Event Services
Our team works with you to understand your event needs, offer guidance and suggestions, and help coordinate the campus services required to support your event.
We aim to make the planning process as smooth and straightforward as possible so you can focus on your guests and program.
How We Help
Coordination
We help coordinate campus services on your behalf, including:
- Space reservations
- Dining and catering arrangements
- Audio/visual support
- Facilities coordination
- Parking and housing logistics (when applicable)
Setup
Our team works behind the scenes to help ensure spaces and requested campus services are prepared prior to your event. This may include room setup coordination, signage placement, and communication with campus partners.
Support during your event
Our staff will welcome you to campus, assist with event kickoff, and help address operational questions or issues that may arise during your program.
Catering for your event
Simmons offers catering options to support meetings, conferences, and special events.
Available service styles may include:
- Buffet meals
- Boxed meals
- Receptions
- Plated dinners
- Outdoor event catering
Menus and service options can be tailored to meet the needs of your event.
All catering for on-campus events is coordinated through Simmons dining and catering services. Outside catering is not permitted.
Catering requests can be arranged directly through the Conferences & Special Events office.
Menu options and pricing are available upon request.
Dining options for your guests
Dining services are available for conferences, summer programs, and group stays.
On-campus dining
Our dining hall offers all-you-care-to-eat meal service for groups with pre-arranged dining plans.
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner service available
- Meal times are scheduled and may vary
- Dining is available only during designated service periods
Dining must be arranged in advance as part of your event or housing plan.
Group dining arrangements
Dining services are best suited for groups with planned meal schedules.
- Minimum participation may be required for dining hall service
- Alternative options (such as boxed meals or adjusted service) may be provided for smaller groups
- Final meal counts and schedules must be confirmed in advance
Dietary considerations
Dining services can accommodate a range of dietary needs.
- Allergy and dietary information should be submitted in advance
- Coordination with dining staff can be arranged as needed
Important guidelines
- Dining hall access is limited to scheduled meal times
- Outside food is not permitted in dining facilities
- Take-out options must be arranged in advance
Planning ahead
To ensure availability and proper service:
- Meal plans must be arranged in advance
- Final counts and details are required prior to arrival
- Changes may be limited closer to your event date
Our team will work with you to determine the best dining approach for your group.
Is outside catering allowed?
- No. All catering for on-campus events must be coordinated through Simmons dining and catering services.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
- Yes. A variety of dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.
- While Simmons does not operate a kosher kitchen, we work with an external kosher catering partner when needed.
Are meal plans available for overnight groups?
- Yes. Meal plans and dining options are available for overnight conference groups and summer programs.
Are alcohol service options available?
- Yes. Beer and wine service may be available for approved events in accordance with university policies and Massachusetts law.
Our spaces include built-in technology, and our team can help coordinate AV support based on your event needs—from simple presentations to more complex setups.
AV options
We offer a variety of AV solutions based on the needs of your event, including:
- Presentation support using in-room technology
- Audio support for meetings, panels, and speakers
- Microphone options (handheld and lapel)
- Hybrid and Zoom-enabled events
- Support for multiple presenters or program formats
Our team will work with you to determine the appropriate setup based on your event needs.
Support levels
AV support can be tailored depending on your event and may include:
- Pre-event setup and system checks
- Scheduled technician support at key times
- Onsite technician support for more complex events
Planning ahead
To ensure availability and proper setup, some AV elements should be arranged in advance, including:
- Microphones and audio support
- Hybrid or Zoom event setup
- Events with multiple presenters or transitions
- Custom or non-standard AV needs
Additional considerations
- Equipment and technician availability may vary
- Some services require advance coordination
- Last-minute requests may limit available options
- Additional services may involve added costs
Not sure what you need? Our team can help guide you to the right AV setup for your event.
Simmons offers convenient parking options for conference attendees and event guests. Our team will work with you to determine the best parking arrangement based on the needs of your event.
Parking options
We offer flexible parking solutions, including:
- Hosted parking, where parking charges are included on the event's final invoice
- Discounted guest parking, allowing attendees to pay a reduced daily parking rate
- A combination of hosted and guest-paid parking options to best support your event
Planning Ahead
Parking arrangements should be discussed during the planning process to help identify the best option for your event. Parking is subject to availability and will be confirmed as part of the event planning process.