NACA Hartford

Presenter: Jamar Root, Root of Jamar

Audience: Undergraduates

Session Description: 

Not knowing your passion or dream job isn’t a problem — it’s a starting point. In fact, the pressure to “have it all figured out” by 18, 19, 22 — or even 40 — is completely unrealistic. Most people are still discovering who they are, and that’s okay. This session is about embracing that truth and learning how to move forward with confidence anyway.

In this powerful, interactive workshop, speaker and author Jamar Root shares how he went from a confused college freshman to someone building a life around what they love — using a 3-step process built from real-life experience, not theory.

Through storytelling, reflection, and student-to-student connection, attendees will learn how to:

• Make bold, independent decisions based on who they really are
• Dream big enough that whatever they try reveals what truly drives them
• Constantly experiment with new opportunities and reflect to stay aligned

Students will leave with a deeper sense of self, a clearer vision of what their dream job might actually look like, and a list of real, actionable steps to start building a meaningful future — even if they’re still figuring it all out.

This isn’t a lecture — it’s a launchpad.

Presenters: Adam Tobey; Brett Pasternak; Karli Leinweaver of Concert Ideas, Inc.

Audience: Undergraduates

Session Description:

In this session, participants will gain essential skills and insights crucial to successful concert booking. They'll learn how to select the right artists and venues, navigate the entire booking process, manage logistics and technical needs, learn the importance of event marketing and promotion strategies, how to handle financial aspects effectively, and develop risk management and problem-solving abilities. This comprehensive learning experience equips attendees to excel in the dynamic world of live music events.

Presenters: Adam Tobey; Brett Pasternak; Karli Leinweaver of Concert Ideas, Inc.

Audience: Undergraduates

Session Description:

Join our educational session designed to guide you through every crucial step in planning a successful concert. This includes contracts, paperwork, marketing, production, advancing, and day of show 101. No detail is left uncovered. By the end of this session, you'll have a comprehensive roadmap for planning and executing a seamless concert.

Presenters: Stacey Sottung, OnCampusText; Allison Marconi, Forbes Marketing Group

Audience: Undergraduates

Description:

Marketing in 2025 is about understanding the fundamentals. Stop throwing content at the wall to see what sticks. Branding, print marketing, digital marketing and having a complete strategy are your avenues to success. Each pillar is just as important as the next one. This session will dig into all of the facets of a complete marketing plan so that attendees can improve their campus communication leading to higher attendance at events. This is the first of a four-part marketing track that you can attend this weekend!

Presenter: Stacey Sottung, OnCampusText; Allison Marconi, Forbes Marketing Group

Audience: Undergraduates

Description:

If someone walked up to a random student on your campus and asked them what your organization was all about, would they know? If they saw your logo, could they match the name of your organization to it? Does your organization have a mission or a vision statement? How creative is your swag? This session will dig into why branding is a fundamental part of a successful organization and show attendees how they can build the know, like and trust factor of their student body. This is the second of a four-part marketing track that you can attend this weekend!

Presenters: Stacey Sottung, OnCampusText; Allison Marconi, Forbes Marketing Group

Audience: Undergraduates

Description:

From email, to digital screens to text messaging, there is a lot to learn in the realm of digital marketing! This marketing pillar takes the most strategy and intention and the landscape is always changing! In this session we will examine recent data and discuss why it is important to have a complete plan when marketing your campus events. We will also check out the OnCampusText platform and discover why incorporating text message event reminders could be just what your organization is missing! This is the third of a four-part marketing track that you can attend this weekend!

Presenter: Stacey Sottung, OnCampusText; Allison Marconi, Forbes Marketing Group

Audience: Undergraduates

Description:

The final session of the marketing educational track will give students the opportunity to develop a complete marketing plan for an event. Using the tools learned in previous sessions they will be given a budget and a timeline and must collaborate with their peers to form a plan. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to share with each other successful marketing tactics on their campus with hopes that another campus could use that idea on their own campus in the future.