Event Information and Registration
California-Northern
Sunnyvale, CA: Networking Mixer
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 5:00 p.m.
Admission $40 | Ticket includes light appetizers, and one drink. Additional food and drinks available for purchase.
For more details and to register click HERE
California-Southern-Campus
Careers in New Media
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | 7:00 p.m.
Admission TBD
For more details and to register click HERE
Trojan Connects: Career Pivots – How to Make the Jump!
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Admission $25 | Ticket includes light appetizers, and non-alcoholic drinks.
For more details and to register click HERE
Leverage LinkedIn and Networking Strategies to Secure Your Dream Job
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Admission $50 | Ticket includes light appetizers, and one drink.
For more details and to register click HERE
USC Alumni 30 Under 30 Panel
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. (also available virtually)
Admission In-Person $30 | Ticket includes light refreshments
Admission Virtual $10 per person | Ticket includes virtual access to listen to panel
For more details and to register click HERE
California – Southern – Greater Los Angeles
Long Beach, CA: Networking Mixer
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Admission $30 | Ticket includes heavy appetizers. Additional food and drinks available for purchase.
For more details and to register click HERE
Calabasas, CA: Networking and Wine Tasting
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Admission $75 | Ticket includes light appetizers and one drink.
For more details and to register click HERE
California – Southern – Orange County and San Diego
San Diego, CA: FightOn to Compliance – 2025 California Employment Law Updates
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Admission $25 | Ticket includes light appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks.
For more details and to register click HERE
Midwest/Mountain
Denver, CO: Networking Mixer
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | TBD
Admission $35 | Ticket includes light appetizers and one drink.
For more details and to register click HERE
Las Vegas, NV Networking Mixer
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 5:30 p.m.
Admission $25 | Ticket includes light appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks.
For more details and to register click HERE
Phoenix, AZ: How to Build a Socially Conscious Business
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Admission TBD
For more details and to register click HERE
Northeast
New York, NY: Exit Planning for Founders
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | 12:00 p.m.
Admission $50 | Ticket includes lunch.
For more details and to register click HERE
South
Austin, TX Networking Mixer
Sunday, February 2, 2025 | TBD
Admission $10 | Ticket includes light appetizers.
For more details and to register click HERE
Houston, TX Networking Mixer
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 | 6:00 pm.
Admission $35 | Ticket includes heavy appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages.
For more details and to register click HERE
Dallas, TX Networking Mixer
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 | 6:00 pm.
Admission $35 | Ticket includes heavy appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages.
For more details and to register click HERE
International
London: Career Transitions
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 | 7:00 pm.
Admission Free
For more details and to register click HERE
If you have questions, check out our Frequently Asked Questions tab or email Roberta Watson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can become an event organizer?
All degreed alumni who agree to uphold Trojan Family values and the university’s code of conduct are eligible to organize a Trojan Connect. Organizers must have either participated in one of the informational sessions or watched the recording as well. While one person will be the primary contact for the event, you are welcome to partner with a Board/Committee you’re a part of or join forces with other volunteers in your area.
What are the event requirements?
All events must take place between February 3-6, 2025. In-person event locations must hold at least 30 participants.
Can I submit a virtual event?
Yes! Trojan Connects can be held virtually. They must still take place between February 3-6, 2025. However, you have the freedom to set you day, time, and the platform that best works for you. If you need assistance creating a Zoom, a staff member will provide a link.
Where can events take place?
Trojan Connects that are in-person can be held in either domestic or international locations. Event organizers are encouraged to checkout local restaurants, explore potential spaces at your office, or look into coworking spaces. You may also be able to find Trojan owned businesses in your community to host the event at.
I want to organize a Trojan Connect but I am not sure how to start?
First, you’ll want to make sure to watch the informational session detailing the process from start to finish. After viewing, you’ll determine all of your event details including format, venue, model, etc. before submitted a proposal. Please click here for resources including the recording, info session slides, etc. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to watsonro@usc.edu.
How far in advance do I need to begin planning my event?
All event proposals are due on Friday, October 21, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PDT. To ensure you have a well thought out proposal with all the necessary information, we advise starting the planning process as soon as possible especially if you need to get quotes from venues.
What are my key responsibilities as an event organizer?
Below is a checklist of tasks before, during, and after the event takes place.
Application Period:
- Contact fellow Trojans to team up
- Pick a date and time
- Determine if your event will be virtual or in-person
- Select your event model (i.e. networking activity, panel discussion, etc.)
- Find a venue (if applicable) and get a quote and contract. If possible, also ask if they will place a hold for you on the space.
- Find speaker and/or mentors (if applicable)
- Fill out a budget form
- Submit event proposal by October 21, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PDT
Before the Event
Early November
- Send staff headshots, bios, etc. for the organizer(s) and speaker(s) (if applicable)
- Confirm speakers and send them a calendar invite (if applicable)
- Work with staff to get venue contracts signed and deposits paid
Late November – Early January
- Help promote your event via personal outreach
- Forward official emails to your network
- Post on social media
Late January
- Confirm counts with venue
- Hold an intro call with speakers to brief them on the event
- Assign volunteer team to specific roles if needed (i.e. check-in, photos, speaker management, MC, etc.)
February
- Send reminders to speakers and event registrants with event details (two-days prior to event)
During the Event
In-person Programs
- Be present at the event
- Arrive early to set up the site with décor and signage
- Confirm event details with venue and complete any necessary A/V tests
- Check-in guests/speakers
- Capture photos/videos
- *Be sure to get a group photo by the end!
- Make closing announcements highlighting upcoming programs and share information that will be included in the follow up (i.e. survey and photos)
- Close out with Venue
Virtual Programs:
- Sign-on at least 20-minutes early to test technology and adjust platform settings as needed
- Meet with other volunteers and/or speakers 15-minutes prior so they can test technology and go over the program timeline
- Give 5-minute buffer after the start time to allow guests to sign-on.
- Use visuals (i.e. slides)
- Take a group photo using screenshot function (if using a Zoom meeting)
- Make closing announcements highlighting upcoming programs and share information that will be included in the follow up (i.e. recording, resources, survey and photos)
After the Event
Within 24-hours
- Follow up with staff to share the following:
- Attendee List
- Reimbursement requests (if applicable) with a photo of the receipt and a screenshot of the charge on your account
- Photos from event (to be included in follow up email)
- Recording from event (if applicable)
- Resources (i.e. slides, worksheets, etc.)
- Send thank you notes to fellow volunteers and speakers
Late February
- Participate in debrief call to share you experience as an event organizer
How do I publicize my Trojan Connect to USC alumni in my area?
Trojan Connect event organizers will receive social media toolkits along with the official email invites promoting your event. You’re encouraged to forward those emails to your personal/local network via email, reach out via text, and post event graphics on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Organizers may also want to do the following:
- Post on Facebook within your area’s designated USCAA regional group or class reunion group. For a directory, click here.
- If part of a USC Board/Committee, share on their social media
- Post event details in the designated FightOnline Community for your region.
