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4C | Don't Guess Who's Coming To Dinner: The Art and Science of Academic Event Planning 

Tuesday, Sept. 26
4:00 - 5:00 PM

Sector
The information can be used in any non-profit/fundraising industry

Experience Level
Suitable for all levels

Shop Size
Suitable for any size shop

Category
Events

 Do your events sometimes feel like “The Never Ending Story”? Do you need to turn the same annual event into an “Affair to Remember”? Come explore the art and science of planning an event.

Whether your event is a dinner for six or a gala for 600, having a strategic plan will ensure that it runs smoothly, that you stay on or under budget, and that your event goals are met and your guests have a meaningful experience. With a nod to Hollywood, learn to incorporate meaningful messaging, tangible measurements and artistic flair into your event, from beginning to end. This presentation will provide tips for managing speakers and keeping your program on track, and of course, the importance of having a back-up plan. The discussion will end with some real-life event surprises to see how you would have handled them.

 

Jenn Robinson

Jenn Robinson joined the Advancement team at George Mason University in July 2010 as the Campaign Programs Assistant. Since then, she has served as the Assistant Director of Donor Relations, Associate Director of Special Events and is currently the Director of Advancement Programs, where she oversees donor cultivation and stewardship events, creates programming for Mason's volunteer leadership and serves as the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations' liaison to the Office of the President. Prior to her work at George Mason, she was the Community Relations Coordinator for her state senator, where she was responsible for fundraising and stewardship events, as well as outreach to and stewardship of donors and volunteers. She has also worked as a telecommunications paralegal and was a Senior Officer for MBNA America Bank (now Bank of America).

Jenn is a graduate of the George Mason University School of Law, and holds a BA in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Delaware, and a paralegal certificate from Georgetown University. She earned her certification as a Strength-Based Education Specialist from the Gallup Corporation in 2015. Jenn has presented for CASE District III and ADRP (regionally and nationally). Jenn is very active in her community, and serves on the board of directors for DC Urban Greens, a non-profit urban farming organization dedicated to providing fresh produce to areas within Washington, DC designated as food deserts by the USDA, and also serves on the board of directors of the Northern Virginia Urban League. She serves as chair of the local high school's annual chorus fundraiser and is active in her local Parent/Teacher Associations.