As virtual reunions are starting to take place, there is a pattern emerging: schools are building on their traditions when planning their virtual Reunion Weekend events. For example:

• Princeton University, the crème de la crème of all school reunions (after all, how many schools can boast that their reunion has its own Wikipedia page?)  held a virtual reunion in June in place of its ever-popular annual reunion celebration. The show-stopper was its virtual P-RADE.  Princeton cleverly orchestrated a virtual parade of the alumni classes by creating a lively slideshow of photos of alumni and their families  marching merrily in prior reunion parades. The virtual parade accomplished the goals of creating nostalgia and reconnections among their alumni while also generating momentum for alumni to return to campus in 2021 to celebrate their 2020 reunion in person.
• Johns Hopkins University held its virtual reunion in May. Among its many virtual offerings were a cooking demonstration on how to make hometown Maryland crab cakes and links to take-out/delivery options,  and a replay of the thrilling 9-8 victory against Duke in the 2005 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship. Alumni were able to nosh on their delectable delights while enjoying the riveting game and current commentary by the coach, players, and fans.

Building on your school’s traditions is great way to anchor your virtual reunion programming.  If you already hosted your school’s virtual reunion, share your experience and advice with us. We’d love to hear about it!

Have you completed our  survey yet?

Alumni and advancement teams are wondering what to do with their 2020 reunion cycles given the current conditions. Should they postpone, cancel altogether, or host a virtual reunion? If you haven’t already, complete our five-minute survey by Saturday, June 13, and be the first to receive its results.

For more information on how to facilitate a virtual reunion call  Margie at Reunions Reinvented. We are here to help!