Conference and Events Guide
What we do
What we do
Who we are
How we can help you
What we do
On a day-to-day basis, the Office of Conference & Event Planning is
responsible for planning and executing a yearly roster of large-scale
University events. Much of our work is in service to the Office of the
President. Generally, we plan and manage institutional events that are
hosted by the president—events that are a tradition at Northeastern and that
have a broad reach across multiple University constituencies. For example,
some of the events that we help to plan and manage are the President’s
Welcome Reception for New Faculty and Staff, the Co-op Partner Awards event,
the President’s Annual Holiday Reception, the President’s Aspiration Awards,
the Diversity Recognition Awards, and the President’s Year-end Faculty and
Staff Appreciation Barbecue.
We also serve as advisers to the University community on how to plan and
produce a meeting, reception, conference, or event: small or large, simple
or complex.
In the past, for example, we have planned events in conjunction with the
Office of the Provost, the undergraduate colleges, the Division of
Cooperative Education, the Office of Government Affairs and Community
Relations, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Human Resources
Management, Affirmative Action and Diversity, the Office of the Board of
Trustees, and the Commencement Office, to name a few.
Any event at Northeastern, however small or large, is a reflection of
professional standards at the University. Therefore, you are welcome and
encouaged to seek the advice of the Office of Conference & Event Planning,
and we look forward to working with you on your event.
The Conference & Event Planning staff—Kathy Newberry, Joanne Durham, and
Suzanne Feeley—is a team of event professionals with more than 50 years of
combined expertise in event management. Our backgrounds encompass event
planning in the academic, health-care, and private sectors, as well as
facility management and catering. We’re part of the Marketing and
Communications team, which also includes Public Relations, Creative
Services, Marketing, The Voice and Northeastern University Magazine. There
is a wealth of resources available in Marketing and Communications to
support and enhance your event. Start by contacting us in Conference &
Event Planning and we’ll introduce you to the Marketing and Communications
team.
Please visit our Web site at www.conf.neu.edu. We’re located at Columbus
Place in Suite 598. Feel free to drop by. Or to make an appointment to talk
with an event planner, please contact Kathy Newberry at ext. 5849, or
k.newberry@neu.edu.
Whether you need to find space for a meeting, plan an event, organize a
conference, connect with the right caterer, book entertainment, or order
gifts or awards, our office can advise you on the planning process and refer
you to the appropriate resources.
We view events as vehicles to meet business and/or learning objectives. With
our professional guidance, you’ll be sure to maximize your return on
investment and meet your event goals.
We understand that department budgets and staff resources are tight, so we
can help you best by talking with you early in the process to plan your
event in an efficient, cost-effective way.
Some events are planned on short notice, and others are planned months or
years ahead. We can serve you best when we partner with you early in the
planning process.
This process includes:
The steps you should take to plan, market, and manage your event.
How to find and book space for your event.
How to find and work with the right vendor partners and University
departments when planning your event.
University policies concerning events.
Hosting outside groups with whom you are affiliated who wish to use
University facilities for a meeting or event.
We’ll introduce you to other University departments and external suppliers
with whom you may need to do business. Occasionally, under special
circumstances, the Conference & Event Planning staff may take on a more
involved role in helping you to plan your event.
Our services include consultation on:
• Site selection
• Food and beverage
• Invitations
• Gifts
• Publicity
• Signage
• Transportation
• Audio-visual services
• Public safety
• Disability concerns, ADA Event Compliance
• Visitor information
• Parking