Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
Ellucian Live 2027 is a premier conference for higher education leaders, taking place from April 4 to 7 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This event will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities designed to unlock new possibilities for students and address current challenges in the education sector.
Attendees will connect with peers and industry experts to explore the latest technology solutions and best practices. Ellucian Live - Datatel Users' Group takes place in.
TL;DR
- 1Scale and Focus: This event gathers thousands of higher education leaders to explore technology solutions and industry insights.
- 2Organiser: Hosted by Ellucian Company LLC, the event focuses on innovation in higher education.
- 3Buyer Authority: Attendees include higher education leaders and innovators from around the globe.
- 4Entry: Registration is available online with various pricing options based on the registration period.
Why visit
Attending Ellucian Live 2027 provides a unique opportunity to network with peers, gain insights into the latest technology solutions, and participate in engaging sessions tailored for higher education professionals. The event features dedicated networking breaks and receptions, allowing attendees to build valuable connections.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at Ellucian Live 2027 offers companies the chance to showcase their solutions to a targeted audience of higher education leaders. Exhibitors can engage directly with decision-makers, gain visibility, and demonstrate their products in a dynamic environment focused on innovation and collaboration.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Higher education administrators seeking innovative solutions
IT professionals in the education sector
Decision-makers from colleges and universities
Educational consultants and advisors
Leaders in student services and success initiatives
Technology vendors and service providers
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Technology providers specializing in higher education solutions
Consulting firms focused on educational technology
Companies offering student success tools and services
Vendors of data management and analytics solutions
Providers of cloud-based educational platforms
Organizations supporting institutional advancement and fundraising
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Student information systems and management solutions
Learning management systems and educational software
Data analytics and reporting tools for education
Cloud services tailored for higher education
Consulting services for institutional improvement
Innovative technology solutions for student engagement
Location & Facilities
Venue
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, LA, United States
Facilities
Parking
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
General admission
Individual ticket during Super Early Bird registration
1375General admission
Group rate for 10+ attendees during Super Early Bird registration
1130General admission
Single-Day Pass
700
Who runs the show
Organisers
Ellucian Company LLC
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
New Orleans, LA, United States
Why it matters
On 2027-04-04 to 2027-04-07, Ellucian Live - Datatel Users' Group in New Orleans, LA covering Student information systems and management solutions, Learning management systems and educational software, Data analyti gives technology buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Primary gateway and the only airport with a short direct transfer to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center district. Single terminal at 1 Terminal Dr, Kenner, LA, with separate pickup zones for taxis, rideshare and hotel shuttles - confirm your mode's zone on arrival. Google Maps route capture shows 36 min / 14.4 miles via I-10 E
about 14.4 miles (about 23 km) to the convention center area via I-10 E
to venue
about 36 minutes by car
by car
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport
Secondary option only when fares are materially lower: the road transfer to New Orleans is about 1 hr 25 min, so add a rental car or long-distance transfer cost to any saving. Travel-time listing captured from Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport to New Orleans
roughly 80 miles (about 130 km) by road to New Orleans
to venue
about 1 hr 25 min by car to New Orleans
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Q&C Hotel and Bar New Orleans, Autograph Collection
upscale
Downtown / French Quarter edge, New Orleans4.3
USD 150–200 / night
Four-star, pet-friendly with on-site parking, walking distance to the CBD and a short rideshare to Convention Center Boulevard. Capture-time Google Hotels quote for the 4-7 April 2027 window converted to roughly USD 150 per stay; treat the nightly band as an estimate and re-check live rates.
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown/French Quarter Area
midscale
Downtown / French Quarter Area, New Orleans4.3
USD 145–190 / night
Three-star with parking and a fitness center; a practical base for registrars and IT staff who want to walk to the CBD each morning. Capture-time quote converted to roughly USD 145 per stay for the April 2027 window - estimate only.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott New Orleans Downtown/Canal Street
midscale
Downtown / Canal Street, New Orleans4.2
USD 150–200 / night
Extended-stay style rooms with kitchenettes, useful for teams staying through a multi-day conference; pet-friendly with parking. Capture-time quote converted to roughly USD 155 per stay for 4-7 April 2027; nightly band is an estimate.
Holiday Inn Express New Orleans Dwtn - Fr Qtr Area by IHG
economy
Downtown / French Quarter Area, New Orleans4.1
USD 145–185 / night
Three-star with free breakfast and an outdoor pool; the capture notes paid parking at about USD 38.23 per night, worth adding to the budget if you drive in. Capture-time room quote converted to roughly USD 150 per stay for April 2027 - confirm live.
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
midscale
French Quarter, New Orleans4.0
USD 140–190 / night
Four-star French Quarter address with free Wi-Fi, parking, indoor pool and fitness center; capture showed a 22 percent below-usual deal for the April 2027 window, which is exactly the kind of rate that moves once the conference block fills.
City Express by Marriott New Orleans I-10
economy
I-10 corridor, New Orleans3.5
USD 95–130 / night
Cheapest captured option: limited-service, pool, free parking, but a drive or rideshare rather than a walk to the convention center - budget the transfer when comparing totals. Capture-time quote converted to roughly USD 100 per stay for 4-7 April 2027; estimate only.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
taxi
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forLouis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
About 14.4 miles and roughly 36 minutes via I-10 E on the captured route. Taxis load in the designated airport zone; add a tip and a small luggage charge in some cases. Labeled estimate, not a quoted fare.
rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forMSY airport to CBD and Warehouse District hotels
Rideshare pickup at MSY is in an assigned zone away from the taxi rank - follow signs after baggage claim. Surge is likely on the first conference morning and after the closing session; compare with the taxi flat rate before ordering. Labeled estimate, confirm in-app.
public bus (RTA E2 Airport route)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forMSY airport to downtown New Orleans
Google Maps transit capture shows the E2 route at about 42 minutes for the airport-to-city trip. Cheapest option by far, but luggage space is limited and frequency drops outside peak hours - a realistic choice only for light packers arriving in daylight.
public bus (RTA 202 route)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forMSY airport to central New Orleans
Transit capture shows the 202 route at about 28 minutes for the airport-to-city leg - the faster of the two captured bus options, with the same luggage constraints.
shared airport shuttle
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forMSY airport to downtown and French Quarter hotels
Hotel shuttle desks are inside the terminal; vehicles make multiple stops so allow extra time on arrival day. Sensible middle option if your hotel is not on a direct bus line. Labeled estimate, confirm at the desk.
streetcar (RTA Canal Street line)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forCanal Street and French Quarter edge to the CBD / convention center district
Useful for hotel-to-venue hops along Canal Street and for evening trips into the Quarter; slower than walking over short distances but cheap and frequent. Exact-change or app payment applies.
walking
Estimated costUSD 0 (no fare)
Best forCBD, Warehouse District and French Quarter edge hotels to Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
The convention center runs along Convention Center Boulevard; hotels in the CBD and Warehouse District are typically a 10-25 minute walk. This is the fastest option at peak times when traffic backs up on Convention Center Boulevard, and it is why the closer hotel bands carry a premium.
rental car
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forMSY airport pickup, used for I-10 corridor hotels and regional side trips
Only worth it if you stay outside the CBD or plan regional travel: downtown hotel parking adds roughly USD 30-40 per night and convention center lots charge by the day. Confirm the current daily maximum at your chosen lot.
Weather
April in New Orleans is warm, humid spring weather rather than high summer: normal daytime highs sit near 26-27 C (79-81 F) with overnight lows near 16-17 C (61-63 F), and the month carries a real chance of showers and thunderstorms, some of them short and heavy in the afternoon. No forecast was returned for this run, so treat these as climatological bands, not a forecast - check a short-range forecast about a week before travel. Practical consequence for the conference: the walk between CBD hotels and the convention center is pleasant in the morning and sticky by mid-afternoon, and session rooms run cold, so a light layer plus compact rain protection covers both extremes.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
The United States uses 120V / 60Hz power with Type A and Type B plugs, so UK, EU and Asian travellers need a plug adapter and, for non-dual-voltage devices, a converter. Mobile coverage on all major US networks is good across the CBD and Warehouse District; an eSIM bought before departure is usually cheaper than roaming for a four-to-five day stay. Venue Wi-Fi handles email and general browsing but degrades in dense session blocks and around the exhibit floor, so plan on a hotspot or phone tethering for live demos; wired connections, where offered, must be ordered in advance through the venue services form. Public Wi-Fi in hotels and cafes is common but should not be used for campus system access without a VPN.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Tipping and payment
Tipping is expected rather than optional: around 18-20 percent in sit-down restaurants and bars, a dollar or two per drink at the bar, and a couple of dollars per bag for hotel staff. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in the CBD and French Quarter, but keep small notes for tips, shuttle desks and streetcar fares.
Business dress at a vendor user conference
Business casual is the norm - collared shirts, chinos, dresses, comfortable shoes - with a light jacket for heavily air-conditioned session rooms. Very few attendees wear ties, and vendor staff usually opt for branded polos rather than suits.
Venue geography
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is a very long riverside building along Convention Center Boulevard, so a hall number means a real walk. Check your session room against the hall numbering before each block, and allow 10-15 minutes to cross from one end to the other during changeover periods.
Street sense and evening plans
The CBD and French Quarter are busy and generally safe in the evening along main streets, but stay on lit, populated blocks after dark and use a rideshare if you are heading far from the Quarter. Bourbon Street is loud and crowded - for peer dinners, Warehouse District and CBD restaurants are closer to the venue and easier to talk in.
Meal timing and reservations
Conference week compresses restaurant capacity in the CBD: book dinner reservations for larger groups well ahead, or plan on a walk-in at the bar. Breakfast meetings are easier to secure than 7pm tables, and the lunch window around 12:00-13:00 fills fastest near the convention center.
Local etiquette in a working city
New Orleans runs on hospitality and small talk; a greeting before a request goes a long way with hotel and venue staff. Address people as sir or ma'am in service settings, and keep shop and restaurant conversations brief during the city's busy festival and conference season.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: MSY
MSY is the only commercial airport with a short, direct transfer to the convention center (about 14.4 miles and roughly 36 minutes via I-10 E), so price flights there first and only consider BTR if the saving clearly covers the roughly 1 hour 25 minute road transfer. Captured duration samples: New York JFK to MSY nonstop at about 3 hr 31 min on JetBlue; London LHR to MSY at about 12 hr 25 min on a one-stop via CLT, with longer JetBlue itineraries via BOS or JFK running 15-16 hr; Tokyo NRT to MSY at 14-20 hr with one stop via DEN, DFW or ORD. Fares were loading in the capture, so none of those are price quotes. Google Travel flagged that the cheapest booking window for New York to New Orleans typically falls outside the conference month and that fares for the April 2027 window were reading high at capture time - book early or set a price alert, and build a buffer on arrival day if you are connecting through a hub with afternoon storm delays.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): about 36 minutes by car; Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR): about 1 hr 25 min by car to New Orleans. Allow road or rail time to New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center: Downtown / French Quarter edge, New Orleans: Q&C Hotel and Bar New Orleans, Autograph Collection; Downtown / French Quarter Area, New Orleans: Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown/French Quarter Area; Downtown / Canal Street, New Orleans: TownePlace Suites by Marriott New Orleans Downtown/Canal Street.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft both operate across New Orleans, including the CBD, Warehouse District and French Quarter. At MSY, rideshare pickup is in an assigned zone separate from the taxi rank - follow the signs after baggage claim rather than hailing curbside. Expect surge pricing on the first conference morning, after the closing session and around dinner hours; the taxi flat rate from the airport is often the cheaper comparison in those windows. From downtown hotels to the convention center, a rideshare is usually unnecessary because the walk is 10-25 minutes, but it is a reasonable option in rain or for evening plans further out. Confirm the vehicle and plate before getting in, and set the pickup pin to the hotel entrance rather than the block address.
Public transit: Public transit in New Orleans is run by the RTA. For the airport, the captured options are the E2 route at about 42 minutes and the 202 route at about 28 minutes from MSY to central New Orleans, both at approximately USD 2 one-way with limited luggage space - realistic only for light packers arriving in daylight. Around the conference, the Canal Street streetcar line links the French Quarter edge and Canal Street with the CBD, and the St. Charles line serves the Garden District; fares are approximate USD 1.25 one-way with exact change or app payment. The convention center itself is best reached on foot from CBD and Warehouse District hotels, and buses are a fallback in heavy rain rather than the default.
Parking: Self-driving to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is feasible: surface lots and garages serve the Convention Center Boulevard corridor at roughly USD 20-35 per day, with rates set by the lot operator and event-day pricing sometimes higher than posted weekday rates. Arrive before the first session block on opening morning, because lots near the main halls fill early during a large conference, and note that the building is long - park at the end closest to your hall rather than the first available entrance. Downtown hotels add roughly USD 30-40 per night for parking, and the Holiday Inn Express French Quarter Area capture showed about USD 38.23 per night, so compare the hotel-plus-parking total against a walkable rate. Confirm current daily maximums with the venue or your hotel before driving in.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: April 2027 (early-April conference window in New Orleans, Louisiana)
Temperature: Typically highs near 26-27 C (79-81 F) and overnight lows near 16-17 C (61-63 F) in early April. The official weather feed failed for this run, so treat the band as a seasonal guide rather than a forecast, and check a short-range forecast about a week out.
Seasonality: April is a showery stretch in southeast Louisiana: brief, sometimes heavy afternoon thunderstorms are common and the wider spring severe-weather season is active in the region. That means a compact umbrella and a light rain layer belong in your day bag, and outdoor evening plans near the river should have an indoor fallback. Humidity also climbs through the day, so the morning walk to the convention center feels very different from the 16:00 walk back.
Packing: Pack breathable business casual for warm, humid afternoons - collared shirts, light trousers or dresses - plus a light jacket or wrap for heavily air-conditioned session rooms and river breezes in the evening. Comfortable walking shoes matter more than formal shoes here, because the convention center is a long hall and CBD hotels are a 10-25 minute walk away. Add compact rain protection, a power bank and a Type A/B plug adapter for US 120V power; for outdoor evening plans near the river, insect repellent is worth the space.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Ellucian Live - Datatel Users' Group usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Day 1
download the schedule page (elive.ellucian.com/schedule) and mark the sessions that map to your system - SIS upgrade, ERP/finance reporting, financial aid configuration, integration/API work - so you are not choosing tracks on the show floor.
Day 2
book the flight into MSY rather than BTR unless the fare difference is large; MSY is roughly 36 minutes by road from the convention center district.
Day 3
lock a CBD, Warehouse District or French Quarter edge hotel so the venue is a walk or a short rideshare, and re-check the nightly rate against the estimate you budgeted.
Day 4
list the peer institutions and partner vendors you need to meet, and send two or three meeting requests now while calendars are still open.
Day 5
confirm whether your employer needs a business-purpose letter for US entry, and check ESTA or visa status if you are travelling from outside the United States.
Day 6
arrange ground transport on arrival day - decide between taxi, rideshare, the airport bus and a shared shuttle, and note that pickup zones differ per mode at MSY.; check the short-range New Orleans forecast and pack for humid 26-27 C afternoons with a light layer for cold session rooms.
Day 7
collect your travel documents, hotel confirmation and registration receipt in one folder for badge pickup.
Day 8
prepare your questions per session - release timeline, data migration approach, integration endpoints - and note them against the sessions you marked.
Day 9
set up mobile data (roaming plan or eSIM) so you can work between sessions; convention center Wi-Fi gets congested during peak blocks.
Day 10
if you are driving in, confirm current daily parking rates and the lot entrance you plan to use on Convention Center Boulevard.
Day 11
pack business casual plus comfortable walking shoes; the venue is a long riverside hall and the walk from CBD hotels adds up over three days.
Day 12
confirm your registration tier is paid and matches your plan (full conference versus the single-day pass), and check whether your institution qualifies for the 10+ group rate before the tier closes.; check your flight status, charge a power bank, and screenshot your badge confirmation in case the conference network is slow at registration.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Ellucian Live - Datatel Users' Group registration concourse
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$230.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$380.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Cost reference
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · General admission
USD 1375 / per person
organiser_published
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | General admission | USD 1375 / per person | organiser_published |
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Ellucian Live - Datatel Users' Group fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Ellucian Live - Datatel Users' Group, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Student information systems and management solutions solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Ellucian Live - Datatel Users' Group in New Orleans, LA.
Min. budget
$1,925.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Student information systems and management solutions products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$8,662.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the New Orleans, LA show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
What is Ellucian Live and who is it for?
Ellucian Live is Ellucian's annual customer and partner conference for higher education. The audience is campus teams that run Ellucian software - registrars and student records staff, IT and integration teams, finance and HR/ERP owners, financial aid officers, advancement and fundraising staff, plus the partner companies that build on or implement those systems. It is a working conference rather than a consumer show: attendees come with release planning, upgrade and integration questions for the coming academic year.
When and where is the April 2027 edition?
New Orleans, Louisiana, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Travel and hotel captures for this run cluster on a 4-8 April 2027 window, so treat April 2027 as the working date and confirm the exact start and end dates on the official schedule page (elive.ellucian.com/schedule) before you book non-refundable travel.
How much does registration cost?
Captured tiers were USD 1,375 for an individual Super Early Bird registration, USD 1,130 per person for a group of 10 or more on the same Super Early Bird basis, and USD 700 for a single-day pass. Those are capture-time figures, so check the live registration page for current tiers, group rules and any institutional discount before you commit a budget line.
Is Ellucian Live restricted to existing Ellucian customers?
The core audience is institutions running Ellucian products, plus partner and sponsor companies in the Ellucian ecosystem. If you are evaluating a migration or a replacement system, ask the organiser directly whether an evaluator or guest registration path exists, because pass types and eligibility are set by Ellucian rather than by the venue.
Which airport should I fly into?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the practical gateway: about 14.4 miles and roughly 36 minutes by car to the convention center area via I-10 E. Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) is about 1 hour 25 minutes away by road, so it only makes sense when the fare saving clearly outweighs the extra transfer time and cost.
How do I get from MSY to the convention center and my hotel?
You have four realistic options: taxi or rideshare on the roughly 36-minute run from MSY (approximate USD 35-50 depending on mode and surge), the RTA E2 airport bus for a few dollars with a longer ride, a shared shuttle to downtown hotels, or a rental car if you plan to stay outside the CBD. Confirm live fares and pickup points on arrival - the airport pickup zones are assigned per mode.
Where should I stay for the convention center?
Aim for the Central Business District, Warehouse District or the French Quarter edge, which puts you within a 10-25 minute walk or a very short rideshare of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Captured April 2027 quotes for the run ranged from roughly USD 95-130 per night at limited-service I-10 corridor properties to roughly USD 140-200 per night at four-star French Quarter and Canal Street addresses; all figures are estimates and should be re-checked live.
What is the weather like in New Orleans in April?
Warm and humid spring conditions: daytime highs normally sit near 26-27 C (79-81 F) and overnight lows near 16-17 C (61-63 F), with a genuine chance of showers and thunderstorms. Halls are heavily air-conditioned, so bring a light layer plus compact rain protection and comfortable shoes for the riverside walk to the convention center.
What should I bring to the conference?
Your registration confirmation and photo ID for badge pickup, a laptop or tablet if you plan to take notes in hands-on or technical sessions, a charged power bank, business cards for partner meetings, and a light rain layer. US power is 120V with Type A/B plugs, so European and Asian travellers need a plug adapter and, for some devices, a voltage converter.
Is there parking at the venue?
Yes - the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center area has surface lots and garage parking, and halls are accessed from Convention Center Boulevard. Rates vary by lot and event day and are set by the operator, so treat any budget figure as approximate and confirm the current daily maximum with the venue or your hotel before driving in.
Glossary
- Ellucian Live
- Ellucian's annual customer and partner conference for higher education institutions, staged for the April 2027 edition at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The published schedule sits at elive.ellucian.com/schedule, and registration is sold in tiers (individual Super Early Bird, 10+ group rate, single-day pass).
- Ellucian
- The higher education software vendor whose user community meets at Ellucian Live. Its product estate covers student information systems, finance and HR/payroll ERP, financial aid, advancement, analytics and the surrounding integration layer that campus IT teams run day to day.
- SIS (Student Information System)
- The campus system of record for admissions, registration, transcripts, course sections and student records. SIS releases, upgrades and integration patterns are a recurring theme for the registrar and IT staff who attend Ellucian Live.
- ERP in higher education
- An enterprise resource planning suite adapted to college and university operations, covering finance, procurement, human resources, payroll and budget. Campus ERP owners use the conference to compare release notes, reporting changes and integration work with peer institutions.
- Banner
- Ellucian's long-standing student and ERP product family used by many North American institutions. Sessions and partner demos around Banner typically cover upgrades, data model changes, self-service experiences and third-party integrations.
- Colleague
- Ellucian's other major student and administrative system family, widely used by community colleges and smaller institutions. Colleague users attend for release briefings, reporting/analytics work and vendor integration planning.
- Financial aid processing
- The rules, packaging and disbursement workflow that determines what students actually pay. Ellucian has dedicated financial aid software, and aid office staff come to Ellucian Live for regulatory-change briefings and system configuration guidance.
- Advancement
- Institutional fundraising and alumni/donor relationship management. Advancement teams attend to review CRM and giving-platform roadmaps and to compare stewardship reporting practice with peer foundations.
- Integration and APIs
- The middleware, data contracts and API layer that connect the SIS/ERP to LMS, CRM, identity, housing and analytics tools. Integration work is one of the practical reasons campus IT teams send several staff to Ellucian Live at once.
- Analytics and institutional reporting
- Dashboards, data warehouses and reporting built on top of student and finance data, used for retention, enrolment and budget decisions. Reporting staff attend to see what standard content ships and what still needs campus-built models.
- Super Early Bird rate
- The deepest registration discount tier published in the ticket capture: USD 1,375 for an individual and USD 1,130 per person for groups of 10 or more. A separate single-day pass was listed at USD 700. Confirm current tiers on the official registration page before budgeting.
- Badge pickup
- On-site credential collection at the convention center registration desk. Plan to collect your badge before the first session block on day one, because the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is a long riverside hall and queues build at opening.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Ellucian Live - Datatel Users' Group 2027
- Ellucian Live - Datatel Users' Group New Orleans, LA 2027
- Ellucian Live 2027
- Ellucian Live New Orleans, LA 2027
- Datatel Users 2027
- Datatel Users New Orleans, LA 2027
- New Orleans, LA United States
- Conference New Orleans, LA 2027
- Student information systems and management solutions
- Learning management systems and educational software
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.