Transformation to Scale: Learning Design in Events with 1,000+
Consider this: Learning Design = Event Design
When people talk about learning design, they often imagine online modules, slide decks, or academic syllabi. But for me, learning design doesn’t stop at the screen—it thrives in the spaces where people gather, the stories we share, and the moments that shape us. Learning design in events elevates and transforms a gathering through strategy and intentionality.
Over the last decade, I’ve used instructional design principles to plan, direct, and emcee large-scale live events with 1,000 to 2,000 guests, ranging from ceremonies and gallery-style celebrations to multi-campus academic events and educational showcases. These aren’t just events—they’re orchestrated learning experiences, designed to guide, connect, and inspire.
From Concept to Curtain Call: Events I’ve Led
I’ve served as project manager, curriculum strategist, scriptwriter, speaker coach, visual designer, tech support and stagehand, often all at once. Here are some of the large-scale learning design events I’ve stewarded from start to finish:
New Student Convocation | August 2022 & August 2023
Attendees: ~1,800 students, families, and faculty (each year)
Budget: ~$25,000 per event
My Role: Sole designer and project manager of a welcoming ceremony held in a university coliseum. I led the scripting for the event, designed marketing campaign, trained the keynote speakers, coordinated AV tech and space needs, managed timing, and also managed backstage catering and set-up both years.
Notable Elements:
- Designed a high-impact student storytelling segment
- Orchestrated start to finish welcome narrative for attendees
- Scripted mascot on-stage performance
Chancellor’s List Ceremonies | Fall 2022 – Spring 2024
Attendees: 300–600 per event; six ceremonies total over three academic years
Audience: Students with a 3.75+ GPA, their guests, and campus leaders
Budgets: $3,500–$7,000 per event
My Role: I planned and executed each event across multiple semesters. This included managing all RSVP’s, scripting, keynote speaker training, stage design, digital signage, marketing, catering and event flow direction.
Notable Elements:
- Customized each event to reflect campus culture while preserving brand consistency
- Orchestrated a new photo-op for students with the mascot as part of their celebratory experience
- Designed and customized all marketing and program materials
- Directed live stage flow and supported AV technical and logistics both backstage and in the lobby
What Sets Me Apart as a Learning Designer
Most learning designers focus on slides, modules, or assessment tools. I go further. I bring the same strategic, intentional design to live gatherings, making sure every moment feels curated and connected, no matter how big or small the audience.
What I uniquely offer:
- Narrative Flow Design: I believe that events are more than logistics. I believe they’re stories. I sequence speakers, media, and experiences to build emotional arcs and energizing takeaways.
- Multi-Role Agility: I can do the research, coach the speakers, write the script, build the visuals, manage the production, and host the event, all without losing cohesion.
- Scalable Strategy: I work just as effectively on low-budget, high-impact community gatherings as I do with university-wide ceremonies.
- Audience Empathy: I consider every stakeholder involved, from the nervous presenter to the last guest in the last row. This way every element serves the whole experience.
Who I Work With (Spoiler: It Could Be You)
While I’ve led large-scale academic and institutional events, I’m just as passionate about partnering with small businesses, retreat hosts, creative entrepreneurs, and nontraditional educators who want to offer meaningful gatherings or immersive storytelling experiences.
The below are some examples of what we could launch together:
- A gallery showcase reimagined as a start to finish interactive narrative
- A multi-day spiritual retreat offering community, connection, and give each attendee their moment in the spotlight
- A rebranding celebration where customers feel they personally contribute and are interconnected
- A conference designed to guide attendees through a transformative journey
If you’re a visionary building something with heart,who wants your audience to feel its pulse, I’d love to partner with you.
Ready to Elevate Your Next Event?
Whether you’re designing a milestone celebration, a community gallery, a donor event, or an intimate teaching retreat, I can help you design and execute something that lives in people’s memory.
Because when learning meets experience, transformation happens.
I can’t wait to work alonside you!
Let’s Connect!
If you are as excited as I am to apply learning design principles to your next event, check out my Work with Me page!
Also, you can book a FREE 30-minute ReSPARK session to explore how I connect learning design and learning experience design with both small-scale and large-scale gatherings.
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Until next time – keep shining for those who would otherwise remain in the dark. Be the light!
