Region 12

Welcome to the website for Region 12 of the Association of Collegiate Conference & Events Directors-International. Almost 11% of the Association's overall membership work for institutions within the region. Some represent conference and events offices that have existed for decades and others are just getting their operations started. Currently, Region 12 is led by Patrick Cornelissen and Andrew Vigue. Please feel free to contact the region's leadership with any questions.

Angela Lamontange Joins University of New England Events and Conference Services Team

Angela Lamontagne has joined University of New Englands department of University Events and Conference Services as our new conference coordinator. She started in January and is VERY excited to begin her involvement in ACCED-I.

Endicott College Begins Construction of Center for Life Sciences and Business and Ice Hockey Rink

Endicott College began construction of a $17 million Center for Life Sciences and Business, expected to be completed in 2013. In addition, the college will be constructing an ice-hockey rink with seating for 1,500-2,000 people within the next two years.

In addition to all of the construction taking place, Endicott College is proud to announce the third annual North Shore Concours d’Elegance will take place on July 29^th(www.endicott.edu/concours). This show is run by the Event And Conference Services department and brings thousands of spectators to the Misselwood estate.

2012 also marks the 25^th anniversary of Endicott College President Richard E. Wylie. The highlight of the celebratory year was a Black-Tie fundraiser Gala, held on May 5th at the Misselwood Estate. Over 300 guests enjoyed the spectacular ocean views during the cocktail reception and were guided throughout the evening by Master of Ceremony Dan Rea. The evening concluded with the handing over of a check for half a million dollar as the fundraiser kick-off.

On May 19th, Endicott College will hold its 72nd Commencement exercise, presenting degrees to over 750 candidates, with an expected 5,000 guests who will join the festivities. Delivering the commencement address will be Salome Thomas-EL; teacher and principal, national education expert and consultant, who has helped hundreds of high-risk students overcome the barriers posed by poverty, violence, neglect, and low self-esteem. Author of the best-selling books, “I Choose to Stay”, about his Vaux Middle School experience, and “The Immortality of Influence”, which stresses the importance of leadership, mentoring, parenting, and service to others, Salome speaks to groups across the country and has been featured on C-SPAN, CNN, NPR Radio, and The Oprah Radio Network.”

Darren Stewart joined the Endicott Event and Conference Services team in March as the new assistant operations manager, helping us to elevate the wedding and social market. Darren’s focus will be mainly on F&B, as well as running the various events at the Misselwood Estate and on the main campus.

Boston University Events & Conferences is pleased to welcome Jennifer Fleming as its newest events specialist. Jenn was most recently a catering sales manager with ARAMARK at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center. Prior to that, her collegiate event experience included a position with The Conference Center at Bentley University as the sales and marketing manager. As an events specialist, Jenn will be working on a wide assortment of events, including weddings, Commencement, summer conferences, and departmental meetings. Events & Conferences is excited to have Jenn on the team and looks forward to the many contributions she will make to events at Boston University.

On May 17, 2012, Boston University will officially break ground on New Balance Field, a $24 million project that will include a 110,000 square foot field atop a parking garage. It will double the field capacity and allow the University to bring the Women's Field Hockey team back to campus and add a Men's Varsity Lacrosse Team. The field will also provide expanded recreational and intramural sports opportunities. New Balance has pledged $3 million to the project, creating a partnership with Boston University that gives back to the local community. New Balance world headquarters is less than two miles from BU's campus.

The ground breaking ceremony will officially commence the start of construction and will include remarks from New Balance General Manager for Team Mark Cavanaugh, Boston University President Robert A. Brown, and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino followed by the ceremonial ground breaking and a reception. Invited guests include Boston University Trustees and Overseers, University leadership, Athletics department staff, New Balance leadership, donors, students, and the architects and developers involved in the project. The ground breaking ceremony is being produced by Andrew Vigue of BU Events & Conferences.

The 139th Commencement of Boston University will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2012, culminating a weekend of activities that concludes with the conferring of degrees to over 5,000 candidates before 20,000 guests. Eric E. Schmidt, executive chairman of Google, will deliver this year's Commencement address. Schmidt will receive an honorary degree along with US Navy Captain Thomas Kelly, actor and photographer Leonard Nimoy, aeronautical engineer Norman Augustine, and chief judge of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit Sandra Lynch.

The weekend of events includes convocation ceremonies for individual schools and colleges within Boston University as well as a host of social events, including the 20th Annual Comedy Night, riverboat cruises on the Charles River, the BU Beach Bash, the Celebration 2012 Dinner, and the 98th BU Night at the Pops. Boston University Commencement Weekend is produced by the entire staff of BU Events & Conferences.

University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) Athletic Business Enterprises Joins Office of Special Events

Our department, formerly Athletic Business Enterprises, grew in size with the Office of Special Events (formerly Event Services) joining us. Together we are extending our reach toward creating the best venue and event experience in “any” event. We hope to increase our staff with the addition of a director for sales and marketing and a director for external events.

The Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, recorded record attendance throughout the hockey season as the fans cheered on our Division I hockey team to a second place finish in Hockey East and an opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament for the first time in 16 years! In addition, the Tsongas held sold out concerts one after another–Chicago, Kiss 108’s Jingle Ball, Whiz Kalifa, and DropKick Murphy’s were just a few of the events that were standing room only. Also rocking the stage were country music sensation Billy Currington, rapper JCole, and heavy metal bandMegadeath. Disney Live’s Phineas and Ferb and the Picadilly Circus captured the hearts of the youngsters with two shows each.

New construction has begun on a suite style residence hall adding 472 beds and a North Campus garage adding 550 additional parking spaces, a brand new University Crossing facility located centrally to all three University campuses, and renovations are due to be complete on our Fox Hall Main Dining facility this fall, our very own hotel, UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center and the Beauregard Boathouse.

Region 12 members at ACCED-I 32nd Annual Conference in Denver, CO - March 27, 2012

Region 12 members having fun at ACCED-I 32nd Annual Conference in Denver, CO - March 27, 2012

2011 Fall Summit

Region 12 Fall Summit
November 9-10
Endicott College Beverly, MA

Click here to see more photos from the Region 12 Fall Summit

Regional News

Salve Regina University was honored to welcome His Excellency Michael B. Oren, Ambassador of Israel to the United States, to campus October 27 - 30. While visiting the University, he presented a lecture open to the University and U.S. Naval War College communities, was the guest of honor at a State Luncheon hosted by the University and held a Meet and Greet with a select number of University students.

Steven Rugens from the University of Connecticut has been elected to the Advisory Board of the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst is changing their “identity” from UMass Amherst Conference Services to UMass Hotel and Conference Center. The hotel and conference services will operate as one from now on with the goal to better serve clients. The purpose of the new “identity” is to be more universally recognizable and understandable to the people we serve. The combined website will serve both operations and is: www.umasshotel.com.

Norma J. Charette from the University of New England has been recently promoted to director of university events and conference services. She will be taking on the strategic management and oversight of select University events that are directly tied to student recruitment and retention events.

The University of Vermont is excited to announce that they have added four great staff members to the Conference and Event Services team! They are:

Ryder Owens: supervisor of the event team that provides on-site set-up and management for all campus events

Brandi Cahill: coordinating the implementation of the new campus-wide event scheduling software

Nicole Zarillo: conference coordinator responsible for managing and overseeing the logistics of events on behalf of their clients
Matt Luther: summer conference coordinator responsible for managing and overseeing the logistics of the summer overnight programs

Region 12 members who attended the ACCED-I 31st Annual Conference in Orlando, FL in March 2011

Region 12 members at ACCED-I 30th Annual Conference in Louisville, KY in 2010