Finding talent, keeping talent and nurturing talent – all things we think about, but how in heavens do we achieve results? Why is diversity in our profession such a challenge? And in a flourishing economy, why are so many of us still struggling to find the right people for our critical roles? The ‘summer slowdown’ no longer exists in advancement, the demands are higher, and managing it all requires more of you than ever before. Come learn how to get some of it right, what experiments to consider, and the pitfalls to avoid.

Word of mouth is the most powerful influencer, whether you’re choosing a new pair of shoes, an independent school, or a college. In 2020, social media IS word of mouth. Someone likes something posted or tweeted by a school and all their connections see it and tacitly accept it as an endorsement. Find out how committing to a simple, easy social media strategy can allow a school to dictate word of mouth to thousands of potential students.

The NYU LGBTQ+ Alumni Network has made tremendous strides in providing programming for a more diverse audience over the course of just one year. Historically, this group had difficulty reaching the full LGBTQ+ alumni community, attributable to an excess of happy hours and other alcohol-centered events. Learn how the LGBTQ+ Alumni Network transformed from a majority cis-gay-male- identified group into a network that engages all LGBTQ+ identities. The NYU LGBTQ+ Alumni Network was a recipient of a 2019 CASE Circle of Excellence Award for their success in redesigning their programming.

How do you explain how things are done when onboarding a new team member? That’s your culture. Some of us are process-oriented, goal-oriented, or people-oriented, but we all need to work together to deliver exceptional service. This honest retrospective of how the UofG started making a substantial organization change--designed to drive us to sustainable $50M annually--covers key learnings from our own experience. Learn how you can be a change champion on your team, no matter your role.

Finding ways to bring together students and young alumni in a manner that is satisfying and fulfilling to both can be a challenge; come hear about the strides and mistakes Johns Hopkins University has made in their 10 years of hosting the Seniors and Young Alumni Leadership Symposium and some of the events that have spun off from it in that time. Bring ideas on alumni-student programs from your institution to share.

Texting has made its way into higher ed’s communications channels: it’s quick, simple, and breaks through the noise of a full email inbox. See how Cornell implemented a multi-month texting campaign that brought together digital offers, engagement opportunities, and solicitations. This session covers the strategic partnerships that had to happen to get the project off the ground, campaign content, results, and how to make the case for your own usage.

Learn how the donor relations and annual fund teams at Drexel University collaborated to engage donors and increase retention resulting in a retention rate of 62% in fiscal year 2019. Explore the methods we used to engage donors that can be scalable to any size institution, and all on a limited budget.

Take an in-depth look at using podcasts for engaging with alumni, for recruiting new students, and for connecting the university to alumni, parents, family, friends, and the community. Learn how to create your own podcast and discover the benefits it can have on your institution.

This session is meant to help high fliers position thieir program and role as a top priority for your institution. Learn how to align effectively with the institutional strategic plan and how to understand and have the ability to think strategically. Find out how to earn a seat at the table with other key leaders in your advancement division and how to be accountable and attain your annual goals. Finally, discover how to achieve a highly-rated program with highly impactful results.

Every institution's philanthropic pyramid begins with a solid foundation. Learn how and when the most successful shops build their philanthropic pipelines. Starting with campus philanthropy and young alumni engagement, discuss strategies to build a culture of giving across every donor cycle stage. Discover how to maximize fundraising productivity and ensure sustainability across the giving pyramid.