Building Events That Reflect Our Mission

I’m pleased to introduce the Mendoza Events & Engagement Team (MEET) — a new team name and a refreshed approach to event planning and execution across the College. 

MEET reflects a renewed commitment to aligning events with Mendoza’s mission, enhancing collaboration and optimizing the use of our shared resources through a more consistent and streamlined process. We’re excited to share where we are headed next.

Events are an essential expression of our work at Mendoza. Whether it's a marquee conference, a student program celebration or a graduate student enrollment event with the purpose of showcasing the very best that Mendoza has to offer, each event is an opportunity to bring our mission to life. But to do that well, we need consistency, clarity and the right structures in place to support everyone involved in event planning — whether that’s a faculty partner, staff member or a teaching/research assistant.

Why We’re Evolving the Process

This new approach and design is intended to improve how we plan and manage events by leveraging our collective resources and designing a support structure that provides clear points of contact for hosts (faculty) requesting support, teammates (staff) who organize and manage logistics, and partners (event managers) who deliver high-impact experiences that reflect Mendoza’s brand and values.

This shift aims to cultivate consistency in our event planning processes, foster transparency through clear roadmaps and accessible resources, and deliver a greater value to all Mendoza events. 

Introducing a Tiered Approach to Event Planning

One of the key developments is a new event tier structure that provides clear guidance based on an event’s size, scope, audience and visibility. From intimate department gatherings to high-profile conferences, the tier system helps us determine the appropriate level of support, approvals and communications needed for each type of event.

What You Can Expect

MEET provides a formalized annual event planning and delivery process that includes the following:.

• An annual event planning request process that starts during the spring prior to the next academic year aligned with the College’s annual budget planning process.
• Clearly defined support structure for hosts that can manage the details, logistics and communications, keeping hosts included and informed. 
• A breakdown of event tiers and related workflows.
• The MEET website that will house event-related tools. 
• A one-page overview of our new process for quick reference.

What’s Next

We will offer in-person informational sessions for staff in the coming weeks, where you will be able to walk through the new process with the MEET team and ask questions.

With this shift, and in partnership with each of you, we will lift up the people and programs that make Mendoza distinct. Events are often the first point of contact someone has with our College. When we plan and execute them with intention, we not only reflect our values, we invite others to experience them.

In partnership,

Meghan

Meghan Huff
Assistant Director, Program & Events
Mendoza College of Business