Program
The Special Events in Advancement conference is scheduled for June 16-18, 2024. Registration opens at Noon (local time) on June 16 and the conference will adjourn at Noon on June 18.
Sunday, June 16, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET
Conference Registration
Welcome to DC! Stop by the registration desk beginning at 12:00 p.m. to check in and pick up your conference materials.
Plenary
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM ET
Welcome and Opening Plenary
Join us to meet the chair and faculty team, learn about our group of attendees, and discuss how to get the most out of your time in DC.
Speakers: Shelley Baumgarten, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement, The Hill School, Dusti Cermak, Executive Director, Events, University of Iowa Center for Advancement, Richard Farias, Director of Annual Giving, Alamo Colleges District, Natalie Ross, Senior Director of Alumni Events and Programs, University of Maryland College Park, Jenn Wright, Director of Events and Programming, Davidson College
Elective Session
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM ET
Commencement Reimagined
Commencement had been evolving at UAlbany for several years as we saw shifts in graduate and audience behavior, institutional priorities, and event trends. Then COVID-19 hit, and UAlbany’s Office of University Events was tasked with creating a safe and meaningful in-person event amid a global pandemic. Commencement was reimagined, and the result was a unique and intimate experience focused on grads and their families that combined innovative ideas with traditional pomp and circumstance. The success of that experience has forever changed the landscape of UAlbany’s Commencement activities, and 2022 saw the debut of our school and college-based Stage Crossing Celebrations in the place of ceremonies, an improved version of our University-wide undergraduate degree conferral ceremony, and an institutional culture shift.
In this session, we will share our story and offer scalable takeaways and actionable ideas applicable to not only academic ceremonies but all types of university events. We will address event logistics and communications, faculty/staff participation and management, academic protocol, health and safety, customer service, graduate/family and faculty/staff feedback and ideas, financial management, data/metrics/ROI, leadership/change management, and more. We hope to inspire you and your institution to reimagine your Commencement!
In this session, we will share our story and offer scalable takeaways and actionable ideas applicable to not only academic ceremonies but all types of university events. We will address event logistics and communications, faculty/staff participation and management, academic protocol, health and safety, customer service, graduate/family and faculty/staff feedback and ideas, financial management, data/metrics/ROI, leadership/change management, and more. We hope to inspire you and your institution to reimagine your Commencement!
Speakers: Christine Doyle, Director, University Events, University at Albany
Competencies: Relationship BuildingStrategic Thinking
Experience Level: All Levels
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM ET
Creating Temporary Worlds to Engage Donors and Alumni
Attention campers! How a pop-up summer camp harnessed the power of experiential events to re-engage donors and alumni.
Experiential. Immersive. Activation. We’ve all heard these terms around the event world but they are more than just buzzwords. What do they mean and how can they inform event strategy? What kind of budget do you need? What key moments take an event from ho hum to humming? How do you get buy-in from leaders, donors and alumni?
We’ll break down the buzzwords, tackle those questions and walk away with a simple framework to bring elements of experiential to your own event portfolio. We’ll also learn how, with a modest budget, VCU incorporated experiential, immersive and activation elements into a pop-up summer camp that celebrated giving and built affinity through a new and unexpected shared experience.
Speakers: Ashley Burton, Executive Director of Signature Events and Experiences, Virginia Commonwealth University
Competencies: Relationship BuildingStrategic Thinking
Experience Level: Level 3All Levels
Elective Session
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM ET
Resonant for All: How Harvard Reimagined Its Scholarship Celebrations
Do scholarship recipients owe donors their stories? Is it the institution’s or the student’s responsibility to steward donors? What is higher education’s role in ethical storytelling? Questions like these, in concert with this important moment in time for our industry—when admissions policies and the cost of education are creating debate and disruption—signal a necessity to evaluate scholarship recognition practices and reconceptualize scholarship celebrations.
In this session, learn how Harvard University audited and reimagined its annual scholarship event to create an experience that put students and donors on equal footing, allowing them to come as their whole selves, while achieving the goals of the organization and its administration. From discovery, to strategy, to execution, to post-event analysis—learn which adjustments worked, which didn’t, and what Harvard learned in its first year of offering this reimagined event.
In this session, learn how Harvard University audited and reimagined its annual scholarship event to create an experience that put students and donors on equal footing, allowing them to come as their whole selves, while achieving the goals of the organization and its administration. From discovery, to strategy, to execution, to post-event analysis—learn which adjustments worked, which didn’t, and what Harvard learned in its first year of offering this reimagined event.
Speakers: Kara Cafasso, Director of Events, Havard University, Jessica Miller, AVP, Strategic Initiatives, Level5 Events, Michael Preston, EVP, National Accounts, Level5 Events
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingIndustry or Sector Expertise
Elective Session
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET
Thinking Outside the Box-Elevating Events to Unique Philanthropic Experiences
Looking for a fresh way to engage and celebrate top level donors? Donor Appreciation events are ever evolving and moving the needle to make these events impactful while celebrating the philanthropy of donors can pose a challenge. Join colleagues from Clemson University's Office of Central Donor Relations as they share how a rebrand of their cumulative giving society recognition program, the 1889 Societies, prompted a brand new multi-day Celebration of Philanthropy donor experience. Walk through the steps taken to plan the elevated donor weekend experience that included an Alumni Holiday Shopping Fair, Cocktail Hour with college deans and administration, full day of ten donor impact track experiences, celebration gala, and football tailgate. Learn about involving campus partners to assist in executing unique donor impact tracks. Walk through strategy to elevate your celebration gala to be more than just dinner, dancing, and drinks. Take away ideas that will help you to plan and execute a donor experience that is engaging on multiple levels and in various modalities so that donors leave feeling not only appreciated but see a true measure of the impact of their gifts.
Speakers: Jennifer Sanders, Director of Donor Programming, Clemson University, Ansley Caldwell, 1889 Societies Program and Events Manager, Clemson University
Competencies: Relationship BuildingStrategic Thinking
Experience Level: All Levels
Elective Session
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET
Unleash Your Dream Team: Transform Students Into Powerhouse Ambassadors!
In the fast-paced realm of Advancement, the demands are soaring, and your team faces a pivotal choice – burnout or build. Picture this: limited budget, no room for team expansion. What's your move? Join our dynamic conference session for an exhilarating dive into unleashing your hottest commodity - students! Learn innovative strategies to harness their potential, lighten your workload, showcase their talent, and cultivate super alum ambassadors, steering your institution towards an unstoppable future. It's time to transform challenges into opportunities – ignite the power within your team and set the stage for success! 🔥 #TeamTransformation #StudentPower #InstitutionalSuccess
Speakers: Jihan Lang, Director, Institutional Advancement and Campaign Events, Spelman College
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingRelationship Building
Experience Level: All Levels
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
Networking Reception
Join conference speakers and your colleagues to network and socialize after the first day of the conference. Drinks and light appetizers will be provided.
6:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
Conference adjourns for the day
Dinner on your own OR optional small group dinners; sign-up required
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