Logistics are one of the most challenging aspects of planning an event at MIT Sloan, requiring strong project management skills, attention to detail, and a degree of resilience or "Plan B" thinking. Below you'll find guidelines to help you plan logistics for your event from soup to nuts.
This page covers: Selecting and Promoting Your Event Date, Tabling, Space/Venue, Atlas Event Setup/Cleaning Requests, Event Registration, Food, Other Vendors (A/V, Facilities, Etc.), Event Setup, Ticket Sales, & Tracking Attendance, SWAG, Local Accommodation, Parking and Transportation, Risk Management, Accessibility and Disability Planning Resources, and Sustainability.
Selecting and Promoting Your Event Date
Deciding on the date and time for your event can potentially make or break its success. When choosing a date for your event, consider:
Does it conflict with other events?
Check the following calendars to make sure your target date avoids conflicting with other events:
Does it conflict with classes?
Remember that students cannot skip classes to attend events. This is particularly relevant for Case Competitions, Conferences, and Treks. In some cases, you might provide half-day tickets to students so that they can fit the event in with their class schedules.
I selected an event date. Now what?
Once you've chosen your event date, it is important that you add your event to any of the applicable calendars above, so that other event planners (and your target audience) know in advance about your event (see Publicity & marketing).
Tabling
Where to table?
Three locations have been identified in the E62 Roberts Family Forum where MIT Sloan organizations and departments can set up table displays to promote their activities. Your Club Space Signatory may reserve a table in the E62 Roberts Family Forum using Robin.
Table display requests must be approved by Sloan Educational Services and are permitted Monday through Friday, from 9:30am-4:30pm. You are responsible for the set up and break down of your table display. Tables can be picked up in SES, E52-133 after 9:15am and must be returned by 4:45pm. The furniture (including tables and chairs) in the Siteman Dining Room/Roberts Family Forum may not be moved or used for table displays. Restrictions on music and food sales apply. The people staffing these table must be members of the MIT community and are expected to remain at said tables and not attempt to "solicit" passersby.
If you are promoting ticket sales or merchandise:
Keep in mind, if you are promoting ticket sales or merchandise, it is against MIT Policy to enter third party credit card information into your laptop. If tabling, please request all customers to purchase tickets or merch on their own personal devices.
Space/Venue
Space is a hot commodity at MIT and in the greater Boston area, so demand typically outstrips supply. We always recommend that you look into booking space ASAP and consider more than one option in case your top choice is booked. This section will walk you through your options on-campus as well as off-campus.
Classrooms (Sloan Campus)
For many general events, such as lunchtime speaker series, it makes sense to stay on Sloan's campus and use classroom space. Your club's Space Reserver can request rooms through the MIT Sloan Classroom Request Form.
Public Space (Sloan Campus)
MIT Sloan Public Space includes:
Public Space at Sloan is booked through Robin. You can find guidelines on how to use Robin to book Public Space here.
Classroom and Public Space Scheduling Policies
Recreational Space at MIT
In order to reserve CAC or DAPER spaces, your club's space reserver will need to create an account on Mazevo using this form. You can also email daperscheduling@mit.edu for DAPER spaces only.
MIT On-Campus (and Off) Event Spaces
The Garage at Martin Trust Center
Campus Activities Complex (CAC) (Walker Memorial, Kresge, Stata, etc.)
Booking Space at CAC:
The designated Space Reserver from each student group may set up an account with CAC by completing this application. Setting up an account will provide you access to the CAC virtual scheduling system.
Once this account is set up with CAC that club officer may reserve CAC space online. If you want CAC to set up your reserved space in a particular way, then contact them several weeks prior to the event (there is a charge for some furniture pieces).
Off Campus Venues
Greater Boston offers a variety of additional venue options for MIT Sloan events. The Student Life Office will help you take stock of venues that have worked well for prior MIT Sloan events, as well as guide you through finding new spaces.
Atlas Event Setup/Cleaning Requests
Sloan Classroom & iHQ Events
Classroom reservations at Sloan (if food will be served) and all event spaces at iHQ require that "Event Setup/Cleaning" arrangements are made via Atlas. Please note that students do not have access to submit this type of request. Please contact Student Life to submit a request on behalf of your club. Once we have submitted the request, we will forward you a copy.
Kindly email slquestions@mit.edu with the following information at least one week in advance of your event:
Event Registration (Atlas)
MIT requires that certain events be registered in order to monitor risk and ensure the safety of all participants. Below, you'll find guidelines on the event registration process. Need help registering an event? Check out this helpful video on how to register an event here.
How do you know whether your event must be registered?
Registration is required for on and off campus events when:
When does your event need to be registered?
What is the registration and approval process?
Keep in mind that the Student Life Office requires you to enter your event into SloanGroups in order to receive approval. All events should be added to SloanGroups, regardless of if they need to be registered in Atlas.
Food, Catering, and Cafe Vouchers
First and foremost (and especially if your event is on-campus), make sure that the space allows food and drink. There are several rooms and venues, such as Wong Auditorium, where these refreshments are prohibited.
How do you make sure to order the correct amount of food? You may want to link to an RSVP form in your event promotions:
Do I need a certificate of Insurance?
If the vendor you select serves the food (rather than simply dropping it off), you will need to get their Certificate of Insurance beforehand. Give this document to the Student Life Office.
E62 Cafe Vouchers for Event Guests:
There are now 2 voucher options at E62 Cafe:
Groups will be charged for the number of pre-determined vouchers up front.
Contact Restaurant Associates (RA), Catering Director, Megan Hayward meganhay@mit.edu to inquire about purchasing vouchers. Provide the date and time of your event and the number of vouchers you would like to purchase. Ordering lunch vouchers requires three business day's notice.
Looking to bring a food truck to campus?
City of Cambridge Approved Food Truck List
MIT Preferred Food Vendors:
Other Vendors (A/V, Decor, Printing, DJ, Facilities
In addition to choosing a suitable caterer, many events require tapping additional vendors. Depending on your event type, you may or may not need to consider the following types of vendors:
MIT Audio Visual Services
MIT Audio Visual Services provides technical support and equipment for any MIT-related event. To order In order A/V services or equipment, submit your request form via MySloan. You may also contact MIT Audio Visual Services at (617)-253-2808.
Decor
Student Life can help you find vendors that provide furniture (especially tables and chairs), lighting, entertainment, etc. Please note, there a number of policies to bear in mind when planning decorations for your event. Review the Risk Management section of this page to ensure compliance.
Printed Materials
MIT CopyTech is a full-service print/copy facility on campus. They will also deliver to Sloan.
Sound Choice Events
Sound Choice Events is also a recommended A/V vendor offering sound/lighting/DJ packages that are often less expensive than vendors simply offering A/V services. Sound Choice Events can be reached at (617)-909-4700 or contact@bostonsoundchoice.com.
Facilities
MIT Department of Facilities provides services including but not limited to custodial, trash, recycling, and room/furniture setup. Additional information may be found on the Event Setup portion of the Facilities website. You can make a service request through your Atlas account.
Looking for vendors? Check out the Preferred Supplier Search: MIT's online directory of preferred and internal suppliers.
Event Set Up, Ticket Sales, Tracking Attendance
Many student-led events at MIT Sloan (e.g., case competitions and conferences) require ticket sales, which in turn help student groups and the Student Life Office track attendance. We encourage students to gather data on event attendees in order to better assess your event's success, and we recommend two basic options:
SloanGroups
Through SloanGroups, you can sell tickets or get RSVPs (with language about how binding the RSVP commitment is, and the potential consequences of signing up and not showing up in regard to catering, waitlist, brand management, etc.) You can also quickly check in attendees at the door using the app, either by scanning the QR code on their ticket or by looking them up in the system. This allows you, and the Student Life Office, to get data about the attendees, regardless of RSVPs. Attendance data is useful both for your planning purposes, and also for your organizing team the following year (and potentially, to attract funding in the future).
Eventbrite
Eventbrite is a platform that allows you to easily build and customize your online ticket sales pre-event and generate attendee reports post-event. The Student Life Office has a discounted rate with Eventbrite: credit card processing is 3% and additional fee per transaction is 1.5% (a 25% discount on the standard 2% fee). Please contact Student Life if you need access to Eventbrite.
Co-sponsoring Events
Host an event with other clubs! Student groups are encouraged to work together to co-sponsor events. Co-sponsorship can increase your pool of resources, both financial and human, as well as enhance the visibility of your event. When working with other groups, please make sure that you prepare a budget outlining how expenses (and revenue, if applicable) are to be divided.
How to list a co-sponsor on SloanGroups
You can list as many co-hosts or sponsors for an event in your SloanGroups event, just follow these steps:
SWAG
Giving something to your attendees or speakers to take home with them adds a nice touch to any event. You can purchase SWAG – "Stuff We All Get" – at the MIT Sloan Logo Store. Visit the store's website to scope out available inventory. You can also visit The Coop, which has both MIT and Sloan branded merchandise.
Can I purchase SWAG with my club/event logo?
Yes, the MIT Sloan Communications Office has published updated branding guidelines for MIT Sloan Clubs. Please review the latest guidelines and update your club logo as necessary. See how to order club and event SWAG here.
Preferred Vendors for MIT Merchandise
Local Accommodations
Hotels around Campus
VPF Strategic Sourcing has negotiated discount rates for MIT with a dozen Cambridge and Boston hotels, including three hotels in Kendall Square. Click here to view a complete list of hotels and rates.
Who can I share the discounts with?
Feel free to provide the MIT discount codes for these local hotels to your speakers who ask about accommodation options.
Parking & Transportation
Event attendees and speakers will typically inquire about parking and transportation options at MIT Sloan.
Things to Know if you are having an event on-campus:
Check out the MIT Facilities website for an overview of parking and transportation at MIT.
For other transportation inquiries, contact the Parking and Transportation Office.
How to request visitor parking for guests:
You may contact the Student Life Office to request visitor parking for guests with a minimum of 3 business days notice. The cost is $34 per daily parking pass. The specific parking lot where your guest may park will be determined based on availability. Include the following information in your email:
Risk Management
MIT has very clear Health and Safety Policies that must be followed at all events. The MIT EHS website lays out the policies and procedures for running a safe event.
Prohibited items
Items considered NOT safe
Items considered safe
Decorations that are "UL listed" and/or "flame retardant," such as:
In the following locations, decorations are not permitted without a Safety Program review:
*If you want to use any unusual decorations, consult with the Student Life Office.
Additionally, the Department of Facilities asks that:
Accessibility & Disability Planning
Your event should provide access and support to anyone who may have a disability or special needs.
If your space is not accessible to those with disabilities:
Helpful Links
Sustainability
MIT encourages sustainability across its entire campus. Design your event to produce less trash, use less energy, and incorporate sustainable themes.
How to Make an event sustainable
The MIT Office of Sustainability has created a Sustainable Catering Checklist to guide you through making your event as sustainable as possible. Additionally, there are now composting drop sites on the first and second floors of E62--check out the MIT Facilities site on composting for further details about this program.
Additional resources include:
If your event generates excess food, you may donate it to: