October 22–23, 2026

View Schedule + Register Panelists, Moderators and Speakers

’CUSE Creator Con is the Center’s flagship annual event, convening top creators and leading thinkers from across the creator economy for two days of programming, panels, and networking. Scheduled for October 22–23, 2026 this year, the event brings the Center’s academic and industry sides together in one room — students, faculty, platforms, brands, creators, and partners all working the same two days of programming.

’CUSE Creator Con 2026 Schedule

Thursday, October 22

Thursday Registration

Welcome & Reception

6:00–8:00 PM – ’CUSE Creator Con Kickoff Gala

Flaum Grand Hall, Whitman School

Reception and networking, welcome remarks, a Year One recap
from Center leadership, and headline findings from the “What
Is a Creator?” study.
Keynote · Ted Murphy, “The Father of Modern Influencer
Marketing,” on the past, present, and future of the creator
economy.

8:00–10:00 PM – Official After Glow

Gaming and Esports Center, Schine Student Center

Cocktails, desserts, and the University’s state-of-the-art gaming facility: console tournaments, F1 sim racing, and PC games.

Friday, October 23

Friday Registration

Exclusive Panels and Talks from Industry Leaders.
All sessions at the Whitman School of Management

9:00–9:30 AM – Arrival, Registration, Coffee

9:30–10:30 AM – Welcome + Opening Panel

The Culture & Business of Sports Content
Moderated by Jordan Kligerman | Newhouse Sports Media Center

Bryan Blair | SU Athletics

Olivia Schmitt | SU Women’s Basketball

Megan Hueter | Excel Sports/GameSeven

10:45–11:45 AM – Concurrent Sessions, Block 1

Creators in Industry: From Getting Started to Getting Results
Moderated by Cydavia Patterson | Syracuse University

Wyatt Gillespie

Essie Acolatse | Spotter, Creator

Stacey Tank

Defining a Discipline: Researching the Creator Economy
Moderated by Carrie Welch | Syracuse University

Mariah Wellman | Michigan State University

Brooke Erin Duffy | Cornell University

Jessica Maddox | University of Georgia

11:45–12:45 PM – Lunch break

12:45–1:15 PM – Signature Research Unveil

Creator, Defined
Moderated by Nicole Travis | Syracuse University

Carrie Welch | Researcher

Nicholas Bowman | Data Analyst

Malik Evans | Meta

Matty Weisholtz | Student Creator

1:30–2:30 PM – Concurrent sessions, block 2

Regulating the Feed: Who Writes the Rules?
Moderated by Nina Brown | Syracuse University

Cameron MacPherson | Syracuse University

Howard Smith

Sandra Carbone

From Pitch to Post: Anatomy of a Brand Deal
Moderated by John Torrens | Syracuse University

Michael Curtis | Proud Management

Imaris Reyes | Ensemble

Jack Adler | Out2Win

2:30–2:45 PM – Quick break

2:45–3:15 PM – Headliner conversation

A Fireside Chat about e.l.f Beauty & Connected Commerce
with Kelly Shah‑McDonnell, VP, Global Connected Commerce
Moderated by Regina Luttrell | Syracuse University