Insurance Club of Buffalo
I-Day
Event Type: One-Day Corporate Convention & Industry Expo
Attendance: 1,200+ | Vendors & Sponsors: 100+
Location: Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
Role: Event Manager
Executive Summary
I played a leading role in organizing I-Day, the largest single-day insurance convention in the Northeast, drawing 1,200+ industry professionals, 100+ vendors and sponsors, and dozens of regional leaders for a day of networking, education, and industry recognition. Held at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, this high-profile event serves as a keystone gathering for the insurance and financial services sector across New York State.
As the primary event lead, I managed everything from registration technology and vendor engagement to workshop programming and sponsor fulfillment—delivering a seamless, high-impact experience for attendees and stakeholders.
My Role: Logistics Strategist & Corporate Event Lead
In this fast-paced, high-volume environment, I served as the central coordinator for internal teams, vendors, and attendees. My core responsibilities included:
Vendor & Sponsor Management: Served as the main point of contact for 100+ vendors and sponsors, ensuring smooth onboarding, timely communication, and day-of support.
Convention Center Collaboration: Worked directly with venue staff to design space layout, decor strategy, and select a catered lunch menu for 1,200 guests, maintaining quality and efficiency at scale.
Registration Technology: Implemented and managed the electronic registration system, overseeing all logistics for advance sign-ups and day-of check-in.
Event Day Operations: Supervised front-line registration processes, ensuring a fast, organized entry experience for more than 1,200 attendees.
Programming & Workshops: Supported planning and execution of multiple breakout sessions and networking activities throughout the day.
Silent Auction Production: Organized and fulfilled a successful cocktail-hour auction featuring 50+ prizes, driving attendee engagement and post-convention goodwill.
Challenges Overcome
Corporate conventions of this size and complexity demand precision, coordination, and contingency planning. I navigated challenges such as:
Tight Scheduling: Managed overlapping workshops, lunch service, vendor load-ins, and networking breaks with minute-by-minute oversight.
Data Accuracy & Flow: Ensured that attendee and sponsor information flowed cleanly through registration, check-in, and post-event communication.
Venue Constraints: Adapted layout and decor plans to align with building regulations and optimize guest movement within a single-day format.
Sponsor Fulfillment at Scale: Delivered individualized support to each of 100+ partners to ensure contract fulfillment, brand exposure, and satisfaction.
Measurable Results & Impact
1,200+ Attendees from across the insurance and financial services sector
100+ Sponsors & Vendors supported with individualized attention and activation
Successful Lunch Service in a high-volume, time-limited environment
50+ Auction Prizes secured, organized, and distributed during cocktail reception
Efficient, Painless Check-In through streamlined registration platform and staff coordination
Why This Work Matters
Events like I-Day are critical for business development, professional education, and industry-wide networking. They represent a unique intersection of logistics, hospitality, and brand engagement. My work on this event demonstrates my ability to navigate the corporate events landscape with agility, precision, and a commitment to stakeholder experience.