From themed reunions to career networking for recent graduates, there are all kinds of good alumni event ideas that can help bring everyone together. These can serve as a way to engage alumni and encourage continued connection, support and community.
Established professionals can also engage in new networking opportunities or even serve as mentors to current students. They can share their achievements and lessons learned in their careers and provide guidance for students who aren’t sure of their next step.
You can also host alumni meetups to raise funds for your college or university, making them beneficial for everyone involved. No matter what your needs and goals may be, there are several different ways to host an alumni event and ensure it’s a success.
Keys to a Successful Alumni Event
A lot of planning and attention to detail goes into planning a successful alumni event. From choosing the right venue type to meeting attendees’ needs, there are several aspects to consider when hosting.
Here are four key steps to help you get started:
1. Create an Overall Objective and Plan
Before getting too involved in the details, make sure you have an overall objective and plan for your alumni event. Determine what kind of gathering this will be — maybe your goal is educational, networking-focused or fundraising. Consider the needs and preferences of your institution as well as the alumni who will attend. Having a clear purpose will ensure you effectively reach alumni and get them involved and interested in the event.
2. Plan the Details
After you’ve established your objective, it’s time to plan all the details. You can choose to host your alumni event at the institution or at another venue nearby. Determine the timeline and what you’ll include, including a list of any speakers or presentations.
Have an organizational committee or group of committed volunteers that you can designate roles and tasks to. For example, you’ll need someone to promote the event and someone else to handle all of the catering. Have regular check-ins with all volunteers to track progress and anticipate possible obstacles.
Create a budget to determine how much to spend on speakers, food, decorations, entertainment and marketing materials.
3. Market Your Event
Once you have everything planned, it’s time to promote the event and ensure it reaches alumni. There are several ways you can do this, ranging from traditional advertising like letters or brochures in the mail to organizing events on social media sites like Facebook, where guests can view all the event details and RSVP. You can also post it on your institution’s website and keep attendees updated with emails or social media posts.
Keep an updated list of expected attendees, including any guests they intend to bring, to have an accurate count for catering and seating.
4. Host the Alumni Event and Follow Up
Working with an event planner and organizing committee will ensure the event goes smoothly from start to finish. Have a timeline and plan for how you want the day to go, as well as designated individuals to handle everything from check-in to tear down.
When the event is over, follow up with the attendees and determine what they thought went well and what could be improved. Use this feedback to plan an even better event in the future.
College Alumni Event Ideas
Not sure what type of alumni gathering you should host? Here are a few alumni networking event ideas to help get you started:
- Career networking: A career networking event is especially beneficial for those starting their professional lives or interested in a career switch. Alumni will have the opportunity to connect with others in their current or chosen field and learn more about job opportunities or industry trends that could impact their careers.
- Themed event: From sports-related to playful beach or decades-themed, there are all kinds of possibilities for creating an event that engages attendees. Everything from the invitations to décor to the dress code can center around your chosen theme to really draw alumni in.
- Mentorship-focused: Current students, as well as recent graduates, will find a mentorship-focused event appealing. You could have break-out groups for different industries so individuals have a chance to connect with professionals, be mentored and schedule check-ins or follow-ups.
- Fundraising: If you’re looking for a way to bring alumni together and contribute toward something meaningful, a fundraiser is the perfect solution. Whether you host a walk or bake sale, fundraising events can be a great way to connect former and current students.
Why You Should Cater Your Alumni Event
No matter what kind of alumni event you’ll be hosting, providing food is one of the best ways to garner interest in your event and keep everyone full and satisfied, especially if attendees have to travel or the event will last several hours. The right food can help set the mood and create a welcoming environment where alumni can connect and network.
Instead of having to handle meal planning, preparation, cooking and serving yourself, turn to catering experts to make mealtime quick and simple. They’ll create a menu that fits your needs and budget and handle all of the prep work for you, taking one thing off your to-do list. Trusting the event’s food to a professional also makes it easier to accommodate a wider range of dietary needs and preferences.
Choose Apple Spice Catering
With Apple Spice Catering, you can make sure your next alumni event is a success. We’ve specialized in delicious meals made from premium ingredients for more than 30 years. When you trust the experts, you’ll have access to quality customer service to ensure all of your meals are ordered, delivered and delicious.
Choose from:
- Box lunch: Our boxed lunches will provide alumni with an individual meal designated just for them. Our all-in-one lunches offer a delicious, nourishing meal consisting of sandwiches, wraps, salads and treats. The entire order is conveniently packaged inside each box and labeled so everyone knows exactly which box is theirs.
- Hot and cold catering: Whether you need a meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner, we can provide you with a catering menu that has something for everyone. With options ranging from sandwich platters to BBQ dishes, you’ll be able to create a restaurant-like experience at your alumni event.
No matter the size or needs of your alumni event, have peace of mind knowing your meals will be delivered right and on time. Our corporate catering experts will do what it takes to ensure everyone enjoys a tasty, satisfying meal. View our locations and menus and reach out today to get started.
