by Vanessa Revlett, CMP, Senior Director, Events
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) came to us with a clear vision: they wanted to go big for their 60th anniversary. They weren’t looking for a nice dinner and a commemorative certificate, but something their attendees would be talking about for years.
So, we decided to build the celebration around signature experiences alongside the programming and traditions their members already love.
Transform Conference Staples into Special Affairs
Before a single speaker took the stage, DJ Shawna from the Milwaukee Bucks was already performing. Attendees were on their feet dancing, prizes were being won, and the energy in the room was electric.
Following this was NASFAA’s beloved tradition called the Regional Roll Call. Each region sits together, and, when their region is called, they respond loudly. Regions bring everything from decorations to Christmas lights to noise makers. Attendees look forward to it every year!
NASFAA also continued its tradition of hosting a 5K and Trivia Night to raise funds for a local organization that supports young adults pursuing higher education. These smaller events within the conference help connect attendees and deepen their experience.
At the final General Session, staff launched t-shirts printed with next year’s conference logo as the 2027 location was announced. Also, tucked under three attendees’ chairs were envelopes with complimentary registrations to next year’s conference! Providing attendees with their own “Oprah moment” is something they’ll never forget.
Time Travel Through the Exhibit Hall
This is where the anniversary really came to life.
Each lounge in the exhibit hall was designed around a decade of NASFAA’s history. Attendees moved through the 70s Photo Lounge, the 80s Gaming Lounge, the 90s Coffee Lounge, and the 2000s Relax and Recharge Lounge. At the center of it all was the Champagne Lounge which was dedicated to the 60th anniversary itself.
Throughout the conference, massage therapists were giving attendees 5-minute massages in the Relax and Recharge Lounge. Headshots were offered in the Photo Lounge, and baristas served specialty coffee in the Coffee Lounge. Plus, each lounge had either sponsor or NASFAA 60th Anniversary giveaways such as coffee mugs, Rubik’s cubes, sleeping masks, or commerative 60th anniversary lapel pins.
Begin and End with a Bang
The Opening Night reception took place in the exhibit hall, and attendees experienced surprises around every corner.
In the Anniversary Lounge, an aerialist descended from a chandelier pouring champagne. Attendees grabbed empty glasses and stepped beneath her to catch it.
In the Gaming Lounge, another acrobatic performer became a “human slinky” and hula-hooped with more than 50 hoops simultaneously. There were also 80s arcade games, caricature artists, fortune tellers, and henna tattoo artists.
Walking through the hall, a mentalist named Michael Carraway was quietly bending people’s perception of reality. Attendees kept turning to each other asking, “How did he do that?
The 70’s Lounge had a fun photo booth with a groovy backdrop and specialty cocktails were served by lounge. Espresso martinis were found in the Coffee Lounge while cucumber martinis were served in the Relax and Recharge Lounge.
Finally, NASFAA hid 10 Golden Tickets throughout the exhibit hall. Attendees who found them won some incredible prizes like free 2027 conference registration. After dark, fireworks lit up the harbor bringing the incredible evening to a close.
Not to be outdone by Opening Night festivities, the Closing Night Reception brought an 11-piece variety band, and a casino with blackjack, craps, roulette, and Texas Hold’em. There was a mentalist with his own stage performing three full sets and “walking tables” serving salads and desserts. There were also caricature artists, fortune tellers, and a haiku typewriter artist. Plus, there was a secluded speakeasy with its own jazz band!
Manage the Unexpected
On Closing Night, one vendor had a flat tire and arrived five and a half hours late. Another sent a two-person crew to unload and place 56 pieces of furniture, which ground set up to a halt. When it became clear that they also hadn’t brought everything they were contracted to deliver, that required a firm conversation with the sales manager and an emergency mobilization of additional crew.
With 45 minutes until doors opened, we made quick decisions. We called a vendor who was breaking down the exhibit hall and asked him to bring a backdrop for the speakeasy, and our staff and interns set tablecloths, assembled centerpieces, and configured the speakeasy space themselves.
So, when the doors opened, the event started without a hitch and the attendees never knew about the mad dash happening right before. Because when things don’t go exactly to plan, our job is to make sure no one in the room ever knows.
“Great events begin with an idea, but it takes the right partner to bring that idea to life. I came to IMN with a vision for a multi-experience celebration that honored NASFAA’s 60-year history, and your team transformed that vision into an engaging, seamless experience that exceeded our expectations. The creativity, attention to detail, and willingness to embrace our ideas allowed us to create something truly memorable for our attendees.
Our partnership with IMN has always been rooted in collaboration, and the anniversary celebration was a wonderful example of what can happen when creative vision and exceptional execution come together.”
-Dana Kelly, Vice President of Professional Development & Institutional Compliance at NASFAA
Make Your Next Celebration One to Remember
The association community knows how to work hard, and we know how to celebrate hard. If your organization has a milestone anniversary on the horizon and you want to make it genuinely memorable, we’d love to be part of that conversation.
Send us an email and we’ll set up a time to talk. Tell us what you’re envisioning, and we’ll start dreaming with you!
Originally published on September 8, 2026.
