It's graduation season and we'd like to formally congratulate all of the recent 2022 graduates! Whether it's high school or college, graduating is a major milestone that's worth throwing a party for. When it comes time to plan the perfect graduation party for your graduate, there's a few things you should consider. There's also a checklist you can work your way through to make sure you have everything in place in time. If there's any details you need assistance with, know that you can rely on the Salem Convention Center as your hosting center to help the process along. We've put together a graduation guide to help you plan and experience the perfect party. A graduation party signifies a memory being made, an accomplishment achieved, and a new chapter beginning. Keep reading to learn how to create a graduation party worth remembering. Checklist 30 Days Before the Party At this time you should be picking a date to celebrate the success of the recent graduate. Depending on who is attending and the schedules you need to work around, picking a week or weekend date will be up to you. If you have questions about which dates are available for your graduation party, don't hesitate to reach out and ask us! We're always happy to check our calendar and find a time that will work for you, if possible and availability allows. For music, if you're planning on hiring a DJ to spin some tunes at your party, this would be the time to reach out and make that request. For DJ referrals, reach out to us today. We'd be happy to recommend local DJ's to jazz up your event. If you're planning to feed your guests, which we recommend at a graduation party, this is the time to start honing in on that menu. If you're planning on including a catering service with your graduation event, this would be the time to let us know. At the Salem Convention Center, we provide a full scale catering service that can have exquisite food on the table whenever you and your guests are ready to eat. To see what our catering menu looks like, click here. Any additional decorations or party supplies you'll need should be purchased at this time too. At the Salem Convention Center, all tables/chairs, linens, house centerpieces, etc are included in your room rental fee, so you are able to easily enhance the space with additional items, but it is not necessary! 3 Weeks Before the Party When you're 3 weeks away from party time, it's a good idea to solidify your guest list. This leaves enough time for you to make or buy enough invitations and enough time for you to send them out to everyone. Whether you decide to buy your invitations or create them yourself, as long as you provide these key details to your guests, your invitation will get the correct information across: What you are inviting them to. When the graduation party happens. Be sure to include both the date and the time. Where you are hosting your party. How they can get there. If they're required to bring anything. A request to RSVP if you'd like. 1 Week Before the Party The week leading up to the party should consist of any final touches you or your party supplies need. This includes any hair, nail or other spa appointments that need to happen for yourself or the graduate, picking out what you want to wear to the party and preparing any decorations the day before. Once you complete this 30 day checklist, all that's left is to show up and have a great time! Things to Consider Themes Sometimes, it's fun to have an established theme for your graduation party. This could be something more standard like the graduate's school colors or something more personal like their future career path, favorite color, or another personal preference you can spin into a theme. If a themed grad party is important to you, let us know! We're glad to extend our wide array of table settings, lights, tablecloths and additional decor to help match your theme. Day of Preparations On the day of the graduation party, the focus should be on the graduate! This isn't the time for you to stress over last minute decorations, food prep, or any other arrangements. Fortunately for you, we've got those last minute details covered for you. When you choose to host a graduation party with the Salem Convention Center, you choose to let us handle those tasks for you. From set up to tear down, we're here to make sure your graduation party is as smooth as possible, so you can fully immerse yourself in the moment and have a good time. You've earned it! Photo Displays We can provide full projector screens, as well as TVs so you can proudly display your senior's pictures and your favorite memories from the past years that they've been in school. A full supply of technology equipment and event enhancements makes it easy to create a standout slideshow to present to your guests at your graduation party. If you have questions about our technology equipment or which display option is the best for your photos and event, contact us today. We're here to help guide you through the graduation party process. FAQ When Should I Start Planning My Graduation Party? Ideally, to give yourself and your guests enough time to plan, and to secure a spot at our venue, you should plan at least 30 days out from your desired graduation party date. Most people tend to graduate between late May and late June. That means that right now is the best time to start planning that party! You know what they say, there's no time like the present! What Games are Fun to Play at a Graduation Party? Mad Libs These are fun to leave on the tables for guests to fill out as they sit and eat. They make wonderful ice breakers for guests who may not already be acquainted and are a fun way to get people in the party mood. Pin the Tassel on the Grad Cap This is a classic take on Pin the Tail on the Donkey-a timeless kids game. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy it nowadays though. Have yourself or your guests put on a blindfold and make their best attempt at pinning the tassel on the grad cap. Match the Superlative Another great icebreaker game! Write out classic and/or unique superlatives and leave them in a jar on each table. When guests arrive and choose their seats, they can take turns drawing and assigning a superlative to someone else at the table. “...and the best dressed superlative goes to…” Celebrating your graduate is a core memory waiting to be created. It's even more meaningful when you get to celebrate in a beautiful space that reflects their achievement and can comfortably fit all of your friends and family. If you're still filling in a few blanks on planning a graduation party, remember we're here to help your event go off without a hitch. We can help guide you through which room and event enhancements would be the best for your party-it's what we do! Now throw your cap in the air and get down on the dancefloor like you just don't care-except that you should care because you just ~graduated~ and that's an incredible accomplishment! We wish the graduates of 2022 success, continued growth, and luck in all their new endeavors.
