Global Networking Night

Global Networking Night is Thursday, March 16, 2023!

Background

Global Networking Night brings thousands of Harvard alumni together in cities around the world via events hosted by Harvard Clubs, HAA Shared Interest Groups, and HAA Contacts. Hosting or cohosting a Global Networking Night event is a great way to build awareness of and engagement with your alumni community.

As the pandemic continues to evolve worldwide, Global Networking Night will also evolve to allow local hosts the flexibility to host in the way that works best for their community and in accordance with local public health guidance.

Harvard Clubs and HAA Contacts may elect to host their event either in person OR online.
- Those electing to host online may choose to team up with one or more other clubs to host a regional event.
As in 2022, professional interest-based Shared Interest Groups have the option to host industry/profession-based events (not bounded by location) online.
As always, all Shared Interest Groups are invited to sign on to cohost local events – whether online or in-person – with the local Club or Contact.

How to Participate

Review the GNN Frequently Asked Questions list here.

Shared Interest Groups may sign up to host Global Networking Night events here or cohost Global Networking Night events here.

Professional Interest Groups will have the option to sign up to host an online industry/profession-based event.
- Start time, end time, contact information for the planning lead, event link/login information, and any information to be included on your local event page is required.
All SIGs will have the option to sign up to co-host local events organized by Clubs or Contacts.
- Contact information for a local planning lead is required for each location.
- The local Club or Contact is responsible for determining whether local events will take place in person or online and making location arrangements. SIG planning leads will be connected to the Club or Contact via email once the event is confirmed.

Clubs and Contacts may sign up to host a local Global Networking Night event here.

Confirmed location information is required to register an in-person event.
A link to participate and any additional information required to log in is required to register an online event.
Start time, end time, contact information for the planning lead, and any information to be included on your local event page is required for all events.

Roles and Responsibilities

Club/Contact Responsibilities:

Arrange and manage event logistics (physical location or online meeting).
Upon email introduction from the HAA, connect with any SIG cohosts who have signed on to cohost in your area to coordinate event plan.
Compliment HAA marketing via your own email and social media channels to encourage attendance.
Field and respond to any event questions that come directly to you/the Club.
Attend a GNN information session via Zoom (information TK to those signed up to host) and review virtual event resources provided by the HAA.
Act as host by welcoming guests, facilitating connections, and supporting breakout room discussions (if online/applicable).
Act as a club ambassador by sharing information with attendees about how they can further engage.
Follow up with attendees (HAA will provide you with a list of registrants) via email re: further engaging with the club.

Professional Interest Shared Interest Group Online Event Host Responsibilities:

Arrange and manage virtual event logistics.
Connect with your fellow SIG volunteers to coordinate virtual event logistics. The HAA will make these introductions for you.
Compliment HAA marketing via your own email and social media channels to encourage attendance.
Field and respond to any event questions that come in directly to the SIG.
Attend a GNN information session via Zoom (information TK to those signed up to host) and review virtual event resources provided by the HAA.
Act as host by welcoming guests, facilitating connections, and supporting breakout room discussions (if you are utilizing that feature).
Act as a SIG ambassador by sharing information with attendees about how they can further engage.
Follow up with attendees (HAA will provide you with a list of registrants) via email re: further engaging with the SIG.

Shared Interest Group Local Cohost Responsibilities:

Compliment HAA & Club marketing via your own email and social media channels to encourage attendance.
Upon email introduction from the HAA, connect with Club/Contact host and any other SIG cohosts who have signed on to cohost in your area to coordinate event plan.
Act as cohost at the event by welcoming guests, facilitating connections, and supporting breakout room discussions (if that feature is being utilized).
Act as an ambassador for the SIG by sharing information with attendees about how they can further engage.
Follow up with attendees (HAA will provide you with a list of registrants) via email re: further engaging with the SIG.

Harvard Alumni Association Responsibilities:

Introduce all cohosting organizations to each other for each location.
Create and manage all registration pages for all GNN events.
Provide host planning resources.
Make registration lists available for download by hosting organizations.
Execute comprehensive marketing campaign.
Provide event confirmation details to registrants.

HAA Email Marketing Calendar (2023 dates coming soon)

Monday, January 31, 2022 – Deadline for SIGs to sign-up to co-host a GNN event
Monday, February 7, 2022 – Deadline to sign-up to host a GNN event
Wednesday, February 9, 2022– First Information Session via Zoom for hosts and co-hosts on how to host a virtual networking event
Friday, February 11, 2022 – Event pages begin to become live on the GNN event directory page (Note: your event will not be listed unless you have shared your event link or full venue information with our office)
Monday, February 14, 2022 – All events are live on the the Directory page
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 - Pre-invite to recent graduates & current students
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 – First invitation to all alumni
Friday, February 18, 2022– Second Information Session via Zoom for hosts and co-hosts on how to host a virtual networking event
Thursday, February 24, 2022 - Reminder email to clickers inviting them to complete their registration
Friday, March 4, 2022 - Reminder email to alumni and students to sign up
Thursday, March 10, 2022 - Last Call email inviting alumni and students to sign up for GNN
Week of March 13, 2022 – Event Club & SIG Contacts should download their registration lists to get a sense of who is attending the event (Note: this will not the be a full registration list as registration will not close unless event capacity is reached.)
Monday, March 14, 2022 - Social media emailed to all registrants
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 – HAA to email all registrants with event-specific details including event link
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 – Global Networking Night
Friday, March 18, 2022 - Follow up email to all registrants

Helpful Resources

FAQs
GNN 2022 Networking Event Toolkit - this document provides you with resources that will empower you to host your networking events.
Information Sessions – Hosts and co-hosts can sign-up for one of two live Information Sessions in February to ask any questions as it pertains to Global Networking Night and learn about the various dates and resources event contacts should be aware of.
- The dates and times of these two sessions are:
  - Tuesday, February 7 - 8:00-8:30 a.m. ET and Thursday, February 9 - 2:00-2:30 p.m. ET
- Sign up to attend one of the two sessions here.
  - Please note, both sessions will have the same information, so volunteers only need to attend one session.
Digital Assets – Download branded Global Networking Night images to put in your marketing emails or to post on your webpage.
GNN 2022 Data Dashboard - View GNN event locations and registration numbers in real time in a visual display.

Questions? Please email clubs@harvard.edu.