On-campus Professional Events Network (OPEN)

About

Launched in October 2019, the On-campus Professional Events Network (OPEN) connects SFU staff, faculty and students who plan events with event planning resources and opportunities for networking and development. 

Ceremonies and Events hosts OPEN meetings regularly. Programs at these gatherings include a range of offerings from guest speakers and workshops to sharing event protocols, processes and information to support event planners on campus. We encourage OPEN members to share their ideas for future sessions.

The Ceremonies and Events Leadership Team oversees OPEN’s operations and direction.

Upcoming meetings/workshops

OPEN members will receive calendar invitations for upcoming workshops and meetings as they become available. Please accept the calendar invitation to register.

If you are not yet an OPEN member, join now!

 

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 | Event Planning 101
Presenter: Lisa Elliott, Senior Associate Director, Ceremonies and Events

Whether you're new to event planning or looking for a refresher, Event Planning 101 will introduce you to the essentials of planning successful events at SFU. Learn about key processes, timelines, campus resources and practical tips to help you navigate logistics, avoid common pitfalls and create engaging experiences for your attendees. You'll leave with a better understanding of how to bring your event from idea to reality with confidence.

See agenda for more details.

Membership and Resources

  • Join OPEN to receive workshop invitations and participate in Teams Channel discussions and resource sharing.
  • Read more about OPEN's vision and goals.
  • Contact us about OPEN or the Event Planning Toolkit.
  • See resources and recordings of our past OPEN meetings (SFU log-in required).

Virtual Event Planning Resources

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Event Planning Toolkit

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