Congratulations to UGA Miracle at the University of Georgia, recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Event Experience Award.

Miracle Network Dance Marathon recognized top-performing Dance Marathon programs at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Ignite: Peer-to-Peer Leadership Conference held in Kansas City, MO, from July 17-20, 2025. 

The Excellence in Event Experience Award celebrates a program that goes above and beyond in creating a meaningful experience for their campus and participants. From how they gather and incorporate feedback to how they inspire fundraising and connection, the winner of this year’s Excellence in Event Experience Award demonstrated what it means to lead with intentionality and innovation. 

UGA Miracle took a strategic approach to reimagining their Main Event, ensuring that every detail was curated to better serve their campus community and their cause. They began by establishing a Dance Marathon Planning Committee, consulting voices from across their organization and community. They gathered internal and external feedback, past fundraising data, attendance trends, and national best practices when asking “How can we make this event better?” 

The team moved to a new venue and transitioned from a traditional 24-hour Dance Marathon to a thoughtfully structured 13.1-hour event. The symbolic half-marathon length allowed for more focused programming that maximized energy, engagement, and connection to the mission. This included dynamic programming that kept participants engaged while reimagining in-event fundraising pushes to become more interactive, energizing, and effective. These changes helped lead to an impressive 41% increase in in-event fundraising. From concept to execution, UGA Miracle showed what’s possible when we take the time to listen and innovate.  

Congratulations to UGA Miracle at the University of Georgia for setting a new standard in event excellence. Your boldness, thoughtfulness, and passion made a lasting impact—and will no doubt inspire programs across the country to think differently about what Dance Marathon can be.