Wharton MBA Reunion logo text reads MBA Reunion Weekend 2026 May 15-16

Regional Class-Planned Pre-Reunion Events

A class-planned Pre-Reunion Event is a great opportunity to gather as a class, focus on networking with fellow classmates, and create excitement for MBA Reunion Weekend.

Class-planned events are for all current reunion-year alumni sponsored and planned by the class Committee, with some support from Wharton.

  • The Committee is responsible for reserving space at a bar, restaurant, or classmate’s home for their Pre-Reunion class gathering.
  • In order to avoid multiple Wharton events in the same region, the date of the event must be approved by Wharton Special Events prior to marketing the event.
  • Pre-Reunion events are typically a cocktail reception. The recommended length is between one to two hours.
  • The Committee is responsible for negotiating deals with the venue for food and/or drink specials. Wharton will contribute a sum of money towards food or the first round of drinks.
  • Wharton Marketing & Communications will not send e-blasts on behalf of the committee to promote the event but will provide a branded email template for the Committee to use for peer-to-peer outreach. The Committee is strongly encouraged to promote the event through social media outlets as well. Wharton AR Liaisons may also assist in marketing your Pre-Reunion event.
  • Event information will be posted to your Class Page. You can find your class page (and use this link to promote your event) here: https://alumni.wharton.upenn.edu/reunion/#class-pages
  • Wharton requests a two-week lead time before the event to add information and registration links.

Step-by-step Guide and checklist to planning a Pre-Reunion Event

  • Reach out to your Reunion class liaison (listed below) to express interest in planning a pre-reunion event for your class or for all reunion-year alumni in your city. Provide a few preferred dates.
  • Alumni Relations will work with Wharton Events to confirm the best date for your event and will confirm your event date within a day or two.
  • Once you have chosen the venue and time for your event, you may place a deposit and sign any contract to secure your date.
  • Use Eventbrite or Paperless Post, or your preferred RSVP-collection site, to create a registration link for your classmates and share all details, including a brief description of the event.
  • Share all of this information, including the RSVP link, with your Reunion Liaisons. They will make sure your event is listed on your Reunion Class Page.
  • Wharton Alumni Relations will contribute funds to assist in offering your attendees a first round of drinks or a reception display of food in appreciation for your commitment to planning the event for your classmates. The amount for each event will depend of the number of attendees and geographical location of the event.
  • Continue to promote your event!
  • Wharton Alumni Relations will also provide Wharton-branded cocktail napkins, swag, and name tags for your attendees and to enhance the branding of your event.
  • A Reunion liaison may attend your event to assist with day-of event details.
  • Once your event is completed, send a list of all classmates who attended the event to Alumni Relations so that we are able to maintain clean data and analytics on all Reunion-related event attendance (if a Wharton staffer attends your event, they will keep track of attendance on your behalf).
  • It is recommended that a follow-up email be sent to attendees to thank them for joining you. Suggested marketing timeline listed below.

Reunion Liaisons by class year:

Class of 2025: Brielle Sneed bsneed@wharton.upenn.edu

Class of 2021: Helen Formanes formanes@wharton.upenn.edu

Class of 2016: Molly Unangst munangst@wharton.upenn.edu

Class of 2011: Molly Unangst munangst@wharton.upenn.edu       

Class of 2006: Molly Unangst munangst@wharton.upenn.edu

Class of 2001: Molly Unangst munangst@wharton.upenn.edu

Class of 1996: Jim Savoie jsavoie@wharton.upenn.edu

Class of 1991: Helen Formanes formanes@wharton.upenn.edu

Class of 1986: Helen Formanes formanes@wharton.upenn.edu

1981, 1976 and Wharton Graduate Emeritus Society: Helen Formanes formanes@wharton.upenn.edu

Suggested Planning and Marketing Timeline for your Pre-Reunion Event

Email template shared below

6 weeks out:    Email all classmates (either just in your class year or all   Reunion-year alumni in your region) requesting that they Save the Date for your event. Note: it is not recommended that you invite all Wharton alumni in your region – instead keep this Reunion-focused.

4 weeks out:    Email an official invite to your classmates including the date, time, location, and RSVP link to sign up to attend (at this point it will also be listed on your Reunion Class Page).

2 weeks out:    Email reminder to RSVP

1 week out:     (Optional) reminder to RSVP

Post-Event:     Recommend that the Committee sends a Thank You for            Attending email, and include a link to register for Reunion with reminders about Early Bird discounts (if applicable), and hotel room block links.

 

Email Template for Marketing Your Event

This can be easily copied and pasted into an Outlook email or modified for use in an Eventbrite-based email

 

Subject: Celebrate with your WG’XX classmates in <CITY or REGION>!

Dear WG’xx Classmates,

You are invited to <insert general descriptive copy here>. We look forward to finally getting together with many of our classmates in person!

We hope to see you there,

Your WG’XX Reunion Committee

<Day>, <Date>

X Time p.m. – X Time p.m. <Time Zone>

 

Name of Venue

Venue address


   embed RSVP link here or share text of RSVP link

 

**Best practice is to copy your Reunion Liaison on the invitation list