Blog

Powerful Together: Promoting the March 7 IlliniFest

By Scott Anderson
February 4, 2021
All together now

Weeks and months in the making, our first-ever virtual IlliniFest is almost here. On March 7, at 7:00 pm, alumni and others will tune into YouTube from locations near and far to reconnect with the university that helped shape who they are as humans. It’s a powerful connection that pays forward for generations, in a myriad of ways.

After reviewing nearly 100 video submissions for the program, a theme for the event organically surfaced: Powerful Together. It’s a theme that builds on the 2020 Homecoming theme, and it embodies how past, present and future Illini are changing lives and the world each and every day. This will be a celebration of people. People who have come to Urbana-Champaign with a desire to meet others who want to do something great. Together, they have  – and continue to do.

Has planning and producing a virtual event of this scale been stressful? You bet! But it’s been possible because of the teamwork and support received from so many incredible people and units across our campus. We too, have been Powerful Together. We have been living the theme each day as we collaborate in real time, grind through emails, and find solutions to unexpected challenges. 

But there's still more to do! On Monday, February 7, we will launch a month-long digital marketing campaign to draw a crowd of thousands, and I invite all units to help spread the word. Assets to assist you in promoting this event are coming soon:

  • Social media assets, including a set of topical/unit-specific posts, will be loaded onto Public Affair’s Airtable platform and also shared via the university’s social media accounts. (Big shout-outs to August Schiess and Lea Peck!) 

  • Social posts and other mentions of the event in unit newsletters or emails can link to the IlliniFest website, which will go live February 7. 

A series of e-blasts to alumni and U of I friends will round out a digital campaign that we hope will draw thousands. 

Thanks again for your support and involvement.

 Can I get an I-L-L?!