What's New this Week > Communications Tool Box > Event Communications

Event Communications

Special events and fundraisers take place in every community.  They seem to be popping up more often than ever.  There is a world of options and so much competition!  You want to make your event memorable and different from all the rest.  There are so many details to consider.  Below  you will find articles with information to assist you in all stages of planning your event. 

• Plan Your Next Community Forum
  The Content of Our Character, Project which is housed at the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke Universityis a nationwide initiative designed to facilitate substantive, public deliberation on ethics and leadership.  If your organization is planning a community forum, from the link below you will discover many of the steps to be taken along the way, from the initial planning stage, 6 weeks prior to the event, the day of the forum and 2 weeks after the forum.
  
  
• Event Marketing 
  The key to organizing a successful fundraising event is to understand your market.  A  marketing program requires patience, goals, research, strategy and tactics, that usually take years, not months to implement and see results.  In this article, you will be able to find information on the following:
  
  

  ·                     Things to consider when marketing your event
  ·                     Tips to market your event
  ·                     Define your markets
  ·                     Key marketing words and actions
  ·                     Sample marketing plan

• Event Finance and Budgeting
  When you are planning a special event, a budget is critical.  If finance and budgeting is not up your alley, you are not alone.  Many struggle with this aspect, as numbers and formulas are not their passion.  If you are prep ared, understand what is expected and know what to do it will make the process much smoother.  This guide will:
  
  
  • provide definitions to common financial terms
  • Walk you through the steps to create a budget.
  • Outline items included in revenue and expenses
  • Describe the elements of a cost sheet
  • Provide advice on how to handle bills
    
    
• Tips for an Award Winning Event
  Planning a successful event can be stressful and time consuming.  It can be easy to overlook a certain aspect.  The key to any successful event is being prepared.  Make your job easier by following this step-by-step guideline. 
  
  
• Selecting an Appropriate Event and Theme
  Special events and fundraisers take place in every community. The biggest challenge may be to select the perfect event for your organization.  There is a world of options and so much competition!  You want to make your event memorable and different from all the rest.  Not only do you want to select the appropriate event for your organization, it needs to have the right theme.  A dance is just a dance! It won’t stand out against the rest if the theme isn’t chosen carefully.
  
  
• Developing a Preparation Team
  One person should not be responsible for planning an entire event on their own.  Special events are far too much work for a single person.  Selecting an Event Committee with a variety of backgrounds, talents and experience will ensure the preparation, implementation and evaluation of your event run smoothly. 
  
  
• Why Host a Special Event?
  Have you ever thought…why am I planning an event?  What is its purpose?  What am I trying to accomplish?  Knowing why you are hosting an event is the first and foremost step in the planning stages.  Your organization needs to know why they are hosting an event before they spend considerable amounts of time and energy on an event, that may not be relevant or necessary.
  
  
• 5 Models for a Special Event
  It may seem like an intimidating task to know which type of special event best suits your organization. Did you ever realize, despite the multitude of special events to choose from they can be broken down into five categories?
  
  
• Developing a Timeline
  Planning a special event takes time.  Experts suggest starting to plan a banquet or launch event 6 months in advance and a community-wide festival approximately a year in advance.  Don’t delay! Start Planning Today! Learn how to develop your timeline for your next event.
  
  
• Pay Attention to Timing
  Every time you turn around there is another holiday or long weekend. When is the ideal time to schedule your next event so it doesn’t conflict with other major events? People are busy, calendars quickly get filled!
  
  
• Golf Tournaments
• Concerts
• Silent Auctions/Raffles
• Award/Dinner Banquets
• Walkathons
• Radiothons/Telethons