Pop, Fizz, Clink! Creating memorable donor events beyond the champagne toast
In the span of just over a month, the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia reached a $400m campaign milestone, opened a new Kimpton hotel on campus, renovated and reopened Smith Alumni Hall, and dedicated 13 donor-named spaces. Engagement professionals from the Darden School of Business will share the strategies and tactics for developing high-impact events and donor recognition in a challenging environment, using Spring 2023 as a road map. Participants will engage in activities to identify opportunities for ‘surprise and delight’ moments and for utilizing students and faculty in their stewardship program. This session is ideal for mid-career professionals and new advancement professionals whose institutions are embarking on a campaign, ending a campaign, planning a groundbreaking, or looking for creative ways to revitalize their signature donor celebrations and level up their donor recognition. We invite the audience to come prepared with examples of their favorite stewardship special touches or cautionary tales to share!