Signature Events Gallery
Grand Opening: Academic and Laboratory Sciences Building
Submitted by: Miguel Ramirez
Broward College (Fort Lauderdale, FL
mramire1@broward.edu or 305-775-2086
On Tuesday, September 22, 2015, over 300 community and campus leaders, industry partners and students, gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Academic and Laboratory Sciences building at Broward College South Campus. Part of a weeklong celebration “Science at South” which included programming, seminars, ceremonies and catered functions, the event took six months to plan. A leadership team of ten collaborated with other College business units to develop strategy, design and optimize operations.
Submitted by: Miguel Ramirez
Broward College (Fort Lauderdale, FL
mramire1@broward.edu or 305-775-2086
On Tuesday, September 22, 2015, over 300 community and campus leaders, industry partners and students, gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Academic and Laboratory Sciences building at Broward College South Campus. Part of a weeklong celebration “Science at South” which included programming, seminars, ceremonies and catered functions, the event took six months to plan. A leadership team of ten collaborated with other College business units to develop strategy, design and optimize operations.
75 Years of Engineering at Duke
Submitted by: Quiana Tyson
Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University (Durham, NC)
qmm@duke.edu or 919-660-5263
This week-long celebration of 75 years of Duke Engineering that tied in the Board of Visitor Meeting with special faculty and student presentations, Alumni Award Dinner, a Family School Wide BBQ and a Gala Celebration. Events for alumni, donors, students, staff and friends of Duke University required nine months of planning and execution with a leadership team of fifteen. The day of the Family BBQ for 600, it rained all day, so the event was moved inside, and the spaces reconfigured to accommodate all the guest tables, food tables, beer vendors, DJ booth, Ice Cream Vendor, Student Project Space, Retro Games and the Photo Booth. Email communication to all participants let them know that the event would be happening rain or shine, and the event was hugely successful with greater than expected attendance.
Submitted by: Quiana Tyson
Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University (Durham, NC)
qmm@duke.edu or 919-660-5263
This week-long celebration of 75 years of Duke Engineering that tied in the Board of Visitor Meeting with special faculty and student presentations, Alumni Award Dinner, a Family School Wide BBQ and a Gala Celebration. Events for alumni, donors, students, staff and friends of Duke University required nine months of planning and execution with a leadership team of fifteen. The day of the Family BBQ for 600, it rained all day, so the event was moved inside, and the spaces reconfigured to accommodate all the guest tables, food tables, beer vendors, DJ booth, Ice Cream Vendor, Student Project Space, Retro Games and the Photo Booth. Email communication to all participants let them know that the event would be happening rain or shine, and the event was hugely successful with greater than expected attendance.
Anniversary Celebration: Cell and Developmental Biology
Submitted by: Einor Jacobsen
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
ejacob@umich.edu or 734-647-2773
Submitted by: Einor Jacobsen
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
ejacob@umich.edu or 734-647-2773
Division of Health Sciences Distinguished Speaker Series
Submitted by: Audrey Goodnight
University of Nevada, Reno (Reno, NV)
audreyg@unr.edu or 775-682-9143
Our Division of Health Sciences Distinguished Speaker Series brings campus and community together to foster a positive collaborative relationship with a focus on health. Registration for this free event was at capacity within two weeks of going public, adding new logistical challenges to the usual details of catering, décor and security. Tools such as Eventbrite and Open Table facilitated successful registration and check in of four overlapping events with different audiences as well as walk-up guests. The challenges of limited parking and access due to major construction were anticipated and overcome. Branded signage was bountiful and used to anticipate guest questions. Audio visual aspects of the event were choreographed and rehearsed well in advance to ensure optimal experience in the absence of stadium seating in the room. Presenters were scripted; audience announcements and introductions were prerecorded. Planning by one lead and two assistant planners began sixteen months in advance and with an onsite team of fifteen, the event accommodated an audience of 900 people.
Submitted by: Audrey Goodnight
University of Nevada, Reno (Reno, NV)
audreyg@unr.edu or 775-682-9143
Our Division of Health Sciences Distinguished Speaker Series brings campus and community together to foster a positive collaborative relationship with a focus on health. Registration for this free event was at capacity within two weeks of going public, adding new logistical challenges to the usual details of catering, décor and security. Tools such as Eventbrite and Open Table facilitated successful registration and check in of four overlapping events with different audiences as well as walk-up guests. The challenges of limited parking and access due to major construction were anticipated and overcome. Branded signage was bountiful and used to anticipate guest questions. Audio visual aspects of the event were choreographed and rehearsed well in advance to ensure optimal experience in the absence of stadium seating in the room. Presenters were scripted; audience announcements and introductions were prerecorded. Planning by one lead and two assistant planners began sixteen months in advance and with an onsite team of fifteen, the event accommodated an audience of 900 people.
Capital Campaign Kickoff Dinner
Submitted by: Janelle Musch
Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)
jnmusch@prf.org or 765.496.2160
All President’s Council Members ($1k annual), Alumni and Donor with a $500k+ wealth capacity. Local and state government officials and upper university administration.
On October 9, 2015 Purdue University launched the public phase of Ever True: The Campaign for Purdue University. With a goal of $2.019 billion, Ever True is the largest fundraising effort in Purdue history. The campaign spans July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2019; concluding in the University’s 150th anniversary year.
The Office of Special Events housed with the University Development Office led all aspects of the event from conceptualization to execution. With eight months of lead time, the team started planning, designing, and marketing the event. The process began with the initial challenge of finding appropriate venue space to ensure proper safety and fire codes where met. Although not designed for a high-end reception and dinner, the Recreation Sports facility met the safety needs. After months of meetings with the facility director, fire and safety and vendors and over the course of several days, large portions of the facility were adapted and transformed for registration, back of house, catering, reception and dinner locations.
It took shuttles, golf carts and more than 40 student and staff volunteers to move guests from hotels and parking to registration and reception and then be escorted to seats for dinner. During the program, guests were taken on an imaginative experience through lighting, live performances, and technical applications. The goal, theme and priorities of the campaign were revealed when Purdue President Mitch Daniels took the stage. The evening ended with the song Hail Purdue! and guests were invited to join the afterglow event with live music and dancing.
Through marketing, extensive planning and a collaborative spirit the event achieved high attendance with over 980 guests. The event successfully met the goals set forth by the Vice-President for Development and President Daniels, and all guests left with a smile and feeling of pride for Purdue University.
Submitted by: Janelle Musch
Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)
jnmusch@prf.org or 765.496.2160
All President’s Council Members ($1k annual), Alumni and Donor with a $500k+ wealth capacity. Local and state government officials and upper university administration.
On October 9, 2015 Purdue University launched the public phase of Ever True: The Campaign for Purdue University. With a goal of $2.019 billion, Ever True is the largest fundraising effort in Purdue history. The campaign spans July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2019; concluding in the University’s 150th anniversary year.
The Office of Special Events housed with the University Development Office led all aspects of the event from conceptualization to execution. With eight months of lead time, the team started planning, designing, and marketing the event. The process began with the initial challenge of finding appropriate venue space to ensure proper safety and fire codes where met. Although not designed for a high-end reception and dinner, the Recreation Sports facility met the safety needs. After months of meetings with the facility director, fire and safety and vendors and over the course of several days, large portions of the facility were adapted and transformed for registration, back of house, catering, reception and dinner locations.
It took shuttles, golf carts and more than 40 student and staff volunteers to move guests from hotels and parking to registration and reception and then be escorted to seats for dinner. During the program, guests were taken on an imaginative experience through lighting, live performances, and technical applications. The goal, theme and priorities of the campaign were revealed when Purdue President Mitch Daniels took the stage. The evening ended with the song Hail Purdue! and guests were invited to join the afterglow event with live music and dancing.
Through marketing, extensive planning and a collaborative spirit the event achieved high attendance with over 980 guests. The event successfully met the goals set forth by the Vice-President for Development and President Daniels, and all guests left with a smile and feeling of pride for Purdue University.
The Salem State Series presents Tom Brady
Submitted by: Taylor Dunn
Salem State University (Salem, MA)
tdunn@salemstate.edu or 978-542-7560
The Salem State Series was founded in 1982 as one of the first high-profile speaker series in the country, presenting world leaders, artists, athletes, and intellectuals to thousands of patrons each year. Through corporate and individual sponsorships, this community enrichment program is self-supporting. In 2015, the Salem State Series hosted New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, only 7 weeks after a contract was signed for the event. Anticipating this tight turnaround time, an action plan was developed without confirmation of final programming. In the ten days surrounding the speaker event, the four spaces utilized also hosted three commencement ceremonies, for a grand total of over 16,000 people. The Office of Advancement Events and Sponsorships was responsible for set up and logistics for all of these events.
Brady and his appearance at the Salem State Series made international news when just 30 hours prior to arriving on campus the Ted Wells ‘Deflate Gate’ report became public. His appearance at Salem State was his first opportunity to comment on the controversy and it was limited to those attending. There was an onslaught of media requests before, during and after the event, and the added national media interest and live broadcast coverage required an enhanced on-site management plan. Special efforts to make the speaker feel more comfortable, supported by extensive logistical planning resulted in successful execution of a program that remained true to its mission stakeholders.
Submitted by: Taylor Dunn
Salem State University (Salem, MA)
tdunn@salemstate.edu or 978-542-7560
The Salem State Series was founded in 1982 as one of the first high-profile speaker series in the country, presenting world leaders, artists, athletes, and intellectuals to thousands of patrons each year. Through corporate and individual sponsorships, this community enrichment program is self-supporting. In 2015, the Salem State Series hosted New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, only 7 weeks after a contract was signed for the event. Anticipating this tight turnaround time, an action plan was developed without confirmation of final programming. In the ten days surrounding the speaker event, the four spaces utilized also hosted three commencement ceremonies, for a grand total of over 16,000 people. The Office of Advancement Events and Sponsorships was responsible for set up and logistics for all of these events.
Brady and his appearance at the Salem State Series made international news when just 30 hours prior to arriving on campus the Ted Wells ‘Deflate Gate’ report became public. His appearance at Salem State was his first opportunity to comment on the controversy and it was limited to those attending. There was an onslaught of media requests before, during and after the event, and the added national media interest and live broadcast coverage required an enhanced on-site management plan. Special efforts to make the speaker feel more comfortable, supported by extensive logistical planning resulted in successful execution of a program that remained true to its mission stakeholders.
Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy Grand Opening
Submitted by: Debbie Wood
The University of Texas at Tyler (Tyler, Texas)
dwood@uttyler.edu or 903-566-7411
On Thursday, September 17, 2015, UT Tyler celebrated a building dedication and the establishment of the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy. Representing the first Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program in East Texas, UT Tyler pharmacy students are among the first in the nation to benefit from a curriculum designed exclusively around team-based learning.
This project was the result of overwhelming support from medical, business, political, philanthropic and university leaders throughout the region, including the Ben and Maytee Fisch Foundation and Brookshire Grocery Company.
The celebration for 350 guests was the result of three months planning and efforts by a team of five staff. Guests were greeted on arrival outside the building with music provided by the UT Tyler Wind Ensemble. The program in the atrium included donor recognition and ribbon cutting, and afterward, guests explored the new educational facilities during self-guided tours. The celebration concluded with a VIP luncheon at a secondary campus location.
The University of Texas at Tyler is part of the prestigious University of Texas System that includes eight universities and six health institutions located throughout the state. Founded in 1971, UT Tyler today enrolls nearly 9,000 students. Additional regional campuses are also maintained in Palestine and Longview, Texas. The University of Texas at Tyler is located approximately 100 miles east of Dallas and 100 miles west of Shreveport, Louisiana.
Submitted by: Debbie Wood
The University of Texas at Tyler (Tyler, Texas)
dwood@uttyler.edu or 903-566-7411
On Thursday, September 17, 2015, UT Tyler celebrated a building dedication and the establishment of the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy. Representing the first Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program in East Texas, UT Tyler pharmacy students are among the first in the nation to benefit from a curriculum designed exclusively around team-based learning.
This project was the result of overwhelming support from medical, business, political, philanthropic and university leaders throughout the region, including the Ben and Maytee Fisch Foundation and Brookshire Grocery Company.
The celebration for 350 guests was the result of three months planning and efforts by a team of five staff. Guests were greeted on arrival outside the building with music provided by the UT Tyler Wind Ensemble. The program in the atrium included donor recognition and ribbon cutting, and afterward, guests explored the new educational facilities during self-guided tours. The celebration concluded with a VIP luncheon at a secondary campus location.
The University of Texas at Tyler is part of the prestigious University of Texas System that includes eight universities and six health institutions located throughout the state. Founded in 1971, UT Tyler today enrolls nearly 9,000 students. Additional regional campuses are also maintained in Palestine and Longview, Texas. The University of Texas at Tyler is located approximately 100 miles east of Dallas and 100 miles west of Shreveport, Louisiana.