The venue is booked, the invitations are out, and all the detailed arrangements are made. However, you’re still worried that your fundraising event won’t be a success! Although important, there is more to planning a successful event than ensuring that everything is according to a schedule. Some big picture thinking, as well as some creative, technical and logistical strategies will help ensure you’re using your budget wisely and your objectives are being met.
Five Good Ideas
- Clearly outline the Who, the What, the Why, the When and the Where for the guests’.
- Make each step easy for the people attending.
- Be the host with the most – it may sound cliché and campy, but a happy host means a happy guest.
- The right MC is worth 1,000 words (or donations).
- Leverage your contacts.
Five plus one Good Resources
- Event Planning: The Ultimate Guide to Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Conferences, Conventions, Incentives and Other Special Events by Judy Allen, John Wiley & Sons, 2000
- Event Management Articles: Strategies, Ideas, Solutions & Tips
- Perfect Venue – The Key To A Successful Event, article by Shaun Parker
- Marketing Workbook for Nonprofit Organizations Volume II: Mobilize People for Marketing Success
- Seven Event Management Tips for Fundraisers, article by Ron Strand
- 10 Ways to Market Your Event on Facebook (Event Manager Blog)
Dorenda McNeil
President, Counsel Public Relations
Dorenda has over fifteen years experience in public relations, media relations, event management, marketing and strategic planning specializing in corporate communications. In 2005, Dorenda founded Counsel Public Relations as a joint-venture partnership with Counsel Public Affairs, and she leads the communications arm of the company. Formerly, Dorenda was a Vice-President with Advance Planning/MS&L, a global public relations firm. Dorenda has developed a reputation in the industry for effectively telling her clients’ stories, and has worked on some of the highest profile events and transactions in the country. Originally from Saskatoon, Dorenda has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Saskatchewan.
