Conference Department Named Rookie of the Year at Annual Cvent Excellence Awards

The University of Florida Conference Department was recently recognized at Cvent CONNECT, a premier conference for the events, marketing, and hospitality industries. During the Cvent Excellence Awards ceremony, held live in San Antonio, Texas, and streamed globally, the department stood out among hundreds of nominations. The UF Conference Department was named Rookie of the Year, a recognition that celebrates the rapid adoption and impactful use of Cvent technology to quickly transform event planning processes and deliver impressive results.

This award underscores the department’s excellence and innovation in delivering exceptional event experiences. The team is deeply grateful to everyone whose support and collaboration made this achievement possible.

Conferences Assistant Director Katherine Risher shared her thoughts on the recent recognition, reflecting on the team’s accomplishments and the impact of adopting Cvent:

“We are very excited and proud to represent the Office of Professional and Workforce Development and the University of Florida with this prestigious award. The Cvent Excellence Awards recognize outstanding work among organizations who implement and utilized Cvent’s tools in spectacular ways. I am very proud of our team and the amazing work that has been accomplished over the past year, which has been enhanced by implementing Cvent as our main registration and project management system to offer an incredible event experience for many different UF departments.”

That impact has been evident throughout the past year, as the department continued to grow its reach by helping campus partners plan events that run smoothly and reflect UF’s commitment to quality. By integrating Cvent into the planning process, the team ensures seamless coordination, streamlined registration, and a polished experience for attendees. From major academic conferences to smaller campus gatherings, they bring attention to detail and a spirit of hospitality to every project.

“Utilizing Cvent has transformed our ability to support our clients in collaborative and unique ways. It’s exciting to see our efforts and dedication recognized through the Cvent Excellence Award – The Rookie. I can’t wait to see what’s next,” said Lauren Keiser, Event Manager.

This recognition goes beyond tools and technology and serves as a testament to the collaborative culture that powers each event. Behind the scenes, strong communication, creative problem-solving, and a genuine passion for service come together to create experiences that feel seamless for attendees. This award highlights the team’s consistent commitment to planning and executing complex events with focus and professionalism.

“Our customers continue to inspire us with the incredible ways they’re using Cvent to transform their event programs and group business strategies to prove clear ROI and elevate their success,” said Andreas Heckmann, Chief Customer Officer at Cvent. “This year’s winners have not only embraced innovation but also demonstrated what’s possible when technology, strategy, and creativity come together. We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and honored to be part of their journey.”

The UF Conference Department is proud to support campus partners with full-service planning powered by Cvent’s leading event technology. Whether you’re organizing a large-scale academic conference or a small, high-impact gathering, our team is here to help you create a seamless, professional, and engaging experience from start to finish. To learn more about how we can support your event, visit conferences.aa.ufl.edu or contact us at conferences@mail.ufl.edu.

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ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA CONFERENCE DEPARTMENT

The UF Conference Department provides comprehensive event management services to support university programs across a wide range of formats and scales. Staffed by certified event professionals, the team oversees all logistical aspects of event planning, allowing organizers to focus on program development and content delivery. From intimate workshops to large-scale events, the UF Conference Department ensures each event is executed with precision and professionalism. To learn more, please visit conferences.aa.ufl.edu.

ABOUT CVENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Each year, Cvent celebrates their customers through a prestigious awards program at their annual user and industry conference, Cvent CONNECT. The organizations, event planning teams, marketers, and hoteliers recognized have established themselves as thought-leaders within the meetings, events, and hospitality space. Winners are recognized in front of thousands of industry professionals each year during Cvent CONNECT, and their work is highlighted throughout the year through case studies and thought leadership content. To learn more, please visit cvent.com/excellence-awards/.

Media Contacts

Ragan Oliver, Marketing Specialist, 352-294-0844, raganoliver@ufl.edu

Erica Stoltenberg, Director of Corporate Communications, Cvent, 571-378-6240, estoltenberg@cvent.com