Tribal's Empower Conference is back - scroll down for the full agenda!
Our theme this year is Empowering the Core: Transforming Student Systems for University Success. We're embracing the immense potential of IT teams and SITS users in restructuring the educational landscape. Our two-day conference offers meaningful discussions and demonstrations of the role of university student systems, and the practical and strategic impact of your contributions. Join us too in celebrating your integral role at our Celebration of Success awards and gala dinner.
Sign up now and help us transform the future of SITS.

DATE
Tuesday 8 July
&
Wednesday 9 July

LOCATION
DAYTIME
Sheffield Hallam University
EVENING
Cutler's Hall






TICKET INFORMATION
2-DAY CONFERENCE TICKET
Cost: £175 + vat
- Access to all plenary and workshop sessions
- Access to all on-demand session content post-event
- Access to our sponsors exhibition space
- Food and refreshments throughout the day
- Delegate conference goody pack on arrival
- Ticket to the Celebration of Success awards and gala dinner
* Payment is via Purchase Order which will need to be supplied at the point of booking.
09:00 - 09:30
Registration
10:00 - 10:30
Introduction and Welcome
10:30 - 11:30
Product Roadmap's - Infrastructure, Product and Enablers
11:30 - 12.00
Refreshments
12:00 - 13:00
BREAKOUT SESSION
What's New in SITS and What’s Coming?
SITS version 11 marks a major release, which is indicative of the new direction that SITS is taking; a more standardised offering, based on cloud-first delivery, with an exclusively web-based presentation layer, and full suite of robust APIs. Learn about some of the many highlights in the newest version of the UK’s leading SMS.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Reducing Risk with Tribal Cloud v3
Minimise operational risks and modernise IT workflows with Tribal Cloud v3. This session outlines how advanced database technology reduces vulnerabilities while enhancing data management. Ideal for IT professionals and SITS developers aiming to future-proof their systems.
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 14:30
BREAKOUT SESSION
Transforming Higher Education Systems - Customer Panel
Pressure is mounting for Higher Education institutions to transform their systems and operations in a way which delivers greater efficiency at a lower total cost of ownership. In this panel session, we’ll discuss the practical ways we’re supporting customers as they embark on their individual journeys of transformation.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Testing with University of Wolverhampton
The University of Wolverhampton take the testing of SITS environments very seriously. Working in partnership with Tribal during their migration to the Tribal Cloud, the university made sure their SITS environments were tested comprehensively. This session delves into that process.
BREAKOUT SESSION
ITS Malta's Transformation Journey
ITS Malta's migration to the Tribal Cloud heralded a new era at the institution. Aiming to overcome significant obstacles, and ensure improved and modern service delivery to students and staff, along with enhanced security measures, and the elimination of complex management burden. This session gives an open an honest update of their transformation journey, and includes lessons learnt along the way and their plans for the future.
14:30 - 15:30
BREAKOUT SESSION
HESA Data Futures
Dive into data compliance with this interactive session focusing on insights and updates from the HESA Data Futures project. Perfect for SITS users needing to stay ahead in data reporting and compliance requirements. Gain practical applications to ensure your institution meets its HESA obligations efficiently.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Connecting the Dots: Change Management Masterclass (PACT)
Explore best practices for implementing change in higher education. Targeted towards university administrators and IT professionals, this masterclass delivers actionable strategies for overcoming challenges and achieving seamless transformations. This session is delivered by our sponsor, PACT.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Managing Degree Apprenticeships with York St John University
See how through the use of MAYTAS ,York St John University more easily navigates Ofsted, have tools to identify learner risk factors, and how they are able optimise time spent on funding claims.
15:30 - 16:00
Refreshments
16:00 - 16:30
BREAKOUT SESSION
The Future of Timetabling
Discover the future of Timetabling and Scheduling with our all-new TermTime v9 which is due for release later this year. Learn about the key features we’re building into the product, which will help you enhance efficiency, and how direct integrations mean your data is available for use across your entire student record.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Getting the most out of HEFS: Student Support and Wellbeing
This session will demonstrate all the latest innovations in our student support and wellbeing solution. All the powerful benefits of the solution are available now to those with a HEFS subscription.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Collaborating for Customer Success: An Informal Overview
Join us for an informal discussion with Tribal's dedicated Customer Success team covering the importance of collaboration in achieving success. This session highlights Tribal's role in bridging gaps to create meaningful partnerships and outcomes and is a chance to meet your Customer Success Consultant face to face.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Supporting Customers: An Informal Overview of Customer Support, Business Advisory and Professional Services
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Tribal’s customer support operations. Designed for SITS users and administrators, this session will showcase how professional services and business advisory simplify processes to drive efficiency, ensuring a smoother user experience.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Managing Degree Apprenticeships with Maytas 6
Get a first look at our upcoming full SaaS degree apprenticeship platform, Maytas 6. Discover the technology which helps you navigate the likes of Ofsted, identify learner risk factors and how to optimise the time spent on funding claims.
16:30 - 17:00
Plenary Keynote and Close
With Adam Fox, CTO, Tribal
18:30 - 00:30
Celebration of Success Awards and Gala Dinner
10:00 - 10:30
Exhibition and Workshops
10:30 - 11:30
WORKSHOP
Reimagining your enrolment process
Hear firsthand how we’re reimagining the enrolment process as part of our SITS roadmap. In this session we’ll cover the progress so far and explore the latest thinking in terms of the features and functionality needed to support the enrolment process into the future.
WORKSHOP
Overcoming Data and Integration Challenges in Higher Education
In this workshop, we’ll explore how adopting Data Products and Data Contracts is changing the way we define, manage, and govern data. Discover how these approaches enable more robust use of data, leverage the new data access layer, and help improve the management of system changes while providing greater clarity for integrations and reporting. We’ll share our evolving direction as we reimagine our approach, moving towards data domain and contract-based methods, and offer early insights into how these can better support the ever-changing requirements of higher education systems.
WORKSHOP
Standardising Processes to Drive Efficiency
Uncover how standardised processes can streamline your operations and reduce complexity in your day-to-day workflows, transforming operational efficiency and empowering you to maximise productivity. This session will leverage practical examples and interactive discussions, making it a must-attend for those interested in driving efficiency in their institutions.
WORKSHOP
What's New in SITS Exam?
Stay updated with the latest advancements in SITS Exam. This session for SITS users and developers showcases new features and tools designed to streamline exam management, improve user functionality, and enhance the overall experience.
11:30 - 12:00
Refreshments
12:00 - 13:00
WORKSHOP
Getting to the Cloud with V3
Join us for this panel discussion delving into the initiatives we’ve developed to help institutions migrate SITS to the Tribal Cloud easier, quicker and at lower cost than ever before.
WORKSHOP
Transforming Wellbeing Support to Reduce Dropout
Address one of higher education’s critical challenges with this workshop on supporting student wellbeing. Explore innovative solutions to reduce dropout rates while empowering student success. Ideal for student services teams and administrators focused on retention strategies.
WORKSHOP
Testing, Testing!! 123 to ABC (INFUSE)
Enhance your SITS testing strategies with this hands-on session. Perfect for SITS developers and IT professionals, gain practical tools and techniques for better test management and quality assurance. This workshop will be delivered our sponsor, Infuse.
WORKSHOP
Project Management Strategy: Tactics vs Techniques
Explore the balance between tactical approaches and strategic techniques in project management. This workshop is ideal for administrators and leaders seeking to refine their project execution skills.
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 15:30 (Session lengths vary)
WORKSHOP & DEMONSTRATION
Dramatically Faster Admissions
Join us for this interactive workshop exploring the features and functionality we’re building into Tribal Admissions, and discuss how these could help revolutionise your admissions process, reducing delays and improving efficiency.
WORKSHOP
Good Looking Policy vs Bad Looking Data
Do your data retention policies look good, but your data doesn’t? This interactive workshop will introduce the functionality available in SITS to delete previous student data and apply retention policies. We’ll consider the concept of a core student record and review a worked example. We’ll also consider to what extent such a process can be automated. Join in if you’re interested in GDPR, student data structures or have ever wondered ‘why do we still have that student’s personal statement from 10 years ago?
WORKSHOP
How to Drive Efficiency in University Timetabling
In this interactive session you’ll learn strategies to optimise timetabling processes and improve scheduling efficiency. Hear expert insights on integrating systems and handling complex schedules seamlessly. A vital session for university administrators and IT professionals handling academic operations.
WORKSHOP
Working in Harmony: SITS and Maytas
Discover how integrating SITS and MAYTAS, provides you with the functionality across the full apprentice lifecycle. To ensure that at critical times like Ofsted inspection, audit or apprenticeships accountability framework reporting, you are using the same single source of truth.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Introducing Tribal Visas & Immigration
Take your CAS Request processing to the next level with TVI. Reduce system maintenance overheads, increase CAS processing efficiency and reduce UKVI compliance risk. Come to use the Admissions CAS Request process, integrated with SITS Admissions blueprints, and provide feedback that may help shape the future direction of the product.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Turning Potential into Expertise: Tribal Future Talent Programme
Empowering the workforce of tomorrow starts today. This interactive Q&A session highlights Tribal’s Future Talent Programme, focusing on upskilling and career pathways for a career using SITS. Don’t miss this opportunity to speak to some of our recent graduates and those currently working through the latest programme.
BREAKOUT SESSION
The Future of University Marketing and Recruitment
Explore emerging trends and tools reshaping university marketing and student recruitment strategies. Gain insights into data-driven techniques to attract high-quality applicants. Tailored for higher education leaders and marketing professionals eager to stay competitive.
15:30 - 16:00
Conference Close
DAYTIME VENUE:
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
Sheffield Hallam University (Owen Building)
Hallam Square
Sheffield City Centre
S1 2LX
United Kingdom
EVENING VENUE:
CUTLER'S HALL
7-15 Church St
Sheffield City Centre
S1 1HG
United Kingdom

GETTING TO SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
WALKING
The Owen Building is a very short walk up from Sheffield Train Station.
BY CAR
There is no parking available on-site.
The nearest public car parks are:
Arundel Gate, S1 6DG
Q-Park Charles Street, S1 2NJ
BY TRAIN
The City of Sheffield is on the main line running between London and Edinburgh providing regular trains through the city.