Campus Event Entertainment Advice: Give Students a Chance, but Forget the Horse

Madison, Wis. — Sept. 7 — A bit of advice for campus event planners: think twice before using animals as entertainers.

Helena Weiss-Duman, assistant director of University Events and Ceremonies at the University of California, Berkeley, offered this tip and more during her live, 90-minute online seminar “How to Plan Wildly Successful Campaign Events” on September 6.

A few years ago, Duman’s office selected a talented (human) actor to play the role of a historic campus figure during a campaign event. The office was also looking for a way to move guests from socializing outdoors to dining indoors. Wouldn’t it be a great idea, staff members thought, if that actor rode up on a horse and sounded a bugle to call guests to dinner?

Not really, Duman said. The horse was frightened by the sound of the bugle, and the actor had to struggle to control the horse. Fortunately, the crowd was large enough that no one really noticed the difficulty. On the other hand, the actor wasn’t very successful in getting the crowd’s attention and shepherding guests to dinner.

Another tip: The quality of student groups such as musical ensembles, acting troupes, and other performing groups varies from year to year. As a result, Duman said, event planners should

• hold auditions
• solicit recommendations and references from other staff members who can vouch for the group’s current professionalism and talent
• attend performances when possible
• try out performing groups at smaller events.

Duman’s department produces more than 150 events a year, including public ceremonies, visiting dignitary visits, board meetings, dedications, recognitions, cultivations, reunions, homecoming, and parents’ weekends. University Events and Ceremonies produced the events that supported the recent $1.4 billion Promise of Berkeley campaign.

To order a CD or transcript of the online seminar “How to Plan Wildly Successful Campaign Events,” visit http://www.magnapubs.com/catalog/cds/598990-1.html.