Event Checklist Advancement

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Event Checklist for Advancement Events

 Strategy
o What is this event trying to accomplish?
o Who are you trying to target?
o How does it fit into the strategic plan for your region?
o Is this event scalable? Could it become an event series/road show for several locations?

 Date, time, location of event


o What is the date of the event? Suggested Location?
o What time best suits an event of this nature?
o How do local trends, traffic, travel habits, and workdays affect the timing of this event?

 Size of event
o Ideal number for optimum guest experience and to achieve UW goals
o Physical capacity of space, amount of available seating, comfort of hosts (when event
held in private homes)
o Budgetary limitations

 Budget and Timeline


o Who will cover what portion of costs? Who approves?
o Who will perform which logistical arrangements (i.e. catering, rentals, valet, etc. Note:
Typically if the UW is paying full costs, the UW will make all catering arrangements.)
o What deadlines must be established to ensure that event plans continue smoothly?
How will anticipated travel and other conflicts impact those deadlines?

 Guest List
o What criteria will be used to determine invitation list?
o Who pulls data from Advance?
o Is it an all-call, or a private donor event (involvement of Alumni group, or more
strategic)

 Invitations / Hold the Date / RSVP


o What is design concept in terms of shape, size, fold/no-fold, envelope/self-mailer, etc.
o What visual elements, imagery, logos, or color schemes do you want to use?
o When do we want the invitation to mail? What timeline does that deadline dictate for
other decisions and actions?
o Who is the contact for the RSVP?
o Is there a web link / landing page
o Are directions included?
Event Checklist for Advancement Events

 Catering / Food & Beverage


o Determine menu concept (light or heavy hors d’oeuvres? Meal served?)
o Any special themes relevant to the program?
o What items can the host provide and what items should the caterer bring including
plates, utensils, glasses, trash containers, and appropriate tables?
o Does host or venue have a preferred caterer? Is that caterer required or simply
preferred? Are other suggestions available in order to get comparison proposals?
o Can caterer provide beer and wine? If not, how will that be procured? Can host help
with that process? Is a temporary alcohol permit necessary?

 Physical set-up
o Where will reception be? Where will program be?
o Indoor or outdoor? Or both?
o If outdoor, is there a rain plan?
o Is there enough seating for program and/or dinner?
o Will all guests be able to hear in this set-up or is a small sound system required?
o Podium, mike or presidential seal? Branding?
o Where will catering be staged and served?
o Is there room for check-in table near entrance?
o Coat check needed? Where will it be?
o Are there any physical challenges presented by the space or the layout (steep hills, sight
lines for talk, etc.)?
o Housekeeping or grounds keeping necessary? (Pressure wash? Blow leaves?)

 Décor & Signage


o Will linens be required? Purple, Gold, Or simple white?
o Is any special signage required for the space?
o Any other needs for décor or special items like balloons or flags? UW décor?

 Sound / Music / AV
o Is house/venue sound system adequate?
o Is there ambient music? Who brings? Live music? Trio, piano, etc.
o Any AV augmentation for show & tell or presentation?

 Parking/Directional Signage/Security
o Is there sufficient parking space on property or around home for self-parking?
o Is a valet required due to insufficient space or other physical challenges presented by
the setting?
o Is there any signage needed in the area to denote event? At the house?
o Is any security needed during the event?
Event Checklist for Advancement Events

 Program
o Host or President’s role: welcome, introductions, wrap-up
o Ideas about good speakers and topics for this event
o Length and style of program
o Suggested speaking points to Jayma if Presidential speaking is necessary
o Is printed “Program” or “Menu” necessary?

 Photography/Media/Publicity
o Photographer for the event if necessary?
o Shot list, locations and time for anything formal or staged for publicity
o Lighting, or other setup requirements. Walk-thru prior to event.
o Local media or publicity?

 Registration / Welcome / Staffing


o Table, linen, branding needed?
o Who has guest list?
o Nametags? Blanks for on site?
o Any guest giveaways with arrival packet?
o UW promo pieces available? Who brings?
o How many staff needed for check in, welcome?

 Briefing Packet / Itinerary (2 weeks advance)


o Who does briefing packet? Itinerary?
o Notes on donors, strategic guests
o Evening program outline, introductions necessary
o Gift for the host

 Follow – up Post Event


o Thank yous
o Letters to strategic guests: send notes to Kathy Burke to help with personal notes from
the President and things that happened during the event. Also cc her on briefing
packet.
o Wrap Report: Successes, need to improve, final guest count, budget, etc.

 Additional Event Elements

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