Connecting People in Great Places

What is Dine & Design?

First of all, the program used to be called Dinner with an Architect, but we changed the name to more accurately describe the way the program has evolved. Since its inception, thousands of guests have had the opportunity to share good food with people in some of the region’s most architecturally significant places.

AFO created this program over fifteen years ago to:

• Provide opportunities for Oregonians to experience exceptional spaces
• Help connect our constituents to each other in a more personal way
• Raise money to support AFO’s programs, including Architects in Schools

How many events are there per year?

The program usually includes 5-10 events per year, ranging from casual cocktail parties to multi-course dinners, any time between May and September.

Why should I be a host?

You’ve probably been asked to host because you have a pretty awesome space and because you like to meet new and interesting people.  Perhaps you also like to talk about your space and educate others about its design. Maybe you love a good party! Either way, by hosting an event, you support AFO and our important programs.

What do I need to do?

As a host, you’ll need to think about what type of gathering you’d like to have – casual or more formal, what type of meal you’d like to serve – brunch, lunch, cocktails, dinner or something else, when you’d like to host, and the number of guests that feels right for you. You’ll be in charge of preparing your site for guests, preparing and serving the food (or having it catered), and generally just being a gracious host to your guests. (Oh, and clean-up, of course!)

What will AFO do to support me in hosting?

We will use the information about your event to create a description and feature it in our promotional materials. Then we’ll start marketing the events to the public. Guests will register on our event ticketing site and we’ll keep in touch with you about your guest list. Feel free to check in, we don’t mind! Before your event, we’ll send guests your address and any other special instructions.

What are guests’ expectations about the food?  Should I stress out about it?

Only if you enjoy that! Really, you can set the tone however you’d like. We present a whole range of events with a wide variety of food and styles. We recently surveyed guests and they primarily attend our events for the people, spaces, and to support AFO.

Do you have any caterers to recommend?

Yes, feel free to call Susan Myers for suggestions: 503-542-3824.

Is this tax-deductible?

Yes, AFO is a nonprofit organization, so the food and drink you provide is a tax-deductible contribution to AFO. Just be sure to keep track of your expenses.