Most student organizations face the stress of planning events and fundraisers, and many face the difficulties of getting in touch with the right people.

Newly formed Event Planning Organization strives to help student organizations get on track.

EPO is a new student-run organization that provides much-needed experience to public relations majors or anyone planning events.

The goal of EPO is to serve as a middleman and helping other student organizations plan events and get in touch with the right people. This includes finding DJs, caterers, or even getting discounts on certain services. EPO wants to make other organization’s events as successful as they can.

Alysondra Milano, co-founder and vice-president of EPO, said she always wanted to see an organization like this on UW-Whitewater’s campus.

“I looked on the Whitewater website, and I didn’t see any event planning curriculum,” Milano said. “Another student and I formed EPO last semester and are just now getting into the swing of things.”

EPO provides valuable experience for students involved by allowing them to talk and negotiate with multiple vendors and companies surrounding Whitewater. The group will also help to get a group’s name into the event planning job market.

Senior EPO member Britta Svoboda said the organization will help her gain experience in event planning.

“EPO is beneficial for students who want to become event planners of some sort because there is no real way to gain that experience other than getting an internship,” Svoboda said. “The outlets are limited on Whitewater’s campus, but EPO still gives great experience.”

EPO is also planning a project after spring break that would be of a comedy format.

“We’re looking at doing a ‘Last Comic Standing’ type of event to get our name out there,” Milano said. “We want to let all the other organizations know that we’re here to help them.”

Though EPO has numerous inspiring public relations students involved, the group is open to any major or student who is interested in event planning.

Despite Milano’s planned graduation this spring, she said she hopes the organization continues to grow and have success. She and other EPO members are already looking into upcoming projects for fall.

“In the long term, we’d like to see EPO have success on campus and maybe even branch out into the community,” Milano said. “It would be great to help with community events such as fundraisers for Treyton Kilar.”

EPO holds meetings at 5:15 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month in Hyland 1307. Their next meeting will be on Tuesday. To get involved, simply attend one of their meetings.