Reunion extras - further resources and organisation tips

We’re here to help you make your reunion memorable. While you’ll take the lead in planning the core elements of your event, the Alumni Office can offer guidance, practical tips, and (where possible) some added touches to enhance your celebrations. This might include:

• Advice - Tips and guidance on structuring your reunion day, managing timelines and RSVPs, advising on communications, finding old friends and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
• Promotion - To help you get started, we can advertise your reunion on our website and send the first invitation to your fellow alumni.
• Arranging tours (for on‑campus events, subject to availability) – Many alumni enjoy revisiting their old department. We’re happy to contact the school or department to check whether a tour might be possible. Please note that tours can’t be guaranteed, as availability depends on teaching, staffing, research activity and exam periods. We’ll let you know what’s possible and keep you updated.

We’re always happy to help talk through your plans, offer suggestions, and share what has worked well for other reunion organisers. If you’re not sure where to start, just let us know your vision via our reunion form and we’ll help you think it through. 

• Your role as host - As the host, you’ll be the main organiser of your event. This includes:
  • Choosing the date, time and venue
  • Booking the venue
  • Welcoming guests on the day
  • Meeting and greeting alumni
  • Sharing a few University updates
  • Liaising with the alumni office and sharing details of your event
• Choosing a venue
  • It could be a restaurant, bar, café, or even a picnic in the park - whatever works best for your group and local culture.
  • Choose a venue that is easy to reach by public transport and in a central, well-known area to reduce drop-outs. If guests are likely to drive, check for nearby or onsite parking.
  • Consider accessibility: Ensure step-free access, lifts (if needed), accessible toilets, and comfortable seating so everyone feels welcome.
• Paying for your event - We usually recommend that guests pay for their own food and drinks. Including an approximate cost per person in the event description is helpful. We do not expect hosts to cover any costs. If possible, choosing a venue that does not require a deposit can help reduce financial risk in case of drop-outs.
• During your event - we have designed some printable props to help you celebrate and signpost your presence at your venue to alumni.
• After your event - Please contact us via alumnievents@contacts.bham.ac.uk with how your event went, a group photograph (and permission for us to use the photograph on our social media channels) and the final attendance list.

Let us know what you're planning and how we can make your reunion extra-special via our reunion form.

• The University of Birmingham recommends Zoom to host your online meeting. Zoom have a ‘Getting Started’ guidance article to help get your reunion off the ground. Once your online meeting is scheduled, you will need to send the Meeting ID and Passcode to attendees so that they can join your meeting on the required date and time.
• You may wish to incorporate an interactive element to your online reunion such as a quiz. You can create a poll/quiz within your Zoom meeting. Other online options include Kahoot and Slido, where you will need to make a free account before you create your interactive element.
• Photo backgrounds of the University for Zoom calls and printable props can be found here for you to inject some campus magic into your online reunion. To set up a virtual background, you need to firstly save your desired background photo onto your computer or device. Whilst in the call, go to the ‘start/end video button’ in the bottom left corner, select the upward arrow to the right of the button and choose ‘choose virtual background’ from the dropdown menu

Let us know what you're planning and how we can make your reunion extra-special via our reunion form.

To help you with your celebrations we’ve created a Spotify playlist for each decade for you to play at your reunion or gathering. If we’re missing any of your favourite songs, then please send us an email to let us know.

Click the below to be taken to the sounds of…

• Spotify – Class of 1960s - we hope you enjoy reminiscing to the sounds of The Beatles, Frankie Valli, and The Beach Boys.
• Spotify – Class of 1970s - we hope you enjoy reminiscing to the sounds of Elton John, Abba, and Queen.
• Spotify – Class of 1980s - we hope you enjoy reminiscing to the sounds of Wham!, Madonna, and Bon Jovi.
• Spotify – Class of 1990s - we hope you enjoy reminiscing to the sounds of Oasis, Spice Girls, and Vanilla Ice.
• Spotify – Class of 2000s - we hope you enjoy reminiscing to the sounds of Beyonce, The Killers, and Taylor Swift.
• Spotify – Class of 2010s - we hope you enjoy reminiscing to the sounds of Avicii, Flo Rider, and Sia.