![\"macc\"](\"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/macc.jpg\")
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The cell phone cameras were going non-stop at a pre-game event at the American Airlines Arena. People were taking photos of the Miami Heat Dancers; with Burnie, the Miami Heat mascot; and with old acquaintances and new friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople were even taking selfies in the reflection of the Heat\u2019s spectacular 2012 NBA Championship Trophy, which was on display for us,\u201d said Michael Perez (BBA \u201912), president-elect of Florida International University\u2019s (FIU) new Marketing Alumni Affinity Council (MAAC), part of the Business Alumni Chapter<\/a>, which hosted the alumni event on April 13, 2015.<\/p>\n The selfie-takers were among 140 attendees who enjoyed a unique opportunity: networking, games, and hearing a Miami Heat official share her experiences and strategies in marketing the popular team.<\/p>\n Perez and his team planned the pre-game event, held on the South Plaza of the arena, to also include fun giveaways and a random drawing for seat upgrades for the team\u2019s final game of the season. A raffle to raise funds for the group resulted in lucky attendees getting the chance to shoot hoops on the arena court after the game.<\/p>\n \u201cThis Miami Heat event, open to marketing alumni as well as other alum of FIU and friends, was a great success,\u201d Perez said. \u201cWe included fun, networking and a unique opportunity to hear from a Heat marketing professional.\u201d Lauren Cochran, director of Interactive Marketing and New Media for the Miami Heat, shared her insights into the formation and monitoring of social media.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, and yes,\u201d Perez added, \u201cthe Heat won their game that night, the closing game of the season, beating Orlando 100 to 93.\u201d<\/p>\n A great event from marketing people? Count on it.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe very first hour after marketing alums started receiving the email invitation to this event, we started receiving a great response,\u201d said Yanyn San Luis (BBA \u201910), assistant director, Alumni Relations. \u201cThis was the highest attendance for any Business Alumni Chapter event. But I\u2019m not surprised. Michael Perez and his team are marketing people so you better believe they know how to plan a fabulous event.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe asked ourselves, \u2018What kind of event would we<\/em> want to attend?\u2019\u201d Perez said. \u201cThen we just got to work.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"macc-02\"](\"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/macc-02.jpg\")
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