Maryvale neighborhood planners spend the day learning about event management

By Erin Schneiderman

While ASU was busy with commencement festivities in May, neighborhood planners from Maryvale were busy completing a certificate of their own. Through generous sponsorships from ASU’s Watts College Design Studio for Community Solutions and the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department, representatives from various neighborhood associations gathered to learn more about event management.

Neighborhood planners in Maryvale are tasked with bringing neighbors together to build community. Sample events include block parties, festivals, haunted houses and more. Some planners have been engaged with their associations for more than 30 years and some are brand new to the role. All planners appreciate the opportunity to learn more about planning events, trends and strategies to be successful.

“The Special Events Management Workshop was an important event for the Maryvale community because it provided neighborhood leaders and emerging leaders with a dedicated space to connect, collaborate, and build capacity together,” said Rosario Espinoza, City of Phoenix Neighborhood specialist. “Feedback from participants highlighted how much they valued the opportunity to talk with one another, learn from shared experiences and explore ways to support each other’s meetings, events and community initiatives. I organized this workshop after noticing that Maryvale groups were less likely to apply for grants or explore creative fundraising strategies compared to more affluent neighborhoods. My goal was to empower our local leaders by increasing their confidence and equipping them with practical tools, resources and guidance. By fostering a collaborative environment and offering targeted training, I hoped to spark more innovation, engagement and access to opportunities that can help strengthen our community’s impact and visibility citywide.”

The all-day workshop included several topics ranging from goal setting, marketing and technology to vendor relations. It also welcomed several members of the event community to share their knowledge about risk management, event resources, venue options, nonprofit management and more. Residents were also able to exchange ideas about their upcoming events, what has worked and how they could support each other.

The day concluded with all participants receiving a certificate for their hard work. They also gained a new network of planners to support their future endeavors.

“The session was incredibly informative, well-organized and truly valuable for community leaders like me who are eager to create meaningful events in our neighborhoods," said Renee Dominguez, planner for the Homedale and Kuban neighborhoods. "The hands-on guidance, expert insights and collaborative atmosphere made the experience both educational and motivating.”

The all-day workshop was facilitated by Erin Schneiderman, clinical assistant professor and director of the School of Community Resources and Development’s Special Events Management Certificate program.

"We are grateful to our partners at the Design Studio for the ability to bring this event management workshop to Maryvale residents," said Schneiderman. "It was a wonderful group of participants, and I cannot wait to see them implement their new knowledge in their communities."