For this edition, LaJauna Ellis sat down with Sgt. Hill of the Georgia Tech Police Department. Sgt. Hill assist faculty, students and staff across campus with the security side of special events.
Given that it’s fall and we are in the “sport’s spirit,” we can’t forget our great friends at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) and the wonderful event opportunities they offer. If you are looking for a space for an upcoming staff or department gathering, or hope to plan a meeting with a bit more fun and adventure, look no further than the CRC! Sara Warner, assistant director for Communications and Marketing at the CRC, shared some great information about how you can use the facility for your next successful event.
The Georgia Tech campus comes alive on game days. From Bobby Dodd Stadium to the Campus Recreation Center, the campus is crowded with students, alumni, and fans of all ages parked outside for tailgating. Which brings us to two big concerns of hosting an event on a game day: crowds and parking.
Are you ready to plan a sports-related event that will always have a winning score? Well, let’s get started with a few tips and pointers to make this dream a reality. The first thing to consider is timing, so you can plan your event around a sport that’s in season or perhaps a particular sporting event.
To join or not to join? To certify or not to certify? Maybe you’ve asked yourself these questions. Four panelists were on hand at the Event Coordinators’ Network’s workshop to provide answers. The organizations represented were the: Georgia Chapters of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI); Meeting Professionals International (MPI); National Association for Catering and Events (NACE); and International Special Events Society (ISES).
To start off the Event Coordinators’ Network 4th Annual Workshop: Rising to the Next Level with a bang, the Event Coordinator’s Council (ECC) organized and held a robust Vendor Showcase from 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Licensed and approved vendors with talents ranging from fun and funky giveaways, to culinary arts, to decorative items gave attendees a chance to visit and learn more about their services. The ECC highlighted lesser-known vendors this year, giving attendees a new and fresh look at goodies they can use to take their events to the next level.
This year, the Event Coordinators’ Network welcomed Jim Hooker, cofounder of Stewart and Hooker and former associate senior vice president for Cultural Relations and University Events at the University of Southern California.
In his keynote address, Mr. Hooker spoke about “Rising to the Next Level.” He reminded us that it does not take a large budget to create a great event and having a large budget does not guarantee success. An event becomes great when it maintains consistently high standards and makes an emotional connection with the guests.
The keynote speaker at this year’s Event Coordinators’ Workshop, Mr. Jim Hooker, expanded on his keynote address with a breakout session titled “Excellence Through Design and Décor.”
When creating an event, he advised, keep both the design (the overall purpose or theme of the room) and décor (the actual pieces) in mind at all times so they are in line with each other.
A successful event requires just as much behind-the-scenes work as décor and design consideration. At the Event Coordinators’ Network’s 4th Annual Workshop: Rising to the Next Level, one breakout session in particular, Policies and Best Practices in Meeting and Event Procurement, led by Ajay Patel and Sharon Jackson of Business Services, focused on that critical planning.
Last December, the newly renovated Historic Academy of Medicine at Georgia Tech reopened, and the venue has since been a flurry of activity. Shawn Stinson and Anne Minty share how they can partner with you to produce a successful event and why it’s okay to act like a duck at times.
