Event Planning
Event Program
CUD Media Impact MCM 220 E1 course of fall 2019-20 will be organizing a Debate event on the 9th of December, taking place in the Canadian University Dubai Campus – Red Theatre from 2 PM to 5 PM.
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The debate topic assigned to Erudite is if electronic media is making us more or less illiterate. Erudite has decided collectively to invite students, staff, and faculty of the CUD community to attend the debate (internal); in addition, we are inviting students and speakers from other schools/organizations (external) to help increase number of attendees and add to the events agenda. Making our target audience mainly students and faculty of communications.
Anticipated Effects
As the Self Determination theory states, this event will give students (external and internal) the opportunity to connect and interact with one another and motivate them to attend on a common interest within their community rather than any external influence (Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. 1985). Furthermore, as the Learning theory states it is required to have the active involvement of the learner for them to process absorb and retain information (verbal – visual - experiential). The Media Impact Debate will be the perfect occasion for them to experience and challenge their assumptions, prejudices and stereotypes. Doing so by increasing student retention of information learned and expanding their minds - increases their understanding of multiple sides of important issues.
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Promotions and Marketing
The Poster created for the function will be used as an invite for guests as; making it open to all CUD students, faculty and staff; alongside our respective guests who will receive the poster. It will also be utilized to promote the event using the logo and design done by the Branding and Promotion team; as the Anthropological Theory states, it is important to focus on the symbolic value of events to help give meaning to the occasion (Harris, M. 2001). Therefore, we have focused on making both the logo and design as clear and relatable to our target audience to help them connect and relate to the significance of the event to our daily life/ attract them to take part in the experience. Moreover, with the help of the CUD Events Planning team , we have collectively agreed on hosting the event at the theatre on campus using the booking form (Appendix 3) as it suits the requirements of the event such as: welcoming a maximum of 100 guests, a podium, audiovisuals and much more. We have also requested for support from the Marketing and Communications Department for sending out emails, SMS’s, and social media reminders/coverage to CUD students and faculty (Appendix 2).
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Event Structure
This term we have decided to take a different approach on organizing the event and will replace unbearable tables and chairs with fashionable furniture like the couches we found from Hall D on campus. Not only is it stylish but it’s much more comfortable for the debaters and moderator to sit on since they will remain seated for a long period of time. Regarding on debaters taking notes during discussions, they can bring their own notebooks placing it on their laps and write normally or we can supply them with the miniature tables found on campus. The reason why we considered not using table and chairs because it doesn’t provide a satisfactory back support and ensures us that the audience won’t be disturbed by constant movement from pain, plus we want to dodge last semesters event organization and build an interesting setting since it’s creative and modern. As stated by an article called “Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation,” which was published by Jack Dennerlein who is a senior lecturer on ergonomics and safety at Harvard University, said that chairs can cause long term
issues for students for instance permanent neck and back damage as well as headaches which can result in lack of focus that originates from the feeling of discomfort. Jack also stated that “Desks can also cause strain on students’ backs and necks, as they are often too low for a students’ reach. This causes their necks to bend forward, putting extreme strain on their lower backs including pressure on the glutes since the hard chairs provide zero support”.
Element of comfort
The concept of an ergonomic couch came from the Austrian neurologist and the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud. He traveled the anatomy of the mind and came up with a therapeutic framework that was used to understand and solve mental problems. Freud who happens to be a hypnotist used the couch as a crucial tool in psychoanalysis work. His new way of therapy made him realize that couches offered his patients relaxation and comfort which lead them to open up to share feelings and thoughts. As the years went by Freud witnessed plethora patients using couches to assist him grow his popular theories about how the mind functions, other psychoanalysts started to utilize couches as a part of their practice.
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Auxiliary Accessories
In addition, we will add a few potted plants as decoration which will situate on the sides of the seating area. According to a study that is published in the journal of physiological anthropology, plants are beneficial and can diminish psychological stress along with anxiety because their soil hold outdoorphins. It can also help to boost the debaters’ moods and allows their brain to build more serotonin. As stated by a study that is published in the “Journal of Physiological Anthropology”, one of the researchers Min-sun Lee concluded that indoor plants can diminish psychological stress by subduing the autonomic nervous system activity in young adults. This is mentioned because it has to do with human behavior and we want to create a calm, stress free atmosphere for the moderator, debaters and the audience.
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Intriguing the audience
The team concurred on taking advantage of the podium where the speakers can place their crucial notes while standing and engaging the audience with confidence and passion simultaneously delivering serious content. The purpose of using podiums is clear, we want the debaters to own the stage and give their best shot and mainly connect with the audience since this can be considered generally as education. As claimed by Halina St James in an article mentioning how Martin Lautlippe who is an inspirational speaker used “heart power” as a successful strategy to win an audience's attention. At the same time, the lighting will be focused on them, and can maintain eye contact as this debate is targeting millennials.
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Proposed Costs and Requirements
Moreover, the CUD Student Council will be assisting in the budgeting (Figure 5) used for the event and on-site help needed on December 9th. As we meet all different departments on campus in the upcoming week, AV, IT, communication and labor work support will be provided. Audio visual requirements vary from lights to sound systems, while IT takes charge of master presentations and any help needed for the background projector. The communications team will help get both internal and external posters approved and ready for promotion via social media, student email, and SMS. Labor work will also be necessary to help set up the furniture on stage and any other heavy lifting that will compulsory.
During the November 3rd – 9thth, our main focus is to confirm all required details (location, time, guests, catering) to help the Branding and Promotion team have the obligatory information needed on the poster. Once all has been approved, the promoting process beings internally on campus and as mentioned earlier externally for the guests.