Sunday Night Opening Reception
6:30-9:00 PM
The conference kicks off with a opening reception at The Tower Club, on the 21st floor of the Hammons Tower at 901 St. Louis Street (just across the street from the University Plaza Hotel). The reception will include heavy hors d'oeuvres, networking and spirited a Guitar Hero contest among attendees.
Monday Night HighEdWeb After Dark
8:00-10:00 PM
A new addition to the conference, HighEdWeb After Dark is an opportunity for conference attendees to network and hang out at Springfield Brewing Company. The location offers plenty of space for attendees to talk and enjoy a local beverage, with pool tables and an outdoor patio to boot.
Springfield Brewing Company is located downtown at 301 S Market Ave, making it easy to access if you enjoy dinner downtown on Monday.
Tuesday Night Excursion
6:00-9:00 PM
This year’s outing will take place at Springfield’s Discovery Center, an interactive, hands-on museum committed to inspiring people of all ages with a life-long love of learning and an appreciation of the world and our place in it.
The Discovery Center is located downtown at 438 E. St. Louis Street, just a couple blocks from the hotels.
Discovery Center Highlights

- HighWire Bike - pedal your way across the high wire 15 feet above the floor
- Immersion Cinema – Sharks: Predators/Prey - Navigate your way through the food web as you work toward the ultimate goal: becoming a SHARK! Be prepared for the challenge of the hunt and many exciting battles.
- EnergyExchange - explore simple machines, convert energy from potential to kinetic to mechanical to electrical with your own body power, and explore how different engines use and create energy.
Other Entertainment
The conference hotels are a short walk from downtown Springfield, a revitalized area of restaurants, pubs, shopping and entertainment.
See the downtown events, directory and news at: