From vendors and colleagues to boards and volunteers, special event planners have a highly collaborative role. Join the faculty for an introductory panel and discussion on partnerships – the good, the bad, and the peculiar. All Tracks

In this session, you will learn about practical and data-driven strategies that have been proven effective in promoting collaboration and trust-building between event and development professionals, resulting in tangible outcomes. By sharing ideas, information, and perspectives about alumni, you can create a more effective engagement strategy for current and potential donors, providing them with unique, impactful, and donor-centric special events and experiences. Come learn how alumni relations and special events teams can identify major gift prospects for development. Advanced Track

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. Intermediate Track

See how the latest innovations are changing special events forever and engaging even the most strategic donors in new ways. Learn how organizations are leveraging personalization to engage strategic donors and analytics to meet goals. Clemson innovated their Homecoming weekend event experiences for donors with personalized digital purls for their top giving societies (up to $10 Million donors). They sent a unique invitation to each donor, a personalized reminder, and a weekend itinerary they could save to their phone. The results were incredible and deemed “a smashing success”. Key donors raved about the experience.
See examples of these experiences and where you could use them for special events. Intermediate Track

There are companies all over the globe that are renowned for their customer service, but none more so than the Disney Corporation. “Being Disney” takes careful planning, attention to detail, and most importantly the desire to make each person feel like you planned the event just for them. This session will explore key steps for creating magical moments. Foundational Track

For over 15 years, the Alamo Colleges’ only large fundraising event was more of a friendraiser: a brunch that garnered great community visibility but had low ROI and was not fully tied to the institution’s core mission. Then, in 2023, the Alamo Colleges launched its first ever signature fundraising gala, overcoming years of pandemic delays and institutional challenges, grossing over $800k for our Promise program. In early 2024, the gala raised $1.2 million. Find out more about how both events have evolved to complement each other, incorporating industry best practices and building on support from diverse constituencies in the community. Advanced Track

Let's look into the art of enhancing events through what the Davidson events team affectionately calls "Tiny Noticeable Touches," or "TNT." These subtle adjustments to details have the power to sweeten the guest experience, leaving a lasting impact. We'll explore creative ideas and examples that demonstrate how small gestures can make a big difference. From intentional menu design to unexpected accessibility accommodations, we'll showcase how these thoughtful touches can elevate any event, regardless of size or budget. Attendees will leave inspired with practical strategies for infusing their events with warmth, care, and a little TNT. Foundational Track

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. Advanced Track