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Deconstructing A GalaBest Practices from the Field
Vince A. Sales
July, 21 2016
Presentation to California Universities Event Planners Summit
2016
Set Your Priorities• What do you want to communicate about the
University? What is the guest experience?• Location/time: University Union Ballroom, spring break
– Transform space with draping, lighting, music, smiles and sequins/beads
• Reinforce brand/personality of the University: swag (CD from School of Music, Tickets to student production of Avenue Q)
• Theme: Forever Green & Gold– Legacy messaging
• How much do you want to raise?– Budget & financial benchmarks: ~30% rule
Event Format & Program• Black-tie/formal event• Guest experience–Champagne reception (on a CSU
budget)–Featured Grammy-nominated
strings faculty–Sit-down dinner and bestow
honors, recognize student recipients–Café style dessert bar and coffee
cart–Dancing to live band
Event Committee• External Committee• Internal Project Team-integrated
Advancement model
Campus-Wide Partnership• Epicure/Catering
Local wine/alumni wine• Public Safety• Parking• Academic Affairs/colleges
Tickets to Avenue Q• Student Affairs/Career
Center Student involvement Demonstrate impact
• Public Affairs/Advocacy
Corporate Sponsorships• Visibility/exposure; celebration; student
presence/success• Secure support well in advance of event
(sold-out!) Wells Fargo-video Western Health Advantage-alumni
speaker Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra
Region-video VSP Global-video Sand Hill Global Advisors SMUD
Student Involvement
• Performers• Greeters• Table
hosts/leaders• Dinner etiquette
& networking• Dinner service• Graphic design
Get the Right People in the Room
Fund the Need
Integrated Communications • Social Media
• Website, Sac State Magazine, Torchlight
• Save-the-date; invitations
• Capital Public Radio
• Sacramento Bee
• Sacramento Magazine
Alumni Engagement
Dancing—Make it Fun!
Signature Cocktail, Coffee Cart & Deserts
—Be Different!
Questions?