Challenge

Dominion Energy Corporate Philanthropy agreed to sponsor the inaugural Draft Day Celebration at the newly opened Cristo Rey High School in Richmond, Virginia. Draft Day is an event where all CRHS students gather with their friends and family to learn their work study placement for the upcoming school year. The draft was unique in that it was held for the very first incoming class of freshman students and sparked relationships with a multitude of local businesses and organizations.

The event requires an enormous amount of organization in the planning and execution and great working relationships with the Cristo Rey Staff and any third-party vendors. The venue, AV, food and beverage and run of show are all elements in making this event successful.

Solution

Shortly after signing on to sponsor this event, Dominion Energy contacted Wilkinson Sports Advisory (WSA) to help run the Draft Day Celebration. To begin planning, WSA attended meetings with various members of the Cristo Rey staff to work through their vision of a successful event. WSA contacted local event rental company, Magic Special Events, to draft a layout and worked with their staff closely to decide on A/V requirements, chair and stage placement and printed collateral.

WSA acted as the primary point of contact for Cristo Rey, Dominion Energy and Magic Special Events throughout the planning process. WSA was responsible for incorporating all of the sponsors and their students into a script as well as securing an emcee for the event. On and before the event, WSA was on-site to oversee set-up, coordinate run-throughs, direct staff and sponsors and ensure a hasty and efficient tear-down.