LINK Strategic Partners Presents at Association for Student Residential Accommodation (ASRA) 2022 Conference in Bedfordshire, UK
LINK’s growing United Kingdom branch establishes international presence at annual conference
Manchester, March 24 – LINK Strategic Partners (LINK) was thrilled to attend the Association for Student Residential Accommodation (ASRA) 2022 Conference in Bedfordshire, UK. This marked the association's first in-person conference held since 2019. Director of Community Engagement Poppy Humphrey and UK Branch Manager Matthew Helfrich joined over 300 attendees to exhibit and later present on social media best practices for increasing student engagement.
LINK’s attendance showcased their extensive experience of delivering campaigns and initiatives across a multitude of sectors both in the US and UK. This breadth of understanding draws on a decade of experience providing services across the higher education and housing sectors. LINK’s presence at ASRA enabled a platform to present a robust legacy of understanding about the critical work required to effectively deliver services to the student accommodation sector.
In addition to LINKs wide-ranging portfolio, the team ranges from 17-94 years old, offering unique experience and expertise to deliver an expansive scope of work ranging from digital design and content creation to community and stakeholder engagement. The services provided within the student accommodation sector far extend beyond housing, including services related to health and well-being; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and much more.
LINK Strategic Partners, which turns 10 years old later this month, established its first international branch in the United Kingdom in 2019 where the team collocated within Manchester University offices. This branch came about after years of LINK involvement on issues pertinent to the student experience via their engagement with international organisations, such as the United Kingdom Town and Gown Association (UKTGA), International Town and Gown Association (ITGA)and national bodies such as Universities UK (UUK). LINK has presented extensively to university leaders and student housing providers at conferences in Belfast, Nottingham, and Manchester. LINK’s positioning of its flagship UK branch in Manchester enables a central hub from which to further develop its understanding of hyperlocal, regional, and national issues relevant to the higher education and student accommodation sector.
LINK firm leader Matthew Helfrich started the UK branch in 2019. Earlier this year, Poppy Humphrey joined LINK’s expanding UK branch office from her role overseeing off-campus services to over 100,000 students on behalf of a consortium of higher education institutions in Manchester, UK. As the only UK-based certified practitioner in Town-Gown relations, and former Board Member at ASRA, Humphrey’s experience and insight into global trends in this arena are unparalleled. Humphrey’s appointment will enable LINK to further optimize its global platform, including expansion in the UK and Europe.
Helfrich and Humphrey presented to an at-capacity room at ASRA on using social media to better engage students living in halls and private accommodation. “It was amazing to be back in-
person with this community of housing and accommodation providers and operators,” said Helfrich. “We felt so privileged to share our communications expertise with these empowered leaders in the room that can then go on to better engage with the students they serve.”
“ASRA 2022 was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with those who have been on the frontlines of providing vital services to students, particularly during the challenges of the past two years,” said Humphrey. “After such a period of uncertainty and transformative change within this, and indeed every sector, it was exciting to see the opportunities for LINK to collaborate with providers in a unique and innovative way.”
To learn more about LINK Strategic Partners and their array of communications services, visit www.linksp.com. To learn more about the ASRA Conference, visit https://www.asra.ac.uk/.
About LINK Strategic Partners
LINK Strategic Partners is a strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and social impact consulting firm proudly based in Washington, D.C. In 9 years, LINK has expanded from a small local shop to a dynamic firm with hundreds of local, regional, national, and international clients. Our world-class and diverse team of professionals ranges from 17 to 93 years of age and lead our offices in D.C., Phoenix, St. Louis, Maine, New York, and Manchester, England. LINK’s mission-driven work includes thousands of hours of pro bono work provided to community partners. Visit www.linksp.com.