Connections2012 - connections2012

Connections 2012

Saturday, March 3
The Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier
750+ guests expected
Individual tickets: $200

Organized by a hard-working team of volunteers, the spring event brings the Lab community together to celebrate the schools and provide essential support for a selected project of lasting importance. The evening includes a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and dancing, and is attended by more than 750 Lab parents, alumni, faculty/staff, and grandparents. Historically, Connections has raised more than $400,000, a quarter of which is directed toward student financial aid. This year, as part of the Lab+ effort, proceeds from Connections 2012 Green Spaces+Places will help fund the creation of outdoor spaces at Lab that foster exploration and curiosity even as they encourage play or exercise or contemplation.

New in 2012

Pre-Event Auction Preview and LabArt Expo, Friday, January 27, and Saturday, January 28
For the past several years, Connections has included LabArt, a showcase of our students' visual arts talent, from nursery through high school. This year an expanded LabArt Expo will be displayed a month before Connections in a special exhibition in Upper Kovler Gym. The gallery-style exhibition will include  preview of Connections' auction items, demonstrations of online and automated bidding, and sales of raffle and event tickets. This two-day "Auction Preview and LabArt Expo" will immediately precede the opening of the online auction.

Early Distribution of Program Book
The program book, which features 200+ pages of corporate and community ads, will be distributed two weeks prior to the event, to the entire school. This will enable attendees to preview event-only auction items, as well as increase awareness of, and interest in, the online auction. Corporate advertisers will have exposure to 1,200+ Lab families.

Raffle
Beginning in January, students, parents, staff, and alumni will be able to purchase Connections raffle tickets for a chance to win a variety of prizes, leading up to a grand prize to be drawn at the event.

Event Highlights

•  Pre-event online auction and onsite silent auction
•  Alumni Cocktail Reception
•  Student performances, including Lab’s U-High Jazz Band
•  Dinner and a DJ for dancing 

Parents, alumni, and friends may support Lab through Connections in several ways:

• Purchasing and underwriting tickets
• Advertising in the program book
• Silent and online auctions
• Volunteering
• Connections Videos