Welcome to New Orleans! Please stop by the registration desk starting at 12:00 p.m. to check in and pick up your conference materials. Don’t forget to drop off you swag items for the swag swap table throughout the conference.
1:00–1:30
Welcome, Faculty Introductions and Conference Overview
Join Conference Chair, Durice White Galloway, to meet the conference faculty, learn about our conference group, and discuss how to get the most out of your time in New Orleans. Review the tools and resource worksheet to capture what you learn in an actionable way that will serve you well beyond the conference.
1:30–2:30
Homecoming and Reunions Overview: The What and the Why
Homecomings and Reunions are hallmarks of alumni relations programs at colleges and universities. Over the last year, institutions were tasked with the challenge of converting traditional on-campus programs to virtual experiences and may have found themselves in lengthy discussions with stakeholders about what to offer and why it was important to keep these programs in the midst of a global pandemic. In this session, the faculty will collectively define the terms of these programs and also share why their institutions continue to invest in these longstanding traditions. You'll learn how to create, define and share your why so that you can support the investment in your reunion and homecoming programs as well.
3:00–4:15
Elective Sessions (choose one):
HOW TO: Build/Create a Homecoming and Reunion Experience
No Football? No Problem! Are you tasked with creating or building a new homecoming and reunion program for your campus? Perhaps one existed but a complete overhaul is needed. Join faculty members Lindsay Seminara and Durice White Galloway to learn the steps to take to successfully build your brand new homecoming and reunion experiences.
HOW TO: Elevate/Refresh your Homecoming and Reunion Experience
Do you have a relatively successful homecoming and reunion program that needs a little facelift? Well, look no further. Join Tim Valentine and Crystal Boyce to learn how they were able to revitalize their reunion and homecoming experiences while staying true to the traditions and heart of the program for alumni.
4:30–5:15
Ask the Experts: Making your Experience Special
Featuring the event manager for the “Greatest Homecoming On Earth” [GHOE], learn how to differentiate your experience to be relevant to your specific alumni while appealing enough to capture the “best” label in the industry.
5:15–6:15
Networking Reception
Join conference faculty and your colleagues to network and unwind after Day 1. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drink tickets will be provided. Don’t forget your business cards and favorite Homecoming/Reunion Swag items for the Swag Swap!
6:15 PM
Conference Adjourns for the Day
Dinner on your own (sign-up sheets for dine-arounds available)
Wear your institutions colors, brand, mascot and more for your chance to win a prize for Most Spirit!
8:30–9:30 AM
Continental Breakfast / Ask the Experts: Lessons Learned – What not to do
9:30–10:30
Answering the Big Question: Virtual, In-Person, or Hybrid
Are we back in person yet? Learn from Tim Valentine as he shares the fundamental questions and exploration needed to decide how best to proceed in this current and future environment. You’ll also receive advice on how to best implement virtual, in-person and hybrid experiences based on your decision and what resources and technology that is most supportive of your choice.
10:45–11:45
Making the Big Splash – Signature Events, Unique Experiences, and Spirit!
We all need that game-changing event experience that has alumni coming back for years to come, right? Well, here we will share these most memorable experiences that provided alumni with a lasting experience that brought them back for years to come. To help accommodate all our institutions, we will divide into two groups to discuss best practices, ideas, and experiences to help capture the attention, energy, and bragging rights of our alumni!
11:45 AM–1:15 PM
Lunch on your own
1:15–2:15
The Power of the People - Volunteer Management
No matter the size of your team and budget, no homecoming and reunion experience is feasible without the support of your strongest advocates and leaders – volunteers! Learn why you need volunteers, how to manage their expectations for a successful weekend all while uncovering the best practices and basics of volunteer management.
2:30–4:00
Best Practices 101
Come prepared to both learn and share your Best Practices on these opportunities within Homecoming and Reunion Experiences. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in two roundtable discussions topics.
Affinity Experiences
Class Engagement
Integrating Students
Working with Faculty/Deans
4:15–5:00
Setting Goals and Measuring Success
Was your event a success? Really though, was it? How do you know and show that all your hard work and effort paid off as a success? Learn how to set up metrics, track your success, and determine goals that will be able to show you and your campus how you successfully managed your Homecoming and Reunion experience. As a bonus, we will share what information you need to measure for your chance to capture those coveted CASE Grand Gold Awards!
5:00 PM
Conference Adjourns for the Day
Dinner on your own (sign-up sheets for dine-arounds available)
8:30–9:30 AM
Continental Breakfast / Ask the Experts: The Art of the Pivot: How to stay sane while adapting
9:30–10:30
Elective Sessions: Power of Partnerships (choose one):
Power of Partnerships: Marketing & Communications
Power of Partnerships: Fundraising
10:45 AM–12:00 PM
Bringing it Home
We will use this time to work collaboratively through your take home worksheet and present out to the attendees on your new/enhanced program idea for your next homecoming and reunion weekend
