Technology
EVENTS.COM TO GO PUBLIC ON NYSE THROUGH BUSINESS COMBINATION WITH CONCORD ACQUISITION CORP II
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2 years agoon
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Highlights
Transaction Valuation: The transaction values Events.com at a pre-money equity value of $314 million (excluding the impact of certain convertible securities and earn out consideration).Growth and Innovation: Transaction proceeds are expected to further fuel Events.com’s strategic growth plan focused on increasing revenue streams, expanding product offerings, advancing AI-driven personalization initiatives, pursuing strategic acquisitions, and launching marketing campaigns.Industry-Leading Platform: Events.com is an AI-driven, cloud-based platform that improves event management and is developing advanced event discovery capabilities, providing a modular, full life-cycle solution for creators and consumers alike. Events.com leverages technology to transform how events are organized and experienced. The platform provides a one-stop solution for event organizers to power their marketing, promotion, sponsorship management, registration, ticketing, and performance analytics. By helping events do business better, Events.com empowers organizers to make driving data-driven decisions, optimize revenue, and simplify their operations. For event goers, harnessing the power of AI and machine learning, Events.com is positioned to provide seamless discovery and participation with its forthcoming features.Strategic Leadership: Events.com Co-founders Mitch Thrower and Stephen Partridge are expected to continue as CEO and President/COO, respectively, with Bob Bellack, co-founder of Cars.com and Apartments.com, joining as CRO.Share Subscription Facility: Events.com previously announced that it has secured a capital commitment of $100 million in the form of a Share Subscription Facility from Gem Global Yield LLC SCS.
LA JOLLA, Calif. and NEW YORK, Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Events.com (the “Company”), an industry-leading event management platform, and Concord Acquisition Corp II (“Concord“) (NYSE American: CNDA), a special purpose acquisition company affiliated with investment firm Atlas Merchant Capital, LLC, have entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”). The proposed business combination (the “Proposed Business Combination”) is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and stockholder approvals. The combined public company (“PubCo”) is expected to be named “Events.com” and to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol “RSVP,” subject to the approval of its listing application.
Through its SaaS-based software platform, Events.com helps large, medium, and small event creators connect with, engage with, and monetize their communities efficiently and seamlessly. By helping people create, promote, discover, and make the most of every event, Events.com’s end-to-end event management solutions provide organizers access to a suite of products for every step of the event life cycle, allowing organizers to save time and money and generate more revenue.
Events.com offers sponsorship and promotional tools, event management software, dynamic event calendars, digital marketing services, on-site check-in, and on-site sales to make the event organizing process a smooth experience from start to finish. The platform’s capabilities are designed to optimize operational efficiencies and maximize event profitability.
Events.com’s Discover technology, planned to launch out of stealth mode in 2025, is designed to empower users to easily discover, interact, and transact with the events they love, making it an essential resource for organizers and consumers. This comprehensive approach is intended to simplify the event planning process while driving significant value, positioning Events.com as a pivotal player in the industry.
Mitch Thrower, CEO of Events.com, commented: “Our combination with Concord will enhance our capabilities to capitalize on the $936 billion event sector and benefit from ongoing tectonic shifts in the industry. We’re here to help people experience the most meaningful moments of their lives while generating high-margin, recurring revenue and gathering actionable data at scale. We have several significant initiatives on the horizon, and we are truly looking forward to working with Jeff Tuder and Bob Diamond.”
Stephen Partridge, President/COO of Events.com, commented: “As we step into this next phase of our growth, I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished over the past few years in building a strong foundation. With a resilient culture, scalable operations, and an innovative product tailored to the needs of event-creators, Events.com is ready for the next big leap. Our partnership with the Concord team will help us share our product vision with the world and pave the way for the launch of our event-goer platform in 2025.”
Jeff Tuder, CEO of Concord, added: “We are thrilled to announce our business combination with Events.com. Mitch and Stephen have built a compelling offering that is truly differentiated from its competitors. We believe Events.com has tremendous potential. At Concord, we are committed to partnering with experienced management teams operating companies with leading positions in huge markets, and Events.com was a perfect fit for us.”
Bob Diamond, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Merchant Capital and Chairman of Concord, added: “We aim to partner with outstanding and proven management teams and operating companies that are pioneering new technologies and leading the way in their market sectors; for these reasons and many others, Events.com was a perfect fit for us. We look forward to working with Mitch, Stephen and the Events.com team as they move into their next phase of expansion and growth.”
Proposed Business Combination Overview
The Proposed Business Combination implies a pro forma enterprise value of $399 million, assuming a $434 million equity value at closing, based on an estimated 43.4 million shares outstanding, and $35 million of net cash (excluding the impact of certain convertible securities and earn out consideration). The boards of directors of CNDA and Events.com have approved the proposed transaction, subject to, among other things, the approvals by stockholders of CNDA and Events.com and satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions outlined in the Merger Agreement.
Events.com previously announced that it has secured a capital commitment of $100 million in the form of a Share Subscription Facility from Gem Global Yield LLC SCS. This is expected to accelerate the Company’s growth strategy via acquisitions, partnerships, and organic initiatives. Under this tailored agreement, Events.com will have the ability to draw up to $100 million following an equity exchange listing, subject to certain conditions and limitations.
Additionally, net proceeds from the transaction are expected to enable Events.com to further expand the internal development of new product offerings, accelerate strategic acquisitions and expedite final-stage acquisition commitments, launch the Events.com Discover platform and expand the continued development of Events.com’s AI and ML capabilities that enable the Company to customize the user experience. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Events.com’s existing shareholders will continue to own the majority of the post-combination company upon consummation of the Proposed Business Combination.
Additional information about the Proposed Business Combination, including a copy of the Merger Agreement, will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by CNDA with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and available at www.sec.gov.
Advisors
Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC, is serving as the exclusive financial advisor and lead capital markets advisor to CNDA. Greenberg Traurig, LLP is serving as legal counsel to CNDA, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Weintraub Law Group PC are serving as legal counsel to Events.com. Gateway Group serves as investor relations and public relations advisors for the transaction.
About Events.com
Events.com powers a two-sided marketplace and platform that helps passionate individuals create, promote, discover, and enjoy events. Events.com’s platform helps event organizers seamlessly execute their events and allows event goers to discover, interact, and transact with the events they love. The Company offers a robust ecosystem that supports millions of event creators worldwide, catering to various interests. From the prestigious All-In Summit, the world’s leading podcast for business, technology, and investing, to the vibrant 100,000-person Renaissance Festival in Florida, the exclusive Club Getaway featured on Bravo, the event calendar on NewYork.com, the transformative Archangel Summit, and movie experiences at the iconic Mayfair Theatre in Ottawa—Events.com technology is the driving force behind unforgettable moments worldwide.
For additional information, please visit events.com
Video: The most meaningful moments in our lives, powered by Events.com
About Concord Acquisition Corp II (CNDA)
Concord Acquisition Corp II is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses in the financial services or financial technology industries. It is sponsored by Concord Sponsor Group II LLC, an entity affiliated with Atlas Merchant Capital LLC, an investment firm that offers debt and equity investment strategies, seeking long-term value through differentiated expertise in financial services and credit markets.
For additional information, please visit cnda.concordacquisitioncorp.com.
About Atlas Merchant Capital
Atlas Merchant Capital LLC, founded in 2013 by Bob Diamond and David Schamis, is an alternative asset management company with approximately $1.3 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2022, and over $3 billion in capital raised through its fund vehicles and co-investments. Atlas invests globally in compelling opportunities, particularly within the financial services sector, through a diverse range of funds, including private equity, credit opportunities, and SPAC-focused public equity funds. The firm’s investment strategy is rooted in a long-term, partnership-based approach, leveraging its deep operating and technical expertise. Atlas’s executive team brings decades of experience from top-tier global financial institutions, including Barclays Capital, Cerberus Capital Management, Citigroup, J.C. Flowers & Co, and Fortress Investment Group.
For additional information, please visit https://www.atlasmerchantcapital.com.
Art and Logos
You may download the logos from Events.com here.
You may download the logos from Concord and Atlas here.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are also forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “target,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “preliminary,” or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, CNDA’s, Events.com’s, or their respective management teams’ expectations concerning the outlook for their or Events.com’s business, productivity, plans, and goals for future operational improvements and capital investments, operational performance, future market conditions, or economic performance and developments in the capital and credit markets and expected future financial performance, including expected net proceeds, expected additional funding, the percentage of redemptions of CNDA’s public stockholders, growth prospects and outlook of Events.com’s operations, individually or in the aggregate, including the achievement of project milestones, commencement and completion of commercial operations of certain of Events.com’s projects, as well as any information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of Events.com. Forward-looking statements also include statements regarding the expected benefits of the Proposed Business Combination. The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the respective management teams of Events.com and CNDA, as applicable, and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstance and their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (i) the risk that the Proposed Business Combination may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of CNDA’s securities; (ii) the risk that the Proposed Business Combination may not be completed by CNDA’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by CNDA; (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Business Combination, including the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the stockholders of CNDA and Events.com and the receipt of certain regulatory approvals; (iv) market risks; (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Proposed Business Combination on Events.com’s business relationships, performance, and business generally; (vii) risks that the Proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans of Events.com and potential difficulties in its employee retention as a result of the Proposed Business Combination; (viii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Events.com or CNDA related to the Merger Agreement or the Proposed Business Combination; (ix) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Business Combination; (x) the inability to maintain the listing of CNDA’s securities or to meet listing requirements and maintain the listing of PubCo’s securities on the NYSE American; (xi) the risk that the price of PubCo’s securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including changes in the highly competitive industries in which Events.com plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws, regulations, technologies, natural disasters or health epidemics/pandemics, national security tensions, and macro-economic and social environments affecting its business, and changes in the combined capital structure; (xii) the inability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the Proposed Business Combination, identify and realize additional opportunities, and manage its growth and expanding operations; (xiii) the risk that Events.com may not be able to successfully develop its assets, including expanding the product offerings and implementing the acquisition plan (xiv) the risk that Events.com will be unable to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which many not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (xv) political and social risks of operating in the U.S. and other countries; (xvi) the operational hazards and risks that Events.com faces; and (xvii) the risk that additional financing in connection with the Proposed Business Combination may not be raised on favorable terms. The foregoing list is not exhaustive, and there may be additional risks that neither CNDA nor Events.com presently knows or that CNDA and Events.com currently believe are immaterial. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors, any other factors discussed in this press release and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of CNDA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December, 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on March 1, 2024, the risks to be described in the registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed by CNDA with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Business Combination (the “Registration Statement”), which will include a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and those discussed and identified in filings made with the SEC by CNDA and PubCo from time to time. Events.com and CNDA caution you against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect current beliefs and are based on information currently available as of the date a forward-looking statement is made. Forward-looking statements set forth in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. None of Events.com, CNDA, or PubCo undertakes any obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs. In the event that any forward-looking statement is updated, no inference should be made that Events.com, CNDA, or PubCo will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statements. Any corrections or revisions and other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, including discussions of significant risk factors, may appear, up to the consummation of the Proposed Business Combination, in CNDA’s or PubCo’s public filings with the SEC, which are or will be (as appropriate) accessible at www.sec.gov, and which you are advised to review carefully.
Important Information for Investors and Shareholders
In connection with the Proposed Business Combination, CNDA intends to file with the SEC the Registration Statement, which will include a prospectus with respect to PubCo’s securities to be issued in connection with the Proposed Business Combination and a proxy statement to be distributed to holders of CNDA’s common stock in connection with CNDA’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by CNDA’s stockholders with respect to the Proposed Business Combination and other matters to be described in the Registration Statement (the “Proxy Statement”). After the SEC declares the Registration Statement effective, CNDA plans to file the definitive Proxy Statement with the SEC and to mail copies to stockholders of CNDA as of a record date to be established for voting on the Proposed Business Combination. This press release does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the Proposed Business Combination and is not a substitute for the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement or for any other document that PubCo or CNDA may file with the SEC. Before making any investment or voting decision, investors and security holders of CNDA and Events.com are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, and any amendments or supplements thereto, as well as all other relevant materials filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Business Combination as they become available because they will contain important information about, Events.com, CNDA, PubCo and the Proposed Business Combination.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by PubCo and CNDA through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by PubCo and CNDA may be obtained free of charge from CNDA’s website at cnda.concordacquisitioncorp.com or by directing a request to Jeff Tuder, Chief Executive Office, 477 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10022; Tel: (212) 883-4330. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.
Participants in the Solicitation
Events.com, CNDA, PubCo and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be participants in the solicitations of proxies from CNDA’s stockholders in connection with the Proposed Business Combination. For more information about the names, affiliations and interests of CNDA’s directors and executive officers, please refer to CNDA’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2024, and Registration Statement, Proxy Statement and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Business Combination when they become available. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, which may, in some cases, be different than those of CNDA’s stockholders generally, will be included in the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, when they become available. Stockholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement carefully, when they become available, before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above.
No Offer or Solicitation
This document shall not constitute a “solicitation” as defined in Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, the solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation to purchase, any securities, or a solicitation of any vote, consent or approval, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale may be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction. No offering of securities in the Proposed Business Combination shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.
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SOURCE Events.com/Gateway Group
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Intesa Communications Group Named ‘Customers First’ Winner in San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce 2026 Small Business Awards
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July 21, 2026By
The award-winning, women-owned San Diego public relations and government affairs firm was recognized for exceptional client service that has fueled 14 years of growth
SAN DIEGO, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Intesa Communications Group, a leading San Diego public relations and government affairs firm, has been named the “Customers First” winner in the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Small Business Awards. Announced July 9 at the Chamber’s annual Small Business Awards event, the recognition honors the small business whose commitment to customer service most clearly sets it apart from the competition.
Founded in 2012, the certified women-owned San Diego firm has grown from a boutique agency into one of the region’s leading public relations and government affairs firms. Intesa has doubled its team over the past two years, sustained three consecutive years of double-digit revenue growth and expanded its client portfolio by 26% last year. Intesa provides public relations, strategic communications, and government affairs services for a wide range of organizations, including San Diego State University, SeaWorld San Diego, Expedia Group, H.G. Fenton Company, San Diego Foundation, San Diego Workforce Partnership, and SBCS.
“This award belongs to every member of our team and to the clients who trust us with their most valuable asset: their reputation,” said Margie Newman Tsay, founding partner of Intesa Communications Group. “Our clients stay with us for years because we show up prepared, fully invested and ready for the moments that matter most. Being recognized for putting customers first is the highest compliment our business community can pay us.”
Intesa’s client-first approach has produced measurable results across public relations and government affairs efforts throughout the region. For example, in its first month working with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, the firm helped reimagine the organization’s summer food drive messaging, generating more than 15 million impressions and helping deliver 489,026 pounds of food and $344,505 in donations — the equivalent of more than one million meals and a 175% increase from the previous year. Similarly, Logan Heights Community Development Corporation credits the firm with an 81:1 return on investment after Intesa parachuted in to help the nonprofit promote the California Mortgage Relief Program.
“Small businesses are the heart of our economy: fueling innovation, creating jobs and defining the character of communities across the San Diego region,” said Chris Cate, president and CEO of the Chamber. “We celebrate the resilience, ingenuity and community impact of our small business leaders. They are the very spirit behind our purpose to champion business and empower leaders.”
The Chamber award is as much a reflection of Intesa’s clients as it is the firm itself. The opportunity to partner with organizations doing meaningful work across the region is what makes recognition like this possible. True to form, the Intesa team plans to mark the win by thanking the clients behind the work.
“We call ourselves dot connectors, and this award is what that looks like in practice,” said Maddy Kilkenny, partner at Intesa Communications Group, who leads the firm’s government affairs practice. “Whether our team of 10 people is helping a client navigate a policy decision at City Hall or a story on the front page of the newspaper, we aim to leave them stronger and more confident than before. Hearing our clients say we deliver on that is the best win of all.”
According to the Chamber’s award requirements, businesses with 100 or fewer employees were eligible for nomination. They were voted on by a panel of chamber members, who reviewed the nominations and selected the winners of all four categories.
The recognition adds to more than 60 awards Intesa has earned for excellence in public relations, strategic communications, and public affairs, including honors from PR News, the Public Relations Society of America, PR Daily, the International Association of Business Communicators, the San Diego Business Journal (SDBJ), MARCOM, and the American Marketing Association, among others. It also comes on the heels of two Intesa team members, Emily Alvarenga and Margaret Lutz Chantung, recently receiving SDBJ’s “40 Under 40” and “Indispensable” awards, respectively.
For more information about Intesa Communications Group, visit www.intesacom.com.
About Intesa Communications Group
Intesa Communications Group is a certified women-owned San Diego public relations and government affairs firm that helps leaders communicate and advocate with confidence. Since 2012, Intesa has partnered with the region’s trusted leaders and organizations, providing strategic communications and public affairs counsel on high-stakes issues at the intersection of reputation, policy and public perception. The firm’s work has earned more than 60 industry awards across 53 recognized client campaigns, including the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce “Customers First” 2026 award. Learn more at www.intesacom.com.
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SOURCE Intesa Communications Group
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The Inner Circle acknowledges Shankari Thiagarajan as Pinnacle Professional of The Year
Published
37 minutes agoon
July 21, 2026By
HOUSTON, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Shankari Thiagarajan is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional of The Year for her contributions to Information Technology and Agile Delivery.
Shankari Thiagarajan has established a distinguished career in information technology project and program management, recognized for her expertise in agile delivery, digital transformation, and cross functional leadership across multiple industries. Currently serving as project manager and scrum master at Astellas Pharma Inc., she oversees agile delivery initiatives supporting global life science programs.
With more than 15 years of experience spanning technology and pharmaceutical sectors, Ms. Thiagarajan has developed a reputation for leading complex implementations and driving operational efficiency. Her expertise includes agile methodologies, project and delivery management, product ownership, healthcare IT, telecom and network optimization, financial services modernization, retail technology upgrades, and GIS and digital mapping solutions.
Ms. Thiagarajan earned a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership from Campbellsville University, a Master of Science in Information Systems from Virginia Tech, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University College of Engineering Hyderabad.
Throughout her career, she has contributed to major organizations across a wide range of industries. Her accomplishments include leading agile transformations at Cigna, overseeing retail technology upgrades at Walmart, managing large scale telecom transformation initiatives at T Mobile and Verizon, and modernizing financial platforms at Security Finance. She also contributed to the early development of Google Maps during her tenure at Google India, advancing to team lead within a year.
In addition to her corporate achievements, Ms. Thiagarajan is the creator of the YouTube channel My Experiments with Life – #Positivity #Learning, launched in 2023. Through this platform, she shares motivational content and insights focused on personal growth, technology, spirituality, and lifelong learning.
Her professional accomplishments have been recognized through honors including Marquis Who’s Who 2026, a featured podcast interview with Jim Masters on Close Up TV hosted across Apple Radio, Spotify, and iHeart., recognition in The National Law Review & EIN Presswire, and a certificate of appreciation from Virginia Tech for academic excellence and community involvement.
Outside of her professional work, Ms. Thiagarajan enjoys creating motivational YouTube content, exploring technology and spirituality, listening to contemporary music, and pursuing philanthropic and educational interests. She credits her strong work ethic and determination to the example set by her parents.
Looking ahead, she plans to continue advancing her leadership capabilities and pursue executive level opportunities that allow her to make significant contributions within the information technology sector.
Guided by a philosophy rooted in courage, persistence, and continuous learning, Ms. Thiagarajan remains committed to professional growth while inspiring others to pursue excellence and self-improvement.
Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, editorialteam@continentalwhoswho.com
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SOURCE The Inner Circle
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University of Phoenix Leaders Present at Building Blackboard Together 2026
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37 minutes agoon
July 21, 2026By
Presentations explored learning technology, accessibility and online pedagogy as higher education adapts to an AI-enabled future
PHOENIX, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Phoenix leaders shared insights on artificial intelligence, accessibility, online learning and student support at Building Blackboard Together 2026, Blackboard’s flagship user conference, held July 13-15 in Dallas, Texas. The conference brought together educators, institutional leaders and industry experts to explore innovations, technologies and emerging practices shaping the future of teaching and learning.
Representing University of Phoenix were Marc Booker, Ph.D., vice provost of strategy; Kelly Hermann, vice president of Accessibility and Student Affairs; and Erin Amsden, group product manager. Through presentations and panel discussions, the leaders shared perspectives on responsible AI adoption, accessibility leadership, student engagement and the evolving role of learning technologies in supporting institutional goals and student success.
“Building Blackboard Together provides an opportunity to engage with peers across higher education who are navigating many of the same opportunities and challenges around technology, accessibility and learning mobility,” said Dr. Booker. “These conversations help advance practical approaches for supporting learners while thoughtfully integrating innovation into the educational experience.”
During the conference, University of Phoenix was also recognized with the 2026 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Ethical AI Leadership, which honors institutions advancing responsible, transparent and inclusive approaches to artificial intelligence that promote trust and equitable outcomes for learners and educators. The recognition follows the University’s ongoing efforts to support AI literacy, responsible use and AI-enabled learning experiences.
Exploring the Expanding Role of the Learning Management System
As part of the Strategic Leadership Summit, Booker served as a panelist for “The LMS as Mission-Critical: Connecting Learning, Experience & Evidence.” The session examined how learning management systems are evolving beyond course management to support learning, engagement and institutional insight across the student lifecycle.
Panelists discussed how institutions are leveraging learning technologies alongside student information systems to support teaching and learning, advising, co-curricular engagement and data-informed decision-making while addressing increasing expectations surrounding artificial intelligence, student success and accountability.
Sharing Lessons from AI-Powered Student Support
Booker also presented “Scaling AI-Powered Support Across the Student Experience at University of Phoenix,” a session focused on the University’s process for expanding its AI support assistant across the online classroom environment, moving from proof of concept to full-scale deployment over a six-month period.
In addition, Booker participated in “Online Pedagogy to Drive Institutional Growth: Best Practices and Success Stories,” a panel discussion exploring how institutions are designing engaging online learning experiences and leveraging Blackboard technologies to support quality course delivery and student engagement.
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Hermann joined the session “Communicating Up: Turning Accessibility Work into Leadership-Ready Stories.” The presentation focused on strategies for translating accessibility initiatives into narratives, evidence and visualizations that resonate with institutional leaders.
The discussion explored ways to connect accessibility efforts to broader institutional priorities, demonstrate impact through data and support informed decision-making that advances accessibility and learner success.
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Amsden served as a panelist for “Agentic AI in Pedagogy: Threats and Opportunities.” The session addressed the growing influence of agentic AI and its implications for academic integrity, assessment design and learner engagement.
Panelists explored how technology, pedagogy and security practices can work together to promote authentic student work while helping institutions balance innovation with responsible AI implementation.
Contributing to the Future of Teaching and Learning
Amsden, Booker and Hermann are key members of University of Phoenix’s dynamic leadership team, frequently invited to share their expertise at prestigious national conferences and events. In 2026, University leaders will participate in the ASU + GSV Summit, 1EdTech Learning Impact Conference, SXSW EDU Conference, and PESC Data Summit. These engagements underscore the University’s commitment to innovation and thought leadership in higher education, providing valuable insights and fostering collaborations that drive the future of learning.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.
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SOURCE University of Phoenix
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