Higher Education Smart
Campus Association (HESCA)
HESCA’s aim is to provide Higher Education establishments with a platform for debate on smart card technology issues relevant to their business objectives.
HESCA endeavours to provide an opportunity to explore the technology in detail; the standards, software, hardware, applications and integration, aiming to develop a mechanism by which a series of cost-effective solutions is available to its members.
This Forum meets quarterly, including an annual two-day Conference & Exhibition. The main focus is the on-campus functions supported by smart campus cards and, in the near future, by smartphones. There are some 20 candidate functions, including access control, attendance monitoring, cashless catering & vending, library activities, campus payments, society memberships, examinee validation and identity assurance. Meetings are chaired by an HEI representative, and are attended by smart campus service providers, HEIs, FEIs and specialist consultants.
2024/25 HESCA Meeting Dates
Smartex’s annual two-day Conference & Exhibition for HESCA
26th & 27th March 2025
Downing College, University of Cambridge, Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1DQ
REGISTER NOW
HESCA (the Higher Education Smart Campus Association) has pleasure in inviting you and/or a colleague to attend its annual conference and exhibition – HESCA25 – taking place on 26th and 27th March 2024 at Downing College, University of Cambridge.
HESCA25 is the latest in a series of similar successful events that Smartex has run over the past 10 years in locations such as Southampton, Nottingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, Bristol, Brighton, Warwick and Loughborough.
Attendance at HESCA25 is free-of-charge to invited non-member HEIs and FEIs and to all HESCA members (with attendance on both days counting as one day’s membership entitlement). Other non-members may attend at a cost of £200 + VAT per day per delegate.
We recognise that HEIs and FEIs are feeling the financial pinch, and that any investments in smart campus technology must be offset by cost savings or increases in revenue. Accordingly, we have built this into the fabric of our planned topics for HESCA25.
HESCA25 OUTLINE CONFERENCE AGENDA
Download HESCA25 Event Agenda
HESCA25 EXHIBITION
As always, leading suppliers of smart campus solutions, so far including Databac, Digital ID, EMOS Information Systems, Evolis, InVentry, Paragon ID, SALTO Systems and Uniware Systems will be on-hand throughout the event to demonstrate their new systems offerings, and you will have ample opportunities to talk to other HEI/FEIs about their experiences of developing a smart campus.
Cocktail reception on 26th March
Our traditional cocktail reception will be held in the late afternoon of 26th March in the exhibition room, to provide further opportunities for delegates, speakers and exhibitors to meet and share experiences and requirements.
Evening dinner on 26th March
The popular event dinner is taking place at 7.15pm on the evening of 26th March at a local restaurant (venue t.b.c.). Delegates, speakers and exhibitors may reserve places with us for this dinner at their own cost (approx. £50 + VAT per head).
What’s included in the deal?
Included within these arrangements will be:
- Participation at all sessions on both days
- Access to all available presentation material
- Refreshments on arrival and throughout both days, including two buffet luncheons and the drinks reception on the evening of 26th March
Overnight accommodation
We have reserved a limited number of rooms for night(s) of 25th and/or 26th March at Downing College at the preferential price of £156 incl. VAT B&B per night. To book a room, please:
- Visit https://www.downing-conferences-cambridge.co.uk/accommodation
- Scroll down to ‘Make a Booking’
- Enter the promotional code SMARTEX2025 if you wish to book for night of 26th March ONLY
- Enter promotional code SMARTEX032025 if you wish to book for both nights of 25th and 26th March
- Select your arrival and departure dates and the number of guests, and follow instructions to complete your booking
How to register to attend HESCA25
To book your place at HESCA25, please complete the online booking form.
If you have any questions relating to HESCA25, or if your organisation would be interested in becoming a sponsor/exhibitor, please contact me at annabel@smartex.com or on +44 (0)7785 254405.
We very much hope to welcome you at HESCA25 at Downing College in March.