KELC EVENTS
Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center
Creating Community Engagement through Events
Sports Management
Kalamazoo Area Runners
Kalamazoo Area Runners is one the largest run clubs in the state of Michigan. The mission of the Kalamazoo Area Runners is to promote a healthy lifestyle through the sport of running while enhancing the quality of life in the community and has members of all different abilities.
KELC partners with KAR to assist them in the planning, execution, and event day support for their community events. We work with board members to create event design, identify customer experience benchmarks, and manage event timelines. Our interns support the social media elements as well as organize packet pick-up, aid station coordinating, and manage "game day" operations.
Kal-Haven Trail Ultra Run (Presented by KAR)
First presented in 1991, the Kal-Haven Trail Ultra Run is a point to point 33.5 mile race on a "rails to trails" on a crushed limestone surface. The event begins in Kalamazoo at the Kal-Haven Trail's 10th Street trail head and finishes in South Haven. Kal-Haven Trail Run benefits Girls on the Run of Greater Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo Area Runners. It has been a RRCA State Champion event alternating years in the past.
When: Kal- Haven Trailhead
Where: Spring
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kalhaventrailrun
Website:
When: in February, Annually
Where: Loy Norrix High School
Website:
https://portagewinterblast.wordpress.com/
Facebook Page:
Winter Blast Half Marathon (Presented by KAR)
The 10th Annual Winter Blast Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, presented in partnership by Kalamazoo Area Runners, Susan G. Komen Michigan, KELC Events and the City of Portage will be held on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Runners and spectators alike are invited to join in this extraordinary community celebration of health and wellness. The courses highlight the Portage trail system and include a mix of mostly flat paved bike trails and roads.
Turkey Trot (Presented by KAR)
Kalamazoo Area Runner’s Turkey Trot gives participants the opportunity to race for their well-being before they race for seconds at the dinner table! Held each year on Thanksgiving morning, the Turkey Trot 5K Time Prediction Run is a holiday tradition and a perfect way to celebrate Thanksgiving while financially supporting the Kalamazoo Area Runners. The event features awards, giveaways, camaraderie, and metals for the people who have the fastest time within their age categories.
When: Thanksgiving Morning
Where: Portage Cross Country Course
Social Media:
Website: www.karturkeytrot.wordpress.com
Bunny Hop Fun Run (Presented by KAR)
Children will be hunting for Easter eggs through the field outside Moorsbridge Elementary School. Peeps (0-2 yrs old), Baby Bunnies (3-5 yrs old) and Little Bunnies (6-8 yrs old) will scavenge for eggs in two separate areas of the Easter Bunny’s Playground, based on their age or abilities. Big Bunnies (9-10 yrs old) will run a one-mile cross-country course, while hunting for the Easter Bunny’s eggs. Refreshments and door prizes are provided in the school cafeteria after the run! Children must be accompanied by an adult, but do not have to run.
When: Easter Weekend, April 10th, 2022
Where: Moorsbridge Elementary
Grand Opening
Classic Car Club of America Grand Opening
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The Classic Car Club of America recently held their grand opening of their new expansion of their museum at the Gilmore Car museum. This was an exclusive event that hosted guests from around the United States with a 3-day itinerary including a black tie optional dinner, ribbon cutting, afterglow, tours, a luncheon, and association events weaved into the weekend.
KELC provided event management services to coordinate the black tie optional design elements, food and beverage, and execution. We were hired to help in planning the weekend, creating all of the print materials and documents, welcoming guests to the Radisson and all the different venues, managing transportation, event day execution. The event schedule allowed students to learn event day operations including room design, flipping rooms, and exclusive guest servicing.
This expansion showcased the pinnacle of engineering, styling and design for their era, the Full Classics® displayed at the Museum were built between 1925 and 1948, typically in limited production numbers. Believed to be the largest in the world, the collection of nearly 700 rare, exciting and original hood ornaments are displayed in the CCCA Museum for visitors to enjoy.
Fundraising
Roof Sit (Presented by community Healing Center)
Community Healing Center's (CHC) Roof Sit is an annual three-day fundraising event for programs that provide treatment and prevention services for children who have suffered physical or sexual abuse. This is a multi-element event that features a telethon-designed radio appeal, auction dinner, Tips for Kids, puppy pile, children's games, and volunteer engagement to collect donations. Proceeds benefit CHC's Children's Advocacy Center, which offers compassionate, specialized care for children who are victims of sexual or severe physical abuse.
KELC services provide 24 hour, 3 day event support for the implementation of the fundraising event. Student interns learn the intensity of managing programs that spread among several locations and are implemented simultaneously. Working with a premiere radio station for content creation and "talking points" telethon creation provides a new element to event execution. The solicitation of auction items, coordination of an online auction program, and fundraising dinner supports key learnings on fundraising elements. All combined, this event is a public relations, communications learning experience.
Website: https://www.communityhealingcenter.org/events/roof-sit
When: Typically the 3 weekend in May
Where: The parking lot at Southland Mall
Radio Host: WKFR - 103.3 TownSquare Media
Festivals
New Year's Fest
New Year’s Fest is an all-ages showcase of performing arts that takes place on New Year's Eve in Downtown Kalamazoo and is over 36 years old. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and runs until 12 a.m. to ring in the New Year. Our 2021 New Year's Fest featured 4 indoor performance locations, 2 heated tents, and live music from Bronson Park Stage. Performances include bands, performers (magic, storytelling, unique acts, and jugglers, theatre, and interactive performances that get the audience moving. There are also outdoor street performers.
We work directly with the New Year's Fest board to schedule venues, performers, tents, volunteers, security, fireworks and special speakers. We make all of the print material and digital marketing. We run the entire event from start to finish on event day and complete the entire planning process.
website: www.newyearsfest.com
Conferences & Symposiums
RPM Symposium (Presented by Heco)
The RPM (Reliability Process & Maintenance) Symposium, is a Midwest-based conference event where end users can network and learn about industrial facilities, reliability, maintenance best practices, electric motor driven powertrains, IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) Solutions, and so much more! This conference is NOT sales pitches – it is real technology and education right in front of your eyes!
KELC provides event management services that included event design, exhibit booth and vendor support services, speaker coordination, and food and beverages support. Marketing materials creation and event day signage responsibilities supported our mission of connecting college interns to the excitement and event day challenge of seamlessly providing a conference that included registration, event day conference room preparation and food and beverage integration.
