1. Financing the event. We assume all financial obligations, starting with paying the deposit to reserve the venue for the reunion. Class Act doesn't require or ask for any funding from the committee or other members of the class. We pay all expenses associated with the reunion, including, but not limited to: venue rental fees, food costs, gratuity/service charges, the class search, printing and postage for mailed notifications, credit-card processing, phone bills, any fee for music services, decorations, website maintenance and security, and administrative and event staffing.

Attendees pay Class Act for their admission to the reunion. What remains after we pay all of the expenses is the compensation for our time and effort.

2. Finding a suitable reunion location. The choice is made mutually by the reunion committee and Class Act. The hardest part of our job - by far - is finding good venues, meaning places that will give us a good combination of privacy (so the group isn't mixed in with the general public), and affordability (so we can keep the admission price under $50). Also, we like venues that make some "geographical sense" to the school (if possible). In addition, we seek out places where parking is reasonably-priced or, better yet, complimentary.

3. Having a good admission price. As we point out on the Chalk Talk (Q&A) page, the higher the admission price, the fewer people will attend. We have a responsibility to the committee and the class to stage an event to appeal to as many people as possible. It means not setting an admission price that will turn them off. The advance price for a Class Act reunion is rarely over $50 per person, and often less. That's lower than the cost to attend many other reunions in the Houston area - even those coordinated by classes on their own (!)

4a. Getting the word out. Besides an attractive price, the most important facet of reunion planning is publicizing the event. That's done by locating the members of the class, and communicating the details to them via print and social media. More than anything, the reunion is judged by the turnout. And the more people who know about the event, the better the turnout. Thanks to our experience in locating people, we usually reach more people than would a class working on its own. We also locate people who, for whatever reason, didn't graduate with the rest of the class. At most every reunion we stage, at least one or two of those will attend.

BTW: We don't need to search for classmates who are part of a Facebook group for a class. By being members of the FB site, they're already "found."

Note: For committees who are working on their own but would like assistance with the search for the class, or for those on the "missing list," we're happy to help. We charge $100 to set up the database (meaning the class lisi), then $4 per person located, and $2 more if you want us to mail them a reunion-notification postcard. (There is a $2 charge for each person we're unable to find, or who we learn is deceased.) For a group we've worked with before, the fees are reduced. Just contact us for more info.

4b. Producing notification postcards and posts. Because people won't sift through long paragraphs and endless details, this is a challenge: You have to convey quite a bit of info, but do so quickly and in a limited amount of space. Class Act manages to do that, as evidenced by the fact that we receive very few phone calls or emails from people who don't understand the details of the reunion.

5. Ordering and paying for food.  We serve "light bites" (hors d'oeuvres) that are recognizable, can be eaten pretty quickly and, from our experience, have mass appeal. Sorry, no mushroom caps or jalapeno poppers! (We select the items offered, although suggestions from the reunion committee will be considered.) Since the event is a party and not a banquet, the food is available self-serve style. That means people can sit where they want, for as long as they want. Overall, the focus of our events is people, not food. Note: Our reunions include a complimentary water station and, if possible, iced-tea..

6. Arranging for music.  For venues where music can be easily heard, it will be played via a streaming service or a DJ - not a band - and reflect the period when the class was in school. So the volume can be adjusted if need be. That means people don't have to shout as they visit with each other. Note: At some venues with "harsh acoustics" - such as Cadillac Bar - or that don't allow client-supplied music, we would go with whatever music can be piped in.

7. Producing name tags. For those who pay in advance, the tags are laser-printed in large, easily-read letters. For several reasons we don't put yearbook photos on tags. For one, at least a quarter of the class didn't have a yearbook photo taken. And of those who did, many don't consider it a work of art and aren't excited about "wearing" it at the reunion. If someone wants to put a face with a name, a yearbook and class photos are almost always nearby.

8. Providing decorations. We provide balloons in the school colors. They're tasteful, not tacky. Also, we encourage the committees to display memorabilia from high school: photos, school newspapers, awards and spirit ribbons, even items such as sports, cheerleader or band uniforms. All of these things give the reunion a personal and colorful touch.

9. Staffing the event. We have staff there throughout the event, getting reunion-goers checked in and ensuring that everything goes smoothly. This enables the committee members to enjoy the reunion along with the other attendees. They don't have to stress over all the details.....like whether more ice is needed at the water station (!)

Class Act works with the committee from the time we're hired until the event is over. We're known for being flexible and open-minded. So any ideas the committee might have will be considered, and whenever possible, incorporated into the event. In addition, we keep the committee head abreast of our progress as the reunion draws closer.