Alumni and Affiliate Group Events

Reconnect and Celebrate - Host an Alumni Reception at IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo

If you are considering hosting an event during IFT FIRST, our team is here to help. We can guide you through the process and connect you with one of our official hotel partners—where many attendees stay—to provide an ideal setting for your gathering.

Once you're ready to begin planning, please reach out to Melodie Anderson at IFT for guidance on hosting an event at one of our official IFT FIRST hotel partners or for any questions you may have. She can be contacted at manderson@ift.org or 312-604-0265.

How to Organize an Alumni and Affiliate Group Event

Step 1: Contact Melodie Anderson with your initial meeting request. Our team will then follow up with a suggested location for your event.

Step 2:  The IFT team will connect you with the hotel contact to help you get started. You will be responsible for connecting and contracting the space with the hotel. You will also be responsible for coordinating food and drink (if applicable) with the hotel.

Step 3:  We are providing suggestions for those who would like attendees to register for their event. You can disregard this step if your event does not require registration. Create an event registration site for your event.

Recommendations:

If you are collecting money for each registration/ticket:

• Eventbrite
• RSVPify

If your registration/ticket is free:

• Microsoft Forms
• Survey Monkey
• Evite
• Punchbowl

Step 4: Complete our form to send your event registration link to IFT, along with the description and contact information for the event. We’ll place it on the IFT.org website to help you market it. When completing the form, please provide as much information on the event as possible so that IFT can determine if the request is within policy.  

Submit Form

Step 5: IFT will publish your event on our Mobile App and Onsite Planner for IFT FIRST with all information for attendees.

NOTES:  

Non-exhibiting companies/universities are not permitted to hold any types of meetings or events in conjunction with our meeting. 

IFT does not allow  Alumni and Affiliate Group events during the following dates/times to avoid conflicts with official IFT events.  

*Exhibiting companies may hold staff, sales, broker and other non-customer functions during these times with approval. 

Questions? Please contact us via email at manderson@ift.org, or call: 312-604-0265.