Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What can a professional reunion manager do for my committee/reunion?
Managers take the hassle out of planning a reunion, allowing the committee to take the credit and have fun. Professional reunion managers know how to find classmates, the most difficult task of reunion planning. Managers provide one place of contact for consistent and up-to-date information. Members of the National Association of Reunion Managers follow strict industry standards, adhering to a Code of Ethics. Reunion managers have strong contacts with hotels, banquet facilities, caterers, DJs, and more. Best of all, the committee still maintains the decision making power while working with a professional.

There are no upfront costs to the committee for using a reunion manager. The reunion manager incorporates a nominal fee into the overall ticket price. The services provided by professional reunion planners include: locating alumni, paying up-front costs, organizing events, preparing and mailing announcements and registrations, web sites with secured on-line registration, toll-free phone numbers, email and fax, coordinating registrations and confirmations, credit card processing, deposit, bill paying, music and photography, memory books, contacting local media, the school and alumni association, staffing events, liability insurance, and more! There are other services that each individual reunion planner provides accordingly to each individual reunion need.

Click here to learn more about planning a high school reunion using a professional reunion planner. Click here for tips on choosing a reunion planner.

Q. I'm interested in becoming a professional reunion manager, how do I become one? Do you provide training?
We currently do not provide training. We suggest that you contact a professional business manager and/or financial advisor. You should also seek assistance from an attorney. The attorney can help you set up proper contracts for your employees, committees, and vendors.

One of the best moves a new reunion manager can make is to join NARM. Joining NARM will enable you to network with over 50+ professional reunion managers. Several have been in the Reunion Industry for over 15 years and are willing to assist you in your reunion business. With your membership to NARM, you receive many great resources and tools to better your business. One of these is the invitation to attend the annual NARM conference. Here you will explore new ideas; enjoy massive networking amongst members, meet our vendors and review their products and services that are geared specifically for the reunion industry and much more. The conference is a great asset to anyone's business. To find out more information on joining NARM, please contact the NARM Administrative Assistant at 1-800-654-2776 or email to: narm@reunions.com.

Q. I've sent in my payment but haven't received a receipt.
It is common that alumni do not receive reunion tickets. Your confirmation is your cleared check or credit card transaction. You name will appear on a guest list at the registration table. If you'd feel more comfortable confirming your registration, please contact the professional reunion manager managing your class reunion. If you need assistance in locating them, please phone the NARM Administrative Assistant at 1-800-654-2776, your message will be returned promptly or via email at narm@reunions.com.

Q: What should I wear to my reunion?
The common attire for reunion wear is: comfortable clothing. Lots of time people chose to go out and buy something new the week before or day of, more than likely it'll be something that you feel makes you look good. In reality, you probably have that outfit already in your closet and have had several compliments on it already. Our advice is to come comfortable so that you can enjoy your evening and time with friends and not worry about whether or not your clothing is staying in place, your shoes are too tight or your hair is out of place. Comfort is the key to enjoying yourself and being you.

Q. Can I attend if I didn't graduate from that school but attended many years with most of the alumni?
Yes. You should contact the professional reunion manager who is assisting you with managing your class reunion. Give them your contact information and request an invitation. They will be more than happy to extend the invitation to you.

Q. Can I bring a guest?
Most reunions allow guest participation as several alumni may not feel comfortable attending without their guest. Check with the professional reunion manager to find out what the guest registration fee is.

Q. I'm a teacher, can I attend the reunion?
Teachers are never turned away. Its added excitement to the alumni when they find out that their teacher is going to attend the reunion. It is advised to make sure you announce to the committee chairperson or professional reunion manager that you would like to attend. There may possibly be a nominal dinner charge.

Q. What reunion games are normally played at reunions?
We would like to suggest that you visit one of our vendor member's websites, Reunion Magazines at www.reunionsmag.com, to find out more about Reunion Games. Most high school reunions do not participate in 'games' but Award Programs (see question below).

Q. What types of Award/Programs are presented at reunions?
Keep it simple and fun and totally volunteer based. Here are some of the more popular ideas listed below.

1. Most Popular program: Have an award program where you ask questions to get to know the alumni better (i.e. who traveled the furthest? who has the most children? etc. and give them fun awards such as who traveled the furthest ...have the local paper donate one year subscription to the person).

2. Slide Presentation: Use a slide presentation from old photographs (either from the yearbook or photos you and the committee might have between you)

3. Speech by prominent alumni: Direct the speech around a round table/round robin kind of theme with questions from your class year. (I.e. Jeopardy style questions like 'who can tell me our class song?' or 'what was our principal's name?'); give out awards that associate with the question or answer.

4. Trivia Speech: Make a speech directed around the trivia from that year (i.e. commercials, foods in style then, clothing in style then, favorite hang-outs, sports events, etc.)

5. Simple Speech: Keep it simple, welcome attendees and guests, let them know the evening agenda and invite them to participate in the next reunion committee. Nice and simple.

Q. I'm starting to plan for my college reunion, where can I find someone to help me?
Planning your high school reunion has never been easier. All it takes is a call to a NARM-member reunion manager. NARM members are located across the country and can be readily found right through reunions.com. Just click on "Find a Reunion Manager" and you're sure to find a NARM member in your area.

With a professional reunion manager's experience and contacts, planning your high school reunion will be a fun and enjoyable experience.

Q. Do you manage Family Reunions?
I would like to suggest that you contact one of our vendor member's websites, Reunions Magazine at www.reunionsmag.com. They have a wealth of information on family and military reunions and should be able to assist you in your family reunion needs. Most professional reunion managers who are a member of NARM manage high school reunions only.

Q. Do you manage Military Reunions?
Most professional reunion managers who are a member of NARM manage high school reunions only. There are a small handful of reunion managers that manage other types of reunions during the off-season. We suggest that you contact the professional reunion managers in your area first. You can locate the reunion managers in your area by going to www.reunions.com, clicking on 'find reunion manager', select the state in which your reunion will be held, then click 'find reunion manager'. Several will be listed, please contact them for further details.
If you find none are available to assist, I would then suggest that you contact one of our vendor member's websites, Reunions Magazine at www.reunionsmag.com. They have a wealth of information on family and military reunions and should be able to assist you in your family reunion needs.

Q. I've given my personal contact information to the reunion manager, what is done with it after the reunion?
The members of NARM do not sell or solicit your personal information. We have strict Industry Standards and a Code of Ethics that members abide by. Distributing this information would be a breech in those guidelines. The members of NARM keep the data for future reunions. Some reunion managers offer the found alumni list to the committee chairperson, if they request it. If you would like more details, we suggest that you ask the professional reunion manager assisting your reunion committee.

Q. Where can I find a yearbook for my class or school?
The school library. A former classmate might have one that you can photocopy. Another option is to check www.ebay.com or another auction site on which yearbooks are often sold. A new trend gaining popularity is yearbooks on CD.  You can search the web to find a company that does this.