Chapter Chat: Hokie Nation Networking

Hosted by: Ginny Ritenour, Chapter Program Coordinator, with guests Gwen Harrington, Director of Alumni Relations for

Sponsorships, Young Alumni, and Travel, and Katie Marquis, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

December 10, 2014

What is Networking?

Networking is the development and maintenance of mutually valuable relationships

Why is Networking Important?

• Networking is the #1 way to find a job• Over 60% of job opportunities are

obtained through networking• Relationships are the catalysts for success

Hokie Nation Networking

1. Professional Networking Events

2. General Networking Events

3. Hokie Nation Network

Professional Networking Events

• Geared toward a specific industry

• Generally hosted by the Alumni Association

• Sponsored events

Networking Event Featuring Finance• Arlington, VA, Sobe Bar and Bistro• Three corporate sponsors

General Networking Events

• Requirement for Outstanding Chapter Award

• Can take a variety of formats – not a “one size fits

all” approach

• Geared toward all alumni

• Denver Chapter example

• Other examples?

Tips for Success

• Host an after-work networking event and utilize chapter members to facilitate conversations

• Host table discussions with chapter volunteers to facilitate

• Host a short panel event

• Other ideas?

Business Cards

• Have participants drop business

cards in a bowl for a raffle prize

• Send to VT Alumni Association at: Virginia Tech Alumni Association, Holtzman Alumni Center (0102), c/o Katie Marquis, 901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061, fax to 540-231-3039 or email scanned copies to kmarquis@vt.edu.

Hokie Nation Network • www.alumni.vt.edu/hnn

• Online resource

• Job listings, LinkedIn, webinars,

alumni directory, etc.

•  Alumni Career Resources Program

• Nancy Brittle at nbrittle@vt.edu

Sponsorships

• To help subsidize the cost of various alumni programs, the Virginia Tech Alumni Association is seeking partnerships with quality national corporations. 

• A corporate sponsorship of an alumni networking event provides an excellent opportunity for companies to advertise a product or service, and recruit from a talented group of Hokies. 

• For more information, contact Gwen Harrington, Director of Alumni Relations.

 

Sponsorships

 

Corporate Sponsorship Benefits: • Company logo included in media advertising the event (including

alumni emails)• Company logo included on the Virginia Tech Magazine Sponsor

Page:  Bronze level• Company logo on event webpage• Opportunity for company display, signage, giveaways, and

brochures displayed at event (materials provided by company)

Questions and Dialouge

• What has worked for your Chapter?

• Has anything not worked?

• Other questions/thoughts/feedback?

Upcoming Chapter Chats • January 10th, 2015 @ noon – Planning Speaker

Events, Greg Fansler and Jordan McCauley

• February 10th, 2015 @ noon – Planning Community

Service Events, Kelly McCann and Katie Marquis

• March 10th, 2015 @ noon – Broadening Audiences

for Increased Engagement, Debbie Day

Contact us!

Gwen Harrington, Director of Alumni Relations for Sponsorships, Young Alumni, and Travelgwenh@vt.edu, 540-231-6285

Ginny Ritenour, Chapter Program Coordinatorginnyrit@vt.edu, 540-231-6285

Katie Marquis, Assistant Director of Alumni Relationskmarquis@vt.edu , 540-231-6343 

Contact us!

• www.alumni.vt.edu

• www.facebook.com/virginiatechalumni

• www.twitter.com/vt_alumni