2023 Date To-Be-Announced
The cornerstone of Anniversary University is The Anniversary Forum, founded in 2014
as the only gathering dedicated to learning how great organizations fully leverage this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Forum is widely regarded as the must attend Master Class for those handed
the privilege and responsibility to help lead the anniversary.
If you’re wondering how to begin planning the anniversary, you’re not alone. This is uncharted territory for 90% of executives and even with experience overseeing complex initiatives, most are perplexed with how to begin plotting the anniversary road map.
Guiding principles to plan are similar for a corporate, higher-education, and non-profit institution of all sizes.
THE ANNIVERSARY FORUM
2023 date to-be-announced
Testimonials
Attending The Anniversary Forum is essential for learning how to leverage your anniversary, regardless of the industry or stage in planning process. The information is incredibly pertinent and the relationship-building and knowledge-sharing among participants is invaluable.
Steve Stout
Chief of Staff to President
DePaul University
Anniversary Forum
Speakers & Attendees
Purdue University
150th Anniversary
Meeting others going through the process now and gaining perspective from communications professionals who successfully managed significant anniversary programs was invaluable. I came away with actionable plans to expedite program development. I only wish I had heard about The Forum sooner!
Melanie Steinbach
Former, Chief HR Officer
Milliken
Thank You Anniversary Forum 2022, Speakers!
Melanie Edwards
Co-presenter
Vice President, Executive Office
Start anniversary planning early and involve stakeholders across your organization in the process to generate excitement, create ideas and have a shared sense of purpose.
Ted Ryan
Heritage Brand Mgr. and Archivist
Ford Motor Company
Anniversaries offer unique opportunities for enhanced storytelling which allows for a nod to past while speaking about the future.
Mark Rushing
Co-presenter
Assoc, Vice Chancellor,
University Relations
Flexibility is key in planning and implementing a major anniversary as you will almost certainly face some unexpected challenges. Prepare. Adjust. Repeat.
Karen Kozak
Former VP Global Brand, Cargill
Milestone Master, Anniversary University
A well-implemented anniversary program can be the difference between merely educating to truly differentiating your brand.
Mary Beth Pate
Exec. Dir., Marketing
& Philanthropy Comms
A milestone anniversary is a powerful opportunity to connect your global organization by having a shared history, mission, vision and values.
Stephen Chambers
Managing Director
Historical storytelling is at the heart of every successful milestone anniversary. This is a literal once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tap into your past in a way that is authentic and powerful.
Lisa Alonge
Founder
Use your Anniversary as a gift to the people you serve and the planet that serves us all.
Donna Rome
Studio Director
An anniversary strategy ensures you strike the right notes to honor the past and celebrate the present.
Amy Linimon
Co-presenter
AV Chancellor, Engagement Office
In the midst of the most stressful moments, pause and reflect on the magnitude of what you are contributing to the history of your organization. It is a rare opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.
Allison Prince
Co-presenter
Vice President, Executive Office
An anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on your culture and contributions of people, past and present, while understanding how history impacts and directs your organization’s future.
Learning from the Milestone Masters™ and making
valuable connections cannot be overstated
Education:
Planning requires unprecedented amounts of time and resources. Learning from “the masters” who pull back the curtain to share best practices and pitfalls to avoid is priceless!
Connection:
Connect with experienced executives for mentorship and notable experts who may become part of your “A-team.” These masters are uniquely informed, strategically driven, creatively inspired and ready to help.
Inspiration:
Explore how to use your anniversary as a legacy gift to the people you serve and the planet that serves us all. This one-day provides a years’ worth of ideas. You will be inspired!
Who Attends
The anniversary governing committee attends. Included are executives in Communications, Marketing, Brand, PR, HR, Chief of Staff, Institutional Advancement, Executive Director, Development, Historian, and CSR.
Here’s What Attendees Say...
If your company is preparing for a major corporate anniversary, employees will be a primary audience. Senior HR leaders will get tremendous value from The Anniversary Forum and specifically the workshops.
Melanie Steinbach, Chief HR Officer
Milliken
The Anniversary Forum provided us with great insight into how other companies leveraged their anniversaries. We came away with a full understanding of all the possibilities to consider for our 175th Anniversary.
Jan Martin, Corporate Communications
Domtar
As a leading non-profit, it was extremely beneficial to attend The Anniversary Forum to learn how iconic corporations leveraged their anniversary. If you’re planning an anniversary, I highly recommend attending!
Jessica Kirkwood, Sr. Director, Supporter Engagement
CARE
The Anniversary Forum gave my co-chair and me tools to use to organize our planning and to determine our next steps. I personally valued the networking with professionals who are going through the same experience. That part was like therapy!
Kim Garris, Ph.D. Chief External Relations Officer
Shippensburg University
Attendees Learn To:
Leverage budgets for outsized results.
Leverage the power of the “anniversary effect.”
Create experiences as extraordinary as the event they celebrate.
Maximize this one-day event to provide a years’ worth of actionable strategies and ideas.
Elevate the anniversary to a strategic imperative to propel your organization and brand forward.
Make your anniversary a brilliant business decision with impressive ROI.
Use an anniversary to propel transformation.
Engage your CEO on the topic of the meaning of your anniversary.
Design with strategic intent. Know your why before your what.
Organize cross functional leaders, identify global stewards and lead with bold intention.
Previous Attendees (partial listing)
