Amy T. Leyden

Business Builder: McNamara Alumni Center

In 2000, three months before this 36,000-square-foot conference center opened on the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus, I was hired and handed a hard hat and blueprints. Task #1: Plan a three-day, grand-opening celebration for University alumni, faculty, students and donors. Task #2: Build an event business from scratch, opening for business the following Monday. The McNamara Alumni Center, an architecturally-stunning venue, is privately owned by both the University of Minnesota Foundation and the Alumni Association. For 22 years I ran this event business on their behalf. 

 

As the newly hired event manager in 2000, I purchased all conference furniture and AV equipment, researched and set up booking software, wrote contract language, managed the budget, and helped negotiate contract terms with caterers. Simultaneously, I answered RFPs, gave tours to prospective clients and made sales presentations. Oh, and I staffed the events, too.

 

As business grew, I hired staff and soon our small team was facilitating 800 meetings and events a year. For six straight years (2007-2012) our industry peers voted us Best Minnesota Meeting Facility (No Hotel). Under my leadership I implemented significant growth strategies: In 2005, I proposed replacing me with a new event manager to oversee operations so that I could focus on marketing and new business development. In that next year, we experienced a 64% increase in non- University revenue. In 2010, I restructured the sales team that resulted in a 41% increase in revenue. Margaret Carlson, former CEO of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association who hired me, graciously wrote “The great success of the McNamara Alumni Center’s operation is due to Amy's initiatives, skills and innovation.”

 

In 2022 I stepped down as team leader but remain on staff as a part-time employee continuing to market this beautiful venue.