This semester, our Communication Strategy in Meetings and Event Planning class at Ohio University has been working to create two immersive events that connect the university and Athens’ communities while supporting Passion Works Art Studio, a local organization empowering artists with disabilities. Representing Passion Works as a class has been an honor, as fundraising for this unique art studio directly supports its programs, provides essential resources for artists to create and helps sustain inclusive opportunities within the Athens community. Their mission of accessibility, storytelling and community engagement has shaped our approach to sponsorship, fundraising and event planning throughout the semester. Our first event, the Donkey Story Slam, successfully brought students and community members together to share personal stories, while promoting local businesses and highlighting Passion Works’ efforts. The turnout exceeded expectations, with attendees engaging deeply in the storytelling experience, demonstrating how thoughtful promotion and collaboration with community partners can translate into meaningful participation. Personally, serving on the Sponsorship, Fundraising and Community Outreach Team allowed me to coordinate communication with community partners, contribute to planning sponsorship activations and ensure that fundraising elements, like donation QR codes, aligned with both our class goals and Passion Works’ mission.
Looking ahead to our second event at Jackie O’s Taproom on April 11th, our team is finalizing several key components to create an engaging and memorable experience. Held during Mom’s Weekend, the “Moments With Moms” event is designed to celebrate mothers and mother figures while being as inclusive as possible for all attendees. We have placed merchandise orders for t-shirts and cozies, coordinated raffle basket items and we worked directly to develop the ideal setup for the Rise & Grind donation-based coffee station. Additionally, we have been working closely with community partners to determine support needs, finalize sponsor recognition plans and ensure all contributions are highlighted during the event. Upcoming tasks include purchasing raffle items, creating sponsor shout-outs for the performance script, finalizing ticket pricing and preparing thank-you notes for community partners’ post-event. Throughout this process, our team’s role has required collaboration across the six class teams, Logistics & Operations, Marketing & Promotions, Sponsorship, Fundraising & Community Outreach, Entertainment, Event Design and Guest Services & Engagement, to align responsibilities, track progress and ensure the success of both events. Assignments such as Fireside Chats, Team Check-Ins, Event Action Plans and Event Day Packets have provided structure for coordination and communication, while allowing each team to take ownership of their contributions. Personally, overseeing task management and operational coordination has reinforced my perception of the importance of detail, follow-through and communication in executing a successful event. Ultimately, these events are designed to celebrate the arts, foster connections between students and the Athens community and support Passion Works in a meaningful way. With a nostalgic “Moments With Moms” theme, immersive activities, and carefully curated sponsorship activations, attendees can expect a fun, inclusive, and memorable experience. Our class is proud to represent Passion Works, contribute to their mission and collaborate with local organizations to create something that benefits both the community and the university. We look forward to seeing everyone at Jackie O’ Taproom on April 11th and sharing the creativity, joy and connections that make these events so special.
Fiona Deasy is a student at Ohio University studying Media Arts Production. Connect with Fiona on LinkedIn, here.