2000s throwback event hosted by KPU public relations class
PRLN 2120 is hosting “Y2K: Back to the 2000s” to give students a break during the spring semester and raise funds for the KSA Food Bank
A KPU public relations class is hosting a “Y2K: Back to the 2000s" event on March 20 at the Surrey campus. (Submitted)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University public relations students are hosting an event called “Y2K: Back to the 2000s” on March 20 at the Surrey campus Conference Centre from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The event is organized by students enrolled in the course PRLN 2120, Campaign & Event Management, and is open to the KPU community.
The purpose of the event is to give students a break through themes of childhood nostalgia by providing games and music from the early 2000s. Activities will include Dance Dance Revolution, a balloon pop, name that tune 2000s edition, as well as retro game stations.
“We decided to put on an event that would help students de-stress and we were inspired by some statistics that were pulled through an internal survey from students at KPU,” says Mariah Brusatore, PRLN 2120 student and event manager.
“We thought doing this event would be an opportunity for students to meet new people and have a good time, and then we also wanted to pair it with a good cause,” she says.
All of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Kwantlen Student Association’s Food Bank, so low-income students can benefit first-hand from the event. Their goal is to reach $1,000 in donations.
“Food scarcity does impact students’ mental health, so it is nice to not only create an event where students can have a nice afternoon, but also create this legacy to help lessen the burden of food scarcity on students within the school.”
Brusatore and her classmates chose the 2000s theme because many KPU students are part of the Gen Z generation and thought the event would provide a fun throwback to enjoy.
“Childhood memories and nostalgia [can be] comforting and it helps tie in the idea with one’s mental health. The event was totally up to us,” she says.
“We are one of the first few classes to do this, so we are working on a pretty tight deadline. We could have done something online, but we wanted to take advantage of in-person events and walking around and making those connections. It is nice to get away from your computer and be in a physical space with other people,” she says.
The class also learned how to put on a real-life event in a short time period. Unlike previous public relation event classes where students have a few months to put on an event, PRLN 2120 students were expected to have an event planned before reading break began.
“I think students should check it out because it is a great opportunity to take a break from studying and have a relaxing afternoon … and support the food bank,” Brusatore says.
