The Ivy Plus Society, a social and professional networking organization made up of Ivy League and other select schools’ alumni, launched a Boston chapter with a cocktail party at District on Wednesday night. The guest list included 200 twenty- and thirtysomething professionals garnered from the Ivy Plus Society’s 20,000-person mailing list, targeted Facebook marketing, and regional alumni clubs.
“There’s so many smart people [in Boston] doing so many interesting things,” said society founder Jennifer Wilde Anderson of adding a Boston chapter to the organization’s markets, which already include cities such as Los Angeles and New York. “[The Ivy Plus Society] is a community of people who show values of leadership and excellence. Boston is very much at the center of all that.”
While the driving force behind the organization is to offer a social forum for alumni of highly respected universities, it is not only open to Ivy League grads. The “plus” in the Ivy Plus Society refers to non-Ivy League schools such as Georgetown, University of Virginia, and West Point, and members are welcome to bring guests, regardless of school affiliation.
“In no way do we think only going to an Ivy League school makes you fabulous or interesting, it’s just an easy shortcut," said Wilde Anderson. "If you’re really smart, you tend to still have your brain intact and are using it in the world around you after you graduate. That’s really the organizing principle.”
The Keyturn and MPire Events produced and designed the reception. Valentine’s Day-themed decor included martini glasses filled with candy hearts and bud vases bearing single roses. DJ Tanno spun 1990s music that nodded to the crowds college days, and Svedka Vodka hosted a photo-activity area in the bar’s back room. Going forward, Wilde Anderson said the society's goal is to plan monthly events at venues throughout the city.
