Posts Tagged ‘Event planning’

Education Reform Convenings

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

May 20-24, 2011 in Alexandria, Virginia
May 20-24, 2010 in Denver, Colorado
May 28-June 1, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 3-5, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois

Ginger Donnan Events organizes the logistics for Public Interest Projects’ National Communities for Public Education Reform Convenings. Three hundred parents, students, education organizers, advocates and allies to deepen relationships among those committed to advancing education justice and to strategize about opportunities to link education justice policy reforms and campaigns. We handle the online registration, individual attendee communications, rooming and travel arrangements, meeting needs, airport transfers, and all vendor relations.

Learning Circle

Small Group Work

Highlights of the convenings include local site visits:

Site Visit to Capitol

Site Visit with Mike Kromrey (Smaller)

and performances by local entertainers:

Cafe Cultura

Debajo del Agua

Feedback

Link to a blog post by 2011 attendee Tina Dove, National Director of the Opportunity to Learn Campaign

From Melinda Fine, Director, Communities for Public Education Reform, Public Interest Projects, May 2011:
Ginger Donnan Events is an event planning firm extraordinaire.  Since 2008, Ginger has masterfully managed the planning process for the annual conference of Communities for Public Education Reform, a thirty million dollar funding initiative that annually convenes some 300 national education leaders, community groups, and funders from around the country.  In the months leading up to our recent conference, we relied on Ginger to manage every possible logistical element (venue identification, participant registration, travel and hotel accommodations, entertainment and food selection, room set-up, budget planning and tracking); we were thrilled with the results.  On site, she and her team were unflappable and resourceful in solving any problems that arose, allowing our staff to focus our attention where it needed to be. Ginger is terrifically well-organized, thorough, attentive to every last detail, and on top of it all, an absolute pleasure to work with.  We look forward to having her plan our conference next year, knowing we’ll be in exceptionally good hands.

From Julie Kohler, Director of Education & Civic Engagement, Public Interest Projects, 2008-2010:
Ginger Donnan’s handling of these events is nothing less than stunning. Not only does she attend to every detail flawlessly, but she also makes all of our participants feel so important and respected. The professionalism she brings to these events is an important validation of their work, and the fact that she has become, to many of our grantees, an extension of our staff team, is a testament to her warmth and compassion.Julie Kohler, Director of Education & Civic Engagement, Public Interest Projects, 2008-2010


Photo credit: Cara Fandel

Emily’s Live Blog

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

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By Emily Collier

Being the 2nd day of the CPER convening, today was a very busy day! We started the morning by going around to each room making sure that it was set up correctly for guest speakers. The Ginger Donnan Events staff wanted to make it easy for their clients to be able to come in and be ready to go with their presentation. And they were able to do just that!

Throughout the morning there were several “break-out” meetings that people could choose from. Keeping up with each break-out room’s location was a key part of my job today so that I could help direct people to where they wanted to go.

Today, I observed what goes into “securing the area” when CPER’s keynote speaker, Arne Duncan the Secretary of the Department of Education, came to speak during lunch. I was so glad that things went well with his arrival, his time speaking, and also with his departure.

From all that happened today from setting up rooms, directing people, and checking in guest speakers, the most important thing that I learned was how working as a team can lead to great success in making the whole experience of an event run smoothly. No doubt communicating through walkie-talkies is a huge component in this well-oiled machine, Ginger Donnan Events is on top of their game when it comes to being prepared to do whatever it takes to satisfy their clients.

Emily’s Live Blog

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

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by Emily Collier

The big day is here! The day Ginger Donnan Events has been planning for months has finally arrived– The 4th Annual CPER Convening! My adrenaline began to run high as the check-in time grew closer. It was my job to check people in, give them their name tags, along with folders and any other information they may need for the next few days of the convening.

It was great to meet people and to see how excited they were for this event. It was especially rewarding to hear their positive responses they had for the activities that were going on. One activity (that was my personal favorite!) was The Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project. The women were energetic and the music was great to dance to!

Even though I became involved only a week ago, I have really enjoyed seeing how all the preparation has turned out for this event.

Emily’s Live Blog from the 4th Annual CPER Convening

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

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by Emily Collier

Yesterday was my first day on-site at the 4th National CPER Convening in Alexandria, VA. Starting the day at 7:30 a.m., I was excited about meeting the clients and for the busy day ahead of me. I really began to feel like an event planner when we were faced with an unexpected event; however, we were able to quickly come up with a solution. Along with learning the lay of the land, I was also helped with the final preparations – stuffing folders, putting easels together, and checking on rooms to make sure they were set up correctly with everything the client requested.

Though I will admit I was a little nervous for our dinner with the clients, I will say that it was a lot of fun. Clients are Ginger Donnan Events’ number one priority and to see them relaxed and happy the night before the beginning of an event, especially as big as the CPER Convening, is a great thing! Because of the efficient way Ginger Donnan Events handles planning events, clients are able to relax and have nothing to worry about!

I look forward with excitement for what I will learn today!

You’re Invited

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

by Ginger Donnan

It’s almost the spring event season, which means we’re working on invitations galore. Looking for a gala dinner to attend? Consider Autism Speaks’ Face-Off for a Cure on March 21 or their Tri-State Corporate Committee’s Inauguaral Gala on April 15:

Invitation pg 1

For the more education-focused, we have The Newmark School’s Annual Art Show on May 6, which is open to the public for a mere $25 per person (wine, cheese and incredible art viewing included). 

Although we have law firm and pharma meetings, two education conferences and two human rights conferences coming down the pike, those are by invitation only, sorry!

But stayed tuned for invitations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s NJ Light the Nights in autumn!