Cornell University

"Finally, an event platform built with engaging alumni audiences in mind. Looking forward to seeing Forumm lead the way as it continues to evolve and support alumni engagement events."

Michael O’Neill

Associate Director of Digital Engagement

How To Future Proof Your Alumni Engagement By Focusing On Hybrid Events

David presenting our findings at CASE District 1 in Boston

Bringing Cornell University Alumni Leadership Week to a Global Audience

Turning Ithaca’s Alumni Event into a Worldwide Gathering

When Cornell first reached out about their annual Alumni Leadership Week, we couldn’t wait to get started! This is the big one for Cornell – a three-day whirlwind of talks, networking, and deep dives into leadership topics held on campus in Ithaca. But this year, they wanted to make it accessible to alumni all over the world. Because not everyone can just hop over to New York, right?
So, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work on making this hybrid vision a reality. The plan was to create a virtual experience that made online attendees feel as close to the action as the folks actually in the room. And we had our work cut out for us: live interactions, online Q&As, breakout sessions, and a whole four-week replay period to boot! Weekly check-ins with Cornell’s alumni team helped us iron out every last detail, and before we knew it, event day was around the corner.

The Game Plan: Crafting a Perfect Hybrid Event

We kicked things off by customising our platform just for Cornell. From alumni-only chat spaces to seamless registration (alumni reference IDs included!), we made sure this digital experience felt like Cornell through and through. And that wasn’t all. We set up everything the team would need to keep online and in-person audiences connected, like giving hosts live access to audience questions and comments so everyone could join the conversation.

Here’s how we kept engagement high and energy flowing over three packed days:

Live Stages and Breakout Spaces: The main stage was buzzing with keynotes and panels, while five breakout spaces let attendees dive into smaller group discussions. Whether tuning in from the U.S. or beyond, everyone could find their “seat” and jump between sessions without missing a beat.
Hybrid Networking Nights: What’s an alumni event without a little networking? We set up evening sessions on Forumm where everyone could chat, reconnect, and share stories. Even online, it felt like you were right there swapping business cards and ideas.
3D Campus Tours: Because let’s face it, Cornell’s campus is gorgeous. We added 3D tours of the labs and other facilities so virtual attendees could explore without leaving their laptops—making them feel just a little closer to the heart of Cornell.

The Big Result? A Truly Connected Global Event

And wow, did Cornell’s alumni show up! With over 300 people in-person and 750 joining online, it was a global event in every sense. The platform buzzed with live talks, interactive sessions, and plenty of places for alumni to connect, bridging any physical distance between them.

A few highlights we’re pretty proud of:

Accessibility for All: By meeting WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards, we ensured Cornell Leadership Week was as inclusive as possible. It’s a key part of our work and something we’ll always stand behind.
Four Weeks of Replay: Can’t make the 8 a.m. session? No problem. Attendees could revisit talks anytime in the following month, which was a hit (especially for hot topics like “Global Sustainability: The 2030 Project”).
A Custom Cornell Look: Forumm’s backend magic allowed us to align every colour, font, and layout with Cornell’s branding. It looked and felt like Cornell in every way—and alumni loved it.

Celebrating Collaboration

Teaming up with Cornell to bring this hybrid experience to life reminded us just how powerful virtual events can be. Working closely with Cornell’s production team meant every talk, Q&A, and interactive session came off flawlessly, making for a memorable experience that everyone could appreciate.

Want to chat about hosting an upcoming event on Forumm? We’d love to. Just leave your details below:

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