Embracing Change | March 2022

News

Embracing Change | March 2022

08 March 2022

March 8, 2022

Director’s Note

Hi friends,
 
As we inch closer to a new season, the feeling of change and transition is in the air for many of us. Change is inevitable but embracing it can lead to growth and new opportunities. In regard to in-person events, planners around the world report seeing a change in attendee priorities, with more emphasis being put on human connection after two years of isolation. One planner stated, “We need to revisit our conference agendas and make breaks longer and meal functions less structured. We need to look at human behavior and act accordingly.” 

Event planners have also noted a change in attendee behavior and the need to rethink their planning approach, acknowledging that not everyone is ready to embrace in-person events again. Are you prepared to participate in person? Use these tips to acclimate to meetings etiquette in 2022.

Speaking of change, New Haven ended its mask mandate on March 7th. This means that people going to restaurants, stores, gyms, and more are no longer required to wear a face mask in our city. A return to pre-pandemic times seems closer than ever before.

Finally, Happy International Women’s Day! I’d like to take this opportunity to honor the women in our networks (and beyond) as we celebrate Women’s History Month. A very special “thank you” to the incredible ladies on my team for always going above and beyond, especially during these past two years. You’ve all proven that: “A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.”
And to Kathryn Vieillard, best wishes to you on your new journey. Thank you for your eight years of tireless dedication to YC&E and Yale!
 
Stay well and cheers to all, 
 
Suzanne Shaw
Executive Director

Department Updates

 On March 18, 2022, I will be leaving my office at 55 Whitney Avenue in New Haven for the last time. I am a planner and I had planned on working at Yale until my retirement in 2027. I had mapped out how long I could owrk, when I would start renovations on my summer cottage so I could make that my main retirement home and what strategic changes I would make to my beloved condo in Hamden to get the maximum value. Then the pandemic hit. 

Like many other people, I had time to evaluate my life and the direcion that it was headed in. It was the safe route. The route that would allow me to reap the harvest of the many enhancements that Yale Conference and Events had implemented over the past eight years. But, there was this nagging voice. I really enjoy mentoring and empowering staff, and building departments into what they can be. Part of me felt like I needed to make room. Room for my hard working staff to grow and room for myself to build one more team. 

So I am off! I have accepted a position at Brown University to be their Director of Event Strategy and Management. I will be reporting to the Senior Vice President for University Communications. They have a small, but mighty team of dedicated individuals who just need a champion to help them develop intot the asset that the University needs to elevate their university events. 

I will always be so grateful to my team and the greater Yale community for allowing me an opportunity to grow and learn. I dread leaving all the wonderful people I have come to call my YC&E family and all the colleagues across campus who have helped us achieve our goals. 

BUT, I am only a phone call or email away! I wish all of you the best. 

Warmly, 

Kate Vieillard

Welcome Samantha Iucci

We are happy to welcome Samantha Iucci to our team! 

Sam is the new Program Manager for the Greenberg Conference Center, responsible for managing all aspects for the daily operations and events at the Center. She comes to us from The Presiden’ts House at Yale, where she was an event coordinator for over six years. 
 

Nathan Lubich presents at annual ACCED-I conference

 
Our very own Nathan Lubich, YC&E Associate Director of Operations, presented at the 42nd annual ACCED-I conference in Atlanta, GA. Nathan’s educational session, “Beyond On-Call: Setting up a staffed 24-hour summer office”, shared the lessons Yale learned when trying to come up with the best way to provide 24/7 customer service to summer clients. 
 

Yale & Beyond

Honoring women and their contributions

 
All month long we are celebrating the strong and resilient women whose contributions have enriched and improved our history, culture, and society.
 
From events, courses, art collections, books, and more, Yale is raising awareness and commemorating our colleagues and classmates during the month of March.  
 

Law enforcement training camp for selected Connecticut youth

 
The New Haven Field Office and the FBI and Yale University Police Department are once again partnering on the Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy (FLEYA). FLEYA is a law enforcement training camp hosted on Yale’s campus for selected CT youth. Since 2016, YC&E has assisted FLEYA with accommodations, event space bookings, dining and catering, athletic events, graduation, and more. 
 
 

Event Planning Insights

Making your virtual and hybrid events more accessible

 
Each month we will share some tidbits on accessibility and inclusion to help you better plan your events. 
 
This month’s topic is accessibility for virtual and hybrid events and why captioning is so important. 
 
 
 

Peabody Museum panel discussion hosted by YC&E - March 9th

Did you know? YC&E spearheads the Community of Learners for Event Professionals (COL) at Yale. On March 9, COL will host “From Brick and Mortar to Virtual”, a panel discussion spotlighting the incredible programming efforts taking place virtually at the Peabody Museum as their building undergoes a multi-year transformation. 

 
 

One More Thing

Local St. Patrick’s Day events 

Looking for something to do this St. Patrick’s Day? Try your luck with these great options including a 5k run, various food and drink specials, and of course the beloved Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade - the largest, single-day spectator event in Connecticut and the 6th oldest parade in the United States. 

Explore ⪼

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