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Event Planning: McNamara Alumni Center 10th Anniversary Party

In 2010 McNamara Alumni Center added 3 new meeting rooms to our conference offerings. That year we also were celebrating our 10th anniversary. I decided to throw a party for our clients and invite them to see our new addition. I also wanted to demonstrate to our clients and colleagues that we understand them and their challenges. Partnering with Out of the Blue Creative and hiring a few Twin Cities actors, I helped write a 35-minute musical tribute to the wacky world of events with segments entitled: An Event Planner’s Many Hats, Last Minute Changes and CMP (Certified Meeting Planner) Calypso.  

 

Decorating McNamara in Springtime pastels, ceiling draping and sod table runners, I served as emcee of this Spring luncheon attended by nearly 200 event planners and industry members. Our musical tribute garnered a standing ovation!

 

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Event Planning: Sip, Nosh and Marvel--Swank Sales Event

In January 2017, I proposed the design of a new sales event to showcase the expertise of the McNamara Alumni Center and partner D’Amico Catering. This inaugural event was for Twin Cities meeting and event planners.

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I came up with the name SWANK and related branding for the party. With products and services from industry partners, our New York night club-inspired event included bouncers, red carpet, live and DJ music and a 20’ tall fringe lounge in our 90' tall Memorial Hall. Menu offerings included a raw bar and bubbly station, passed hors' doeuvres, and even hot chocolate and peppermint biscotti to go at the exits. To celebrate our Best High Tech Venue win from UniqueVenues.com, I implemented interactive party features (including Swank-branded selfie templates) offered through the app Blippar.

 

More than 250 guests attended Swank to sip, nosh and marvel.

 

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Event Planning: McNamara Alumni Center Annual Wedding Showcase

In 2009, frustrated by the limitations and cold leads at wedding fairs, I wanted McNamara to host its own wedding showcase. So, I invited D'Amico Catering to partner with me, promising that if they donated food and beverage for this free event, I would plan the party and get engaged couples to attend--and some to book. D'Amico agreed. I then went on to secure $30,000 of donated floral, décor, live music, dance lessons, make-up consultations and other bridal products and services. While planning the event, I also did the marketing, promoting it through our website, social media and some online advertising.

 

Our inaugural event was so successful that the McNamara Wedding Showcase became a popular annual event, averaging 350 guests each year (mostly engaged couples). Best of all, we averaged 3-6 bookings from each showcase while my annual out-of-pocket expenses were less than $10,000--excellent ROI. Patrick Fitzgerald, a D’Amico Catering event-planning veteran, wrote to me: "Amy, I can't think of a show we've participated in anywhere, ever, that was as successful. It's been the talk of our office.”

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