ACADEMIC CONSULTATION

 
 

Does this sound familiar?

  • We want to start a new kind of event for our institution and we just need to be put on the right track.

  • We have done an event for many years and we are looking to refresh it or revamp it entirely.

  • Our staff can handle most of the event management responsibilities, but we need a little extra help and guidance. 

 
 

BEGIN WITH EXPERT EVENTS

THE CONCEPTION

Most academic institutions have a robust development office and are able to do the majority of their special events in-house.  A consultation on your event or series of events can be valuable in laying the foundation for all of the logistical work and ensuring all aspects of the event stay on track.


THE PLAN

We will arrange a contract where our level of involvement is tailored to your needs.  Consultations can be limited to half a day where Expert Events reviews where you are and makes recommendations, or consultations can also be more extensive where Expert Events provides recommendations and actions plan and will check-in to review at key points in the lead-up to the event.  

THE EXECUTION

Expert Events will work within the agreed upon guidelines to ensure our support work is ultimately contributing to the fulfillment of your event goals.  We are a firm believer in maximizing your use of the resources that you already have at your disposal.  We make sure that our involvement is a true asset to your team and not a redundancy.  

CLIENTS WHO HAVE BENEFITED FROM OUR SERVICES

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Full-day consulting session with internal planners for its 125th Anniversary. 

Session included goal setting, budget recommendations and estimates, determining a calendar of events, presentation on possible long-term collateral materials, and overall timeline for planning.

Los Angeles, CA

FORDHAM LAW SCHOOL

Two half-day consulting sessions, one with administrative staff and one with faculty and alumni Centennial committee representatives.

 Sessions included goal setting, budget recommendations and estimates, determining a calendar of events, presentation on possible long-term collateral materials, overall timeline for planning, and a collated report and recommendations.

New York, NY

BATES COLLEGE

Full-day consulting session with internal planners for it Sesquicentennial. 

Session included goal setting, budget recommendations and estimates, determining a calendar of events, presentation on possible long-term collateral materials, overall timeline for planning, and a final report with recommendations. 

Lewiston, ME

 

 

ACADEMIC STRATEGIC REVIEW

Does this sound familiar?

  • Our office has done special events the exact same way for years.  

  • Once our staff finishes an event and we have little or no time to evaluate how everything went before we are moving on to our next event.

  • I have some ideas of how special events could be improved at our institution, but I can't do everything myself and I'm concerned that directly voicing too much criticism will damage my day-to-day working relationships.

 

BEGIN WITH EXPERT EVENTS

THE CONCEPTION

Whether your institution executes a wide array of events each academic year or a few, an outside assessment provides a valuable perspective.  Our strategic review process allows you to re-think your organizational structure and your use of resources to better maximize efficiency and quality in your ongoing event planning work.   


THE PLAN

We conduct focused interviews of your key stakeholders, from your special events staff to the wider staff at the academic institution with whom the events staff interface, such as staff in cultural affairs, media, and the grounds and food service staff.  We also conduct research on peer institutions to provide information on how they are structured, what services they supply and how they supply them.  

THE EXECUTION

Following our information gathering, we will construct a detailed report of our findings and recommendations based on our over 25 years of experience in the event planning business and knowledge of industry standards.  We will meet with you to go through the report and assist in devising an action plan in moving forward with the recommendations.

Important to Note: Besides the considerable time involved, a key benefit of hiring an outside company to do this assessment work is that we can act as a buffer; individuals tend to be more honest and candid with someone with whom he or she does not need to worry about maintaining a good ongoing working relationship. 

CASE STUDY 

PACE UNIVERSITY

NEW YORK, NY

Expert Events has worked with Pace University for a number of years.  One service we have provided is a full strategic assessment of their special events office.  During this process, we conducted interviews with staff within the office and those who utilized its services.  We provided a complete analysis of staff effectiveness and efficiency of a multi-campus distribution of staff.  We also reviewed the space reservation procedures and made recommendations for implementing an on-line system.  To conclude, we provided a detailed report in which we presented the results of our research and offered three possible reorganization structures to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

 

 

ACADEMIC EVENT PLANNING

Does this sound familiar?

  • We have a milestone anniversary and/or capital campaign on the horizon and we need to do a different kind of event to celebrate this special occasion and out staff is already overworked keeping up with our current events calendar.

  • We are looking to organize a new, or restructure an existing, major academic conference. 

  • We soon will be celebrating the tenure of a retiring President and/or the inauguration of a new President. 

  • We are about to complete the construction of a new educational facility and are looking for a creative way to unveil its grand opening.

 

BEGIN WITH EXPERT EVENTS

THE CONCEPTION

From larger events like alumni weekend, to mid-sized events like an academic conference, to smaller events like an intimate retirement dinner for a distinguished faculty member, Expert Events will help to devise an event experience that is best suited to meeting your goals, maximizing your resources, and will be a celebration of your institutional character and grand tradition.

 
Seton Hall Law School, 50th Anniversary

Seton Hall Law School, 50th Anniversary

THE PLAN

We will work with your key staff to create action plans based on your goals.  We will provide detailed timelines and regular status reports to ensure that your event can afford to be ambitious, but achievable.  Our team will handle all event logistics from the largest details, such as sourcing vendors, creating collateral materials, and ensuring seamless registration, to the smallest details, such as making sure there are working outlets where equipment needs to be plugged in.  

University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering, Capital Campaign Closing Event

University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering, Capital Campaign Closing Event

THE EXECUTION

Our team will be on site to run all aspects of the event from load-in to load-out to ensure a smooth, successful, and memorable event experience.  We will produce a run of show that is detailed down to the minute, making our staff “the man behind the curtain,”  allowing your staff to concentrate on your donors, key alums, and honorary guests.                                      

 
Columbia University, 250th Anniversary

Columbia University, 250th Anniversary

CLIENTS WHO HAVE BENEFITED FROM OUR SERVICES

PACE UNIVERSITY

100th Anniversary

New York, NY

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

250th Anniversary and Inauguration of Current President.

New York, NY

DICKINSON COLLEGE

Capital Campaign Launch and Closing 

Carlisle, PA

Academic Event Planning Case Studies

Columbia University, 250th Anniversary Celebration

Columbia University, 250th Anniversary
Celebration

Columbia University, Inauguration of New President

Columbia University, Inauguration of New President

Columbia University, 250th Anniversary Celebration

Columbia University, 250th Anniversary Celebration

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

250th Anniversary:  Expert Events was hired to do the launch weekend for the 250th Anniversary for which we planned and executed multiple concurrent events over three days, which includes a campus-wide birthday celebration for 10,000 with student performances; a major donor event for 900 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to launch a PBS documentary on Columbia produced and directed by Ric Burns; a concert for 15,000 with light show and a performance by Wyclef Jean; an academic symposia and campus screenings of the documentary.  Additionally, we oversaw production of a student-produced film, publications, banners and signage. 

Locations:  Columbia campus, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Inauguration of New President: Expert Events managed concurrent academic symposia; a full academic procession with over 100 College and University Presidents and government and civic leaders; the VIP handling for then- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan; multiple performances; a reception on campus; and a formal dinner with entertainment at Lincoln Center.  We provided consultation, installation protocol, logistical management, stage management, and security oversight.

Locations: Columbia campus and Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center

SETON HALL LAW SCHOOL

SHU! (2).jpg

50th Anniversary Celebration:  Expert Events was hired to perform all the event management surrounding Seton Hall Law School's 50th Anniversary Celebration.  A central component of this was securing high profile speakers that would engage the wider Law School community.  Overall services included researching and contracting three featured speakers, working the NJPAC for set-up, green rooms, receptions following the presentations, travel and accommodations for the speakers (James Earl Jones, Maya Anjelou, Tim Russert), and stage management.  The final event brought 1,500 attendees to Seton Hall Law School's new building for a decade-by decade themed event where Expert Events handled logistics for all food, décor, and entertainment; video production; coordination with Newark government offices for mayor and representative presence and handling; stage management; as well as assistance with graphic design and production.

Subsequent Events: Following the Anniversary Celebration, Expert Events has assisted with annual reunion programming, including logistics and set-up for the Red Mass prior to the reception and dinner.

Locations:  New Jersey Center for the Performing Arts and Seton Hall Law School

Dickinson College

Capital Campaign:  Expert Events executed the Capital Campaign launch, regional roll out, and Campaign closing events for Dickinson College.  Our responsibilities included site selection for Campaign launch (350 attendees); overall event coordination and execution; assisted with production of CASE-recognized video; site and vendor coordination and management of regional events; planned and executed two on-campus events to close the Campaign, one for major donors that included the unveiling of a donor wall, a presentation by author David McCullough, a video, performances, and gala dinner.  There was also a subsequent event for students and alumni as an expanded reunion weekend with presentations and special entertainment.

Locations:  National Constitution Center(Philadelphia, PA), Delegates’ Dining Room at the United Nations (New York City, NY), The Italian Embassy (Washington, D.C.) Dickinson Campus (Carlisle, PA)

Pace University

Centennial Celebration:  Expert Events was hired to manage the multiple events surrounding Pace's Centennial Celebration which included lectures throughout the year; multi-campus birthday celebrations, a speech by former President Bill Clinton; an academic three-day conference on the fifth anniversary of 9/11; and a Commencement address by Senator George Mitchell.  Our event services included overall goal setting and planning, oversight of publications, production of video and banners, VIP handling, security, and stage management of all major events.

Subsequent Events:  Expert Events provided planning and execution of the first conference focusing on public/private partnerships for disaster resilience in New York City.  Panelists senior corporate and government leaders and a keynote address by former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge.  Currently, we are producing a second installment in this series.

Locations:  Pace campuses in Lower Manhattan, West Chester, White Plains, Radio City Music Hall

Dickinson College, Capital Campaign

Dickinson College, Capital Campaign

Pace+Centennial+Display+Graphic (1).jpg

Shenandoah University

Expert Events initially worked with Shenandoah University in 2017 as a strategic consultant, leading them through a goal setting process for their upcoming projects. Expert Events was hired again to produce the opening of the new James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center. Over 400 attendees raised funds for student scholarships while experiencing the Center and learning about the University through remarks, videos, and experiential entertainment provided by its Conservatory students and alumni.