017 for reviving the Midwest regional conference (MR-DUG) as the MECA Conference.
Our
Speakers (2019)
Wayne Bovier
Founder and CEO of HIGHER DIGITAL
MECA 2019
Wayne Bovier has over 20 years of experience leading global product teams and organizations across the media, education, internet and telecommunications industries. Currently, Wayne is CEO of HIGHER DIGITAL, a digital transformation software and consulting company specializing in global higher education. Wayne also led digital transformation for the Laureate Education (LAUR) Global Products and Services division, served as Vice President, Product Development for Ellucian and was director of international product strategy at Blackboard. Hear Wayne share his insights on digital transformation and how they can help you #MECADifference at your institution.
Location
ABOUT GRINNELL COLLEGE:
FULL ADDRESS:
Founded in 1846, Grinnell College is a private, co-ed, residential liberal arts and sciences college located in Grinell, Iowa. The prairieland may seem like an unexpected setting for bringing the world together. But take a closer look. You'll uncover a unique mixture of environmental, economic and political ecosystems. In fact, one visit to our vibrant, progressive college town will call into question everything you think you know about Iowa.
Grinnell College
1115 8th Avenue
Grinnell, Iowa 50112
Map to Event Site
A I R P O R T
Des Moines International Airport is located 60 miles west of Grinnell College. The airport has nineteen connections to major airline hubs, giving customers a wide variety of flights and times to choose from. For more information regarding flights or about the airport, click here to visit the Des Moines International Airport website.
H O T E L s
The MECA Conference partners with hotels from the local area to ensure a comfortable stay for all conference attendees. This year, MECA has partnered with Grinnell Hotel, Country Inn and Suites, Comfort Inn and Suites, Quality Inn, and Best Western hotels.
T H I N G S T O D O
in grinnell
STATE park
Rock Creek
Rock Creek State Park is one of Iowa's most popular boating lakes. The lake has 15 miles of shoreline, great for fishing or an ideal spot for sunbathing and swimming at the beaches! The Park is home to picturesque picnic spots and provides beautiful campgrounds. For more information, visit the DNR site here .
NATURE prESERVE
Jacob Krumm
Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve is a 450-acre park and nature preserve. Within the preserve is an extensive trail system for hiking and cross-country skiing, as well as a shelter for both summer and winter use. On the rolling terrain of the preserve are to be found prairies, savanna, woodlands, a 25-acre lake, a marsh, ponds, and wildlife plantings. There are 7 miles of hiking trails within the preserve, that offer excellent viewing of a variety of native wildlife species and habitats.
Grinnell College
Museum of art
Presenting exhibitions of regional, national, and international art year-round, the Grinnell College Musuem of Art is the nucleus of Grinnell’s Bucksbaum Center for the Arts. The Grinnell College Museum of Art is free and open to the public. The Grinnell College Museum of Art is free and open to the public. The museum at Sixth Avenue and Park Street is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
in des moines
Science Center
Des Moines
Experience science in new and creative ways at the Science Center of Iowa. Located in the heart of Downtown Des Moines. Pick and choose from many different themed exhibit spaces to visit, go watch a live program, or pay a visit to the domed digital planetarium. Make sure to stop by The Food Chain Cafe for lunch or snacks to refuel in between all your adventures. For more information about what you can do at SCI, visit their site by clicking here.
Sculpture park
Papajohn's
A small oasis in the middle of Downtown Des Moines, Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 22 different artists. The parks prime location combined with the beautiful structures makes it a park unlike any other. Bring your own food and a blanket to picnic under the arbor of art or choose from one of the many unique restaurants such as Malo, Fong’s Pizza, Magnolia Wine Kitchen, and many more. For more information about the Park, click here.
Sculpture park
Papajohn's
A small oasis in the middle of Downtown Des Moines, Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 22 different artists. The parks prime location combined with the beautiful structures makes it a park unlike any other. Bring your own food and a blanket to picnic under the arbor of art or choose from one of the many unique restaurants such as Malo, Fong’s Pizza, Magnolia Wine Kitchen, and many more. For more information about the Park, click here.
Zoo
Blank Park
Lions, panda, monkeys, oh my! Experience the wild side of Iowa by visiting the Blank Park Zoo. The zoo can be found in the south side of Des Moines. From Tigers to Tortoises, the zoo provides visitors with 25-acres of an animal kingdom to explore. Make sure to stop by to visit the nine new babies the zoo has had this past year. For more information about the zoo and thier animal friends, visit their site by clicking here.
preforming arts
Temple of
Stop by to see a splendid show in the elegantly designed Temple of Preforming Arts. In order to honor it’s historical significance, the Temple’s beautiful interior architecture and charming exterior design have been renovated to mimic that of its original design from it’s creation in 1913. The temple’s theater room is host to a wide range of musical and theatrical performances throughout the year. For more information about the Temple of Preforming Arts click here or click here to find out more about the shows you can go see.
Center
Botanical
Leave the city behind and immerse yourself in an sanctuary of brightly colored flowers and tropical trees. The Botanical Center has over 1,200 different flora from various parts of the world. The center is desiged so visitors can explore, learn and celebrate the grandeur of the world of plants. Take a break and enjoy the tropical and temperate gardens that make the Botanical Center a unique Des Moines Experience. For more information about the Center, click here.
Grinnell
HOTEL GRINNELL
Located in the heart of Grinnell, this hotel is a brief 10-minute walk to campus. This modern hotel is a remodeled old school building, providing visitors with a truly unique stay.
Rooms Available: TBD closer to event
Price: TBD closer to event
For more information or to book a room, click HERE to visit their site.
Contact
Have any questions or concerns regarding the conference, vendor information/registration, or anything else?
Contact us by filling out the form to the right with your name and email, as well as a short message and we will be happy to answer any and all questions!