Vendor Showcase brings Yale event professionals together

Thursday, February 26, 2026

On Wednesday, February 11, the 14th floor of Kline Tower transformed into a hub of creativity and collaboration for the first-ever Community of Learners (COL) Vendor Showcase, hosted by Yale Conferences & Events. This bright, open space, with 360-degree views of New Haven and the Yale campus, was the perfect setting for an afternoon designed to connect Yale event planners with trusted vendors.

The showcase featured a highly curated list of 27 vendors, selected to reflect common event planning needs across Yale. From florists and caterers to rental companies, attendees had the chance to discover new resources, reconnect with familiar partners, and explore solutions to support their upcoming events.

The event followed a relaxed, open-house format, allowing guests to stop by at their convenience, explore vendor offerings at their own pace, and ask questions in a low-pressure, collaborative environment. Over 200 Yale event professionals attended, making meaningful connections and gathering inspiration for future events.

Adding extra cheer to the afternoon, Handsome Dan made a special appearance, delighting attendees and reminding everyone of the community spirit that makes Yale events so special.

Christina Hill, Senior Manager of Events, provides her perspective on the event:

The Vendor Showcase was a wonderful opportunity to connect our trusted vendors and internal service providers with event planners from departments across Yale. We heard from many attendees that this was their first time meeting face‑to‑face with vendors or colleagues they’ve partnered with for years only over email which was an unexpected bonus that added so much value to the day. It was great to see all of our vendors in one place and to create an environment where collaboration could really thrive. The showcase was a wonderful reflection of how much we can accomplish when we come together.

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Christina Hall, Senior Manager of Events, Yale Conferences & Events

This successful first showcase would not have been possible without the dedication of all participating vendors, whose expertise and enthusiasm helped make the event an engaging and informative experience.

We look forward to hosting many more events like this, continuing to bring the Community of Learners together to share ideas, resources, and connections.

See the full list of participating vendors and their websites below.

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