Have you taken on the challenge of organizing a high school reunion?
Well, prepare for a whirlwind of nostalgia, laughter, and unforgettable memories as you relive the glory days with old classmates.
We’re here to guide you through the process and make sure this reunion is the talk of the town. We’ve included everything from selecting the venue to engaging activities.
Eventbrite has all the tools you need to reconnect with classmates, plan events, and track all the details.
You’ll even get professional tips to help you plan a smashing reunion and the necessary tools and resources to get it done.
That class reunion is just around the corner, so let’s get started!
Steps for planning your high school reunion
Being in charge of your high school reunion might seem overwhelming at first. With everything that needs doing, where should you start? Don’t worry, the experts at Eventbrite are going to walk you through the most important steps to plan an amazing reunion.
1. Form a reunion committee
First things first, assemble your dream team!
You need a reunion committee bursting with enthusiasm and ready to bring the party to life.
Round up your classmates who still have the fiery high school spirit, and make sure to include a mix of personalities and talents. You’ll want the detail-oriented organizers, the social butterflies, and the creative minds who can turn a drab event into a jaw-dropping extravaganza.
2. Choose the event time and location
Now, let’s talk about the where and when.
Will you bring the gang back to the hallowed halls of your beloved alma mater? Or maybe opt for a scenic local park where you can frolic in the sun and swap stories under the shade of ancient trees?
Or you might want to go all out and book a swanky bar like Nova High School did for their 2003 reunion. The choice is yours, and it should reflect the personality and preferences of your class.
3. Create a budget and event pricing
Let’s talk money, honey!
To create an unforgettable reunion, you’ll need funds. But don’t worry, you won’t break the bank.
Start by setting a budget and get creative with fundraising ideas. You can organize a car wash, sell customized reunion merchandise , or even host a fun run.
And when it comes to ticket prices, keep it reasonable. You want everyone to join in on the fun, so don’t scare them off with a price tag that rivals a luxury vacation. You could even make yours free, like many others are!
4. Promote the reunion
It’s time to spread the word far and wide!
Dust off your social media skills and create a reunion page with Eventbrite that’ll have your classmates clicking “RSVP” faster than you can say “yearbook memories.” And to make it even easier, Eventbrite links with Facebook and other social media platforms for easy reconnecting.
Use Facebook and Instagram to showcase throwback pictures and create a buzz leading up to the reunion.
LinkedIn can be a fantastic platform for networking and discovering your classmates’ professional journeys.
Tips to maintain contact with alumni — especially if they’re not on social media
While social media is powerful, not everyone is fully on board. Some classmates might be living in a tech-free bubble (or are just really good at avoiding Facebook).
With about 14% of people not on social media, your unplugged classmates might be more common than you think. For those friends, rely on good old-fashioned methods of communication. Share contact information via email, create a class directory, or even plan occasional meet-ups for those living in the same area.
While social media might be less common than you’d think, over 95% of Americans have email accounts. That means that if you can get ahold of your classmates’ emails, an online invitation could still be a great way to make sure everyone’s in the loop.
Eventbrite — the ultimate tool to plan your event
Feel like you’re prepped and ready? Let’s explore how the Eventbrite platform can take your high school reunion planning to the next level.
1. Streamlined ticketing: Eventbrite makes ticketing a breeze. You can create custom tickets with different pricing tiers, early bird discounts, and even limited-time promotions. Your classmates can easily purchase tickets online, ensuring a smooth entry process on the reunion day.
2. Event promotion: Eventbrite provides built-in marketing tools to help you promote your reunion far and wide. You can create a beautifully designed event page with all the essential details, photos, and even a countdown timer to generate excitement.
Eventbrite also integrates seamlessly with social media platforms, making it easy to share your event across multiple channels and reach a broader audience.
3. RSVP management: Eventbrite offers robust RSVP management features. You can easily track who’s coming, send event updates and reminders, and even collect additional information from your classmates like their graduation year or favorite high school memory.
4. Payment processing: Eventbrite handles secure online transactions, allowing attendees to pay with various payment methods. You can easily track ticket sales and revenue, making managing your budget and expenses simple.
5. Event analytics: After the reunion, it’s time to analyze the success of your event. Eventbrite provides detailed analytics and reports, giving you insights into ticket sales, attendance, and even demographic information about your attendees. This data can be invaluable for future reunions, allowing you to better understand your audience and tailor your planning accordingly.
6. Mobile access: In today’s fast-paced world, mobile access is a must. Eventbrite offers a user-friendly mobile app that allows you to manage your reunion on the go. Whether you’re checking ticket sales, sending updates, or scanning tickets at the entrance, you can do it all conveniently from your smartphone.
With Eventbrite as your trusty sidekick, you’ll have the tools and resources to plan and execute a high school reunion that will leave your classmates talking for years to come. It’s going to be an epic reunion.
Pre-reunion Engagement: Building Anticipation
Pro Tip: Build excitement and anticipation leading up to the main event with some great pre-reunion activities.
Reconnect before the big day with these ideas:
1. Virtual meet-ups: Today’s technology allows you to connect with people worldwide, so why not use it to build anticipation for your reunion.
Organize virtual meet-ups using video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Google Meet. Choose a theme for each meet-up, such as “Classmates Cook-Off” or “Trivia Night,” and encourage everyone to participate.
2. Throwback photo challenge: Create a throwback photo challenge on social media. Choose a different theme each week leading up to the reunion, such as “Freshman Year,” “Prom Memories,” or “Sports Teams.”
Encourage classmates to dig up their old photos and share them with the designated hashtag. It’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane and a chance to see how everyone has changed over the years.
3. Alumni profiles: Start a series of alumni profiles on social media or through email newsletters. Interview classmates and feature their stories, accomplishments, and life updates. It’s a great way to discover your classmates’ diverse paths since graduation.
4. Virtual scavenger hunt: Create a list of items or clues related to your high school experience, and have classmates search for them in their homes or local communities.
5. Reunion playlist collaboration: Create a collaborative reunion playlist on a music streaming platform like Spotify. Invite classmates to add their favorite songs from their high school years.
Remember, pre-reunion activities are about building anticipation, reconnecting, and generating excitement for the main event.
Reunion activities and entertainment — let’s party!
Alright, it’s time to gather, so let’s make this reunion the ultimate blast from the past. Step into a time machine and be transported back to those carefree days of lockers, crushes, and questionable fashion choices.
The possibilities for reunion activities are endless! Here are some great ideas:
Icebreakers and group activities
Break the ice and get those conversations flowing with some fun and interactive activities. Set up a photo booth complete with props and costumes for hilarious snapshots.
Create a memory wall where classmates can share their favorite high school memories or embarrassing yearbook photos. How about a “Guess Who?” game where attendees try to match current faces with their high school yearbook pictures? Laughter and surprises are guaranteed!
Music and dancing
What’s a reunion without some epic dance moves and sing-along anthems?
Hire a DJ who knows how to read the crowd and spin those throwback hits that will transport everyone straight back to the dance floor of their teenage years. Don’t forget to include a playlist of nostalgic tunes that defined your high school era.
Get ready to dance like nobody’s watching (because, really, who cares about being cool anymore?).
How about showcasing the hidden talents of your classmates with a talent show? Whether it’s singing, dancing, comedy, or magic tricks, give everyone a chance to jump on stage.
Let your class’s divas and rock stars shine by organizing a karaoke reunion like the Vineland High School Class of 1997 did. Prepare a karaoke playlist of hit songs from high school and watch as your classmates belt out their favorite tunes.
It’s guaranteed to be a night filled with laughter, nostalgia, and maybe even some surprising vocal talents.
Memorabilia display
Bring out the yearbooks, old team jerseys, and memorabilia that defined your high school experience.
Set up a dedicated area where classmates can stroll down memory lane, reliving the glory days of sports victories, theater productions, and academic achievements.
Pro Tip: Add some interactive elements like a trivia game or a “Guess That Teacher” challenge.
Reminisce, laugh, and maybe even shed a tear or two (happy tears, of course)!
Did your class bury a time capsule during your high school years? If so, the reunion is the perfect time to dig it up and unveil its contents.
One more must-have is to set up a DIY yearbook station where classmates can create personalized reunion yearbook pages. Provide scrapbooking materials, markers, and photos, and let everyone design a page that reflects their high school experience. Afterward, collect all the pages to create a unique reunion yearbook.
Alumni recognition or awards
High school reunions are a perfect opportunity to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of your fellow alumni.
Organizing an awards ceremony will allow you to honor outstanding achievements in various categories like “Most Likely to Succeed,” “Life of the Party,” “Most Likely to Be a Social Media Influencer” or “Best Dressed Since Graduation,” or even “Best Hair Transformation.” Make it light-hearted and fun.
School sports tournaments
Organize a friendly sports tournament featuring the sports that your school excelled in, or that were popular during your high school years. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, or even a nostalgic game of dodgeball, it’s a great way to bring out the competitive spirit and create lasting memories.
Remember, catering to various interests and preferences is key to a successful reunion. Mix and match activities to create a schedule that offers something for everyone. The goal is to create an atmosphere where classmates can reconnect, have a blast, and make new memories together.
Dos and don’ts of reunion behavior
Ah, reunion etiquette! While you’ll want everyone to have a blast, it’s important to set a few ground rules.
- Do encourage laughter, hugs, and epic dance moves
- Don’t bring up old grudges or dive into controversial topics
- Do take lots of pictures and capture those memories
- Don’t forget to respect everyone’s personal boundaries and comfort levels
- Do keep the energy positive and the good vibes flowing throughout the entire event
With some simple rules, the reunion will flow more smoothly and everyone can have the same expectations.
Do dress for the occasion
Remember those questionable fashion choices you made years ago? Well, here’s your chance to embrace them (or not!).
Encourage classmates to dress in a way that represents their current style or one that harkens back to their high school fashion experiments. From neon leg warmers to crimped hair, let the dress code be a mix of nostalgia and personal expression.
After all, it’s a party, and there are no fashion police at the reunion.
Do reconnect with classmates
Believe it or not, high school reunions aren’t just about reminiscing and dancing the night away. They’re also a great opportunity to get back in touch with people you may not have seen in a long time and do some networking. Just make sure to follow some common rules about how to connect with your old friends.
Feel free to take advantage of the reunion to strengthen your professional network and explore potential career opportunities. But you should also be sure not to make your old friends feel like they’re being used as a stepping stone to your career aspirations. If you come off as too artificial, it could backfire and make it harder for you to connect with others.
Not everybody’s had the chance to cultivate their networking skills. To make the most of the occasion and set the tone for all the attendees, encourage classmates to share their professional journeys and ambitions. Who knows? The classmate you once sat next to in algebra might now be the CEO of a company you’d love to work for.
Do set personal goals
As you plan this unforgettable reunion, it’s essential to manage expectations. Encourage your classmates to set personal goals for the event, and don’t forget to set your own as well.
Maybe it’s reconnecting with a particular friend, conquering their fear of dancing, or simply having a good time. By setting these goals, attendees can focus on what truly matters to them and make the most of the reunion experience.
What happens after the event?
You did it! Your high school reunion was a smashing success, and now your attendees are buzzing. How can you make the most of this energy? Here are some suggestions to assess how it went and keep those connections going.
Evaluating success and satisfaction
After the reunion dust settles, take the time to evaluate the success of the event.
Reach out to your classmates and gather feedback on what they loved and any areas for improvement. Did the DJ rock the house? Was the food as delicious as promised?
By listening to their input, you’ll gather valuable insights for future reunions and ensure that each one surpasses the last.
Post-reunion engagement
Don’t let the reunion excitement fizzle out once the night is over. Keep the flame burning by fostering post-reunion engagement.
A high school reunion is not just about the here and now. It’s also a time for reflection, introspection, and growth. Encourage your classmates to share and stay connected.
For example, you could create a virtual space, like a Facebook group, where classmates can continue to share updates, photos, and memories.
Encourage classmates to organize mini-reunions in different cities or even plan future large-scale reunions. Keep the connections alive, and who knows? Your high school reunion might become an annual event that classmates eagerly look forward to.
A high school reunion isn’t a one-off event. It’s an opportunity to create a lasting tradition and a future to look forward to.
Ask your classmates to share their hopes and goals for the next reunion. Maybe they want to see more classmate performances, plan a destination reunion, or even include an alumni scholarship fund.
By collecting these aspirations, you’ll set the stage for even more unforgettable reunions in the years to come.
Get help organizing your high school reunion
Organizing a high school reunion is no small task, but with the help of Eventbrite, you have all the tools and resources you need to make it a resounding success.
From forming a dynamic reunion committee to planning engaging activities, Eventbrite has you covered. Remember to embrace the nostalgia, celebrate achievements, and foster connections that will last well beyond the event.
Keep the flame of reunion excitement alive with post-reunion engagement, and let your high school reunion become a tradition that classmates eagerly anticipate for years to come. Cheers to an epic reunion and a future filled with lasting memories!
