Creator-Curious? Two Students Say ’CUSE Creator Con Is for You
Think the creator economy is only for people with a ring light and a million followers? Think again.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, and Friday, Oct. 23, Syracuse University’s (CCE) hosts . Open to the entire University community, the two-day event, with the theme of “Owned and Operated,” brings together the executives, platforms, agencies and investors who run the business of digital content.
Two students are part of bringing the event to life.
Matty Weisholtz ’27, a content creator and president of , has turned what started as a hobby into a growing personal brand. Since landing her first brand collaboration with Valentino, she has pitched and partnered with brands on her own, and this summer she was invited on an all-expenses-paid creator trip to New York City with Google and Unwell.
“Being surrounded by other creators and getting to experience that side of the industry made me realize how far something that started as a hobby had taken me,” says Weisholtz, a marketing management major in the . “It was one of those moments where I thought, ‘Wow, this is actually my life!’”
Elizabeth Riehl ’27, a public relations major in the , brings hands-on social media experience to the event. As project manager for Newhouse social, she helps plan and produce content for the school’s social channels.
Her work with Hill Communications gives her experience managing communications for real clients, and she understands what matters the most.
“Working with a brand that is centered around students, my team and I are always working to make our content authentic. If you are inauthentic on social media, consumers will be able to see right through that,” Riehl says. “At this point in time, brands want to be people and people want to be brands. It’s so important to make sure that your content is accurately reflecting the stakeholders you serve.”
For Creator Con, Riehl’s role is to bridge the CCE and Hill Communications teams to create content from the event and help maximize the guest experience.
Weisholtz will join a panel on Friday. “Creator, Defined” is part of the Signature Research Unveil, 12:45-1:15 p.m. in Room 402.
SU Today asked both students about the industry and what people can expect at the Creator Con.
Weisholtz: People see the fun parts like brand deals, PR packages, events, but they don’t always see how much work happens behind the scenes. You’re basically running your own small business. You’re pitching yourself, negotiating your own contracts, managing deadlines, analyzing your performance and constantly thinking about what’s next. Even filming a video, a lot goes into it. I think people underestimate how much strategy goes into being a creator. It’s not just about posting a video and hoping it goes viral.
Riehl: To students who may think this event isn’t for them because they are “not a creator,” I would say that the creator economy is far more than just creators. The creator economy is made up of business practitioners, lawyers, creatives, software developers and so many other professions that make up this industry. This event is for all students to explore a career in this industry and learn how the creator economy can help you get there.
Riehl: If I had to choose one thing that I want students to walk away with, it’s a newfound knowledge of how intricate this industry really is. A lot of the time, the media profession can be described as easy, but there truly is so much education, experience and logistics needed to effectively contribute to a media conglomerate.
Weisholtz: I want students to walk away realizing that they don’t need thousands of followers or a viral video to be part of the creator economy. There are soooooo many opportunities beyond being an influencer, whether that’s brand partnerships, marketing, talent management, production or entrepreneurship! I hope students leave feeling inspired to put themselves out there and build their personal brands, but also just simply start creating opportunities for themselves instead of waiting for someone to give them one.
Join the Conversation at ’CUSE Creator Con
- Day 1 Kickoff Celebration: Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-8 p.m., Flaum Grand Hall, Whitman School of Management. Enjoy a reception, a Year 1 recap from CCE leadership, findings from the center’s first research study and a keynote from Ted Murphy, founder of IZEA and COEY.
- Official After Glow: Thursday, Oct. 22, 8-10 p.m., Gaming and Esports Center, Schine Student Center. Drinks, snacks and plenty of action.
- Day 2: Friday, Oct. 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Whitman School of Management. Connect with alumni creators, influencers and industry leaders.
Launched in 2025, the is led jointly by the and the .
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