NOON – 1:00 PM Conference Registration Welcome to St. Petersburg, FL! Stop by the registration desk beginning at NOON to check in and pick up your conference materials.
1:00 – 1:15 Opening Remarks and Introductions Join chair Rick Davis to meet the faculty and learn how to get the most out of your time at the conference.
1:15 – 2:30
Setting Institute Priorities – a customer-driven approach “If you have more than 3 priorities, you don’t have any.” – Jim Collins, Good to Great
Through facilitated roundtable discussions, attendees will jump start conference networking as well as enhance their industry knowledge through negotiating a consensus-based top 3 priorities (per roundtable) to be presented to all conference attendees for review. Using an online voting tool, attendees will determine the top 3 priorities for the Institute that will generate tailor-made faculty-led sessions. Note: Review full conference agenda in order to exclude session topics that will already be addressed.
2:45 – 4:00 2025 “It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.”―Winston S. Churchill
Whether engaged in a strategic plan, long term budget process, or a vigorous exercise with volunteer leadership it is essential for senior executives to scan beyond the current operating year and lead accordingly in the present. Looking too far in the future is counterproductive given constantly shifting demographics, market trends, technological enhancements and general consumer behavior. Session will deploy predictive modeling techniques to present a credible forecast that will help attendees strengthen their 5-year engagement outcomes.
4:15 – 5:30 Communicating Effectively with Recent Graduates “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”– George Bernard Shaw
Student leaders (set to graduate in May 2020) from local colleges and universities who represent sizeable and diverse populations of constituents will form a panel for an interactive session to glean perspectives aimed at cementing successful communication pathways leading to a more consistent and effective engagement from recent graduates. Attendee questions will be encouraged. Students will receive some topics in advance to ensure a more efficient discussion.
9:00 – 10:15 Priority #1 “My success, part of it certainly, is that I have focused in on a few things.” ― Bill Gates
Based on attendees’ choice, a deep dive into selected priorities will ensue. Faculty will dissect multiple parameters surrounding each priority and present a methodical exploration with substantive recommendations for consideration. Audience participation will be encouraged.
10:30 – 11:45 All-Institute Conversation with the President Steve Currall and Dr. Cheyenne Currall, University of South Florida In this cross institute joint session, we will explore the relationship between advancement and the president from a variety of angles. In a moderated conversation, Steven Currall, president of the University of South Florida, and Cheyenne Currall will discuss the president's expectations of his senior alumni relations, development, and marketing and communications officers, including what he looks for in hiring, what he needs from them as members of his executive team, and what he expects from them and their teams in their individual areas. We will also look at advancement and the presidency from the perspective of the president’s spouse.
11:45 AM – 1:15 PM Lunch and Roundtable Discussion Join your Alumni Relations, Communications & Marketing and Chief Advancement colleagues for lunch and facilitated conversation around issues facing leaders in advancement.
1:15 – 2:30 Integrated Advancement “Coming together is a Beginning; Keeping together is Progress; Working together is Success.”― Henry Ford
Whether formally structured as part of Advancement or not, alumni relations informs and contributes immensely to a successful advancement operation through a myriad of engagement pathways. Faculty will explore strategies to assist with keeping the alumni relations value proposition current and relevant within a construct of a holistic advancement model. Examples of how to ensure alumni relations staff can receive appropriate onboarding and continuous learning opportunities within the realm of fundraising, communication and general advancement will be provided.
2:45 – 4:00 Priority #2 Based on attendees’ choice, a deep dive into selected priorities will ensue. Faculty will dissect multiple parameters surrounding each priority and present a methodical exploration with substantive recommendations for consideration. Audience participation will be encouraged.
4:15 – 5:30 Priority #3 Based on attendees’ choice, a deep dive into selected priorities will ensue. Faculty will dissect multiple parameters surrounding each priority and present a methodical exploration with substantive recommendations for consideration. Audience participation will be encouraged.
5:30 Conference Adjourns for the day Dinner on your own
9:00 – 10:15 Goals - Key Performance Indicators – Net Promoter Scores - Engagement Scores: So much to measure, so little time. “If the metrics you are looking at aren’t useful at optimizing your strategy—stop looking at them.”― Mark Twain
While volunteer and university leadership can shape much of what is measured it is prudent for senior alumni relations professionals to maintain current competencies within this realm to ably lead and assist colleagues in determining the proper metrics for their respective institution. Framing measurement decisions with a how, what, why, when, where prologue will be explored. A review of visual dashboards that are simple yet effective is planned.
10:30 – 11:30 Online Engagement “You cannot buy engagement. You have to build engagement.” ― Tara-Nicholle Nelson
Unending technology enhancements are the catalyst that influences an overwhelming majority of our professional and personal interactions, brand loyalty decisions and overall “purchase” behaviors. Beyond social media platforms, opportunities exist to extend meaningful engagement experiences as well as enhance in-person alumni interactions. Choosing platforms is easy but developing the right virtual engagement strategy unique to your alumni population is essential to successful long-term online engagement. Session will provide brief overview of potential starter online pathways to consider along with a focus on maintaining fresh and relevant delivery vehicles that help deliver content that is inviting to a multi-generational alumni population.
11:30 AM – NOON
Final Questions and Closing Reflections All Faculty