On June 11 and 12, Columbia Business School alumni clubs around the world hosted social gatherings and celebrations as part of the second annual synchronized worldwide alumni club event.  Approximately 1,000 participants attended over 40 events taking place in cities across the United States and around the world, including London; Vienna; San Salvador; Milan; Istanbul; Moscow; Mumbai and Shanghai. Organized through the Office of External Relations and Development, this annual initiative began in June 2007 as a way to showcase the alumni clubs, highlight CBS’s extensive network and establish a unified opportunity for alumni, current students and recent admits to come together. The events ranged from broad-scale to intimate, consisting of happy hours, formal dinners, guest speakers and city walking tours, with some chapters hosting dinners at alumni homes. Before last year’s inauguration of the synchronized event, “there was never a unified day, and there was never one specific event to showcase the alumni clubs,” said Kara McGillicuddy, assistant director of external relations and development, who organized the events. “We have a very powerful network, but a lot of people don’t realize that it’s out there for them to take advantage of – or how extensive it really is,” she said. This year’s events were highlighted by a photography competition recognizing the best photo displaying the School logo and the best photo displaying a city landmark. The winner will have their photo featured in an alumni publication and will receive financial support from the School for an alumni club event next year.