Category: Event Planning

I'm Presenting at AFP NJ 35th Annual Conference on Philanthropy

7/15/2015

It's nice to be featured as the Conference Speaker of the Week today!
The New Jersey Chapter of the Assocication of Fundraising Professionals invites you to their 35th Annual Conference on Philanthropy, Thursday, November 12, 2015.

Register and pay by 5 pm, August 31 to get Early Bird rates!

Get more information here:
http://www.afp-nj.org/programs-events/cop/

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Keeping a post-event wrap meeting positive!

6/16/2015

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So the event or campaign is over and for most part things went well. Unfortunately, I don't think any fundraising effort is ever 100% perfect. There is usually some room for improvement.

After more than 20 years of planning fundraising efforts and events, I have been in post-event and post-project wrap meetings from a variety of perspectives. As a staff member, a volunteer, a Board member, a consultant and so on. I have been present at meetings that were just gripe sessions and ones that hashed and re-hashed all the things that went wrong; who was responsible, what was missed, etc., in such detail that it's painful.

While a recap of those things IS important, I have found that the more important thing is to focus on how to move forward. How to take the lumps from the things that didn't go so well, and then discuss what to do for next time.

Here are some suggestions:

Gather the areas for improvement via an email request or during phone conversations with key parties. This should be done internally and externally. Compile a comprehensive list. Next to the issue, begin a ways to avoid, fix and/or improve those issues.

Share these findings AND some preliminary solutions, IN ADVANCE of the wrap meeting. Now your committee, Board, volunteers, others, etc. will know that you are as concerned about these items as they are and that you have already begun thinking about how to mitigate those issues in the future. You can also asked them to make additional suggestions on the items listed.
Plan the agenda with more time on the future than the past. Share the list of issues and improvement suggestions, but don't dwell on it. Everyone should have already had an opportunity to give feedback. and you can offer an additional opportunity when you send the meeting notes.
To maximize the event or project make sure agenda includes time to discuss attendees or participants and how they can be further engaged. What are the next steps to bring them closer to your organization? This discussion will be time well-spent!

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Event Longevity: 36th year for National Jewish Health's Financial Industries Dinner

3/25/2015

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With Steve Seif of law firm Hahn & Hessen. Steve was Financial Industries Dinner Honoree in 2007.

With long-time commercial finance industry executive Cyril Prince of HVB Capital Credit

The Financial Industries Dinner that benefits National Jewish Health (NJH) - the leading respiratory medical & research center in the country - continues to draw a great crowd and raise critical funds for NJH.

The 2015 Financial Industries Dinner was once again a stellar affair. While many events struggle and even disappear this dinner marked its 36th year in 2015; had 700 in attendance and raised more than $500,000.

It was a privilege to be invited to attend this year!

What do you think is the key to longevity for annual fundraisers?

I know one organization that had been hosting a food industry golf tournament for 26 years. A few industry changes in 2013 made for a smaller tournament in 2014 and that was it! After 26 years - Poof! - It was gone!

I managed the National Jewish Health Financial Industries Dinner for five years from 2002 to 2007 then passed the baton in 2008 when I hired Mattie Shepheard. I went on to work for them for another 4 1/2 years, running the East Coast Regional office. All total I worked for them for nearly a decade.

Not only does NJH still has a special place in my heart but they imprinted me with a great event formula! One that I encourage organizations to emulate if possible.

Here are two things NJH does that keeps this dinner going - along with others dinners and events that they host across the country:

1. Strategic recruitment of the Honorees & Chairs
First they identify the REAL movers and shakers in the commercial finance industry to serve as honoree. Often the REAL influencers in an industry are not in the spotlight. Keeping in touch with the industry is important. Second the Dinner Chair is recruited with the thought that he/she will likely be an honoree two years in the future. Third Honorees are asked to become Trustees 2 years after they've been honored. Do you see the trend? It's a great pipeline, that also creates a group of industry experts that will help keep staff connected to the industry. It's BRILLIANT!!!!

2. Sticking with a tried & true annual campaign timeline and dinner format
Year after year, it's the same formula. ID the next year's honoree & the Chair at the current year's dinner. Plan the Kick-off with a fundraising goal of about 30%. Recruit the remaining committee based on their commitment level. Look to the honoree and the Chair to call on their industry colleagues. Retain previous donors and participants. (Their retention rate from year-to-year is incredible.) And the dinner format has been the same for so many years.... a long cocktail hour to maximize networking and a very short speaking program during dinner.

With so many successful years under their belt, NJH's Financial Industries Dinner is considered a "must-attend" industry event. I know most nonprofits wish they could boast about their annual gala or awards dinner that way.

What are your thoughts regarding event longevity?

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What is an event planner? Why do you need one?

2/12/2015

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People never ask why they need a plumber or a dentist, but they often ask why they need an event planner. We're just party planners after all, right??? WRONG!!

The U.S. Department of Labor classifies this occupation under the title of Meeting and Convention Planners. and introduces the nature of this work as follows:

Meeting, convention, and event planners work to ensure that this purpose is achieved efficiently and seamlessly. They coordinate every detail of events, from beginning to end. Before a meeting, for example, planners will meet with clients to estimate attendance and determine the meeting’s purpose. During the meeting, they handle meeting logistics, such as registering guests and organizing audio/visual equipment for speakers. After the meeting, they may survey attendees to find out how the event was received.

The event planner creates programs that address the purpose, message or impression that their organization or client is trying to communicate. Event planners work long and non-traditional hours to plan and execute all details related to a variety of event formats including seminars, conferences, conventions and trade shows; charity galas; luncheons and dinners; executive retreats; trips and travel; golf tournaments; walks/runs and other programs.

Successful event planners will have the following skills:
·         Verbal and written communications
·         Organization and time management
·         Project management and multitasking
·         Self-starter and team player
·         Understand Microsoft Office applications
·         Detail and deadline-oriented
·         Negotiation
·         Budget management
·         Staff management
·         Marketing and public relations
·         Interpersonal skills with all levels of management
·         Problem solving while under pressure
·         Ability to visualize attendee flow/experience and event set-up well in advance of the event.

Successful event planners will develop the following knowledge:
Venue selection; Catering; Production; Entertainment; Awards/Gifts; Transportation; Lodging;
List Management; Logistics Planning

Additionally, many Event Planners have invested in certifications. The education required to receive a certification is specifically geared toward planning events and meetings covering everything from room set-up, crowd capacity, ADA requirements and contract language. These designations can be quite costly; require an acquisition of skills that usually take several years to achieve; and take time to study for. A planner with a designation means the planner is a professional and is dedicated to their profession.

The most common certifications are:

·         CMP - Certified Meeting Planner - Issued by the Convention Industry Council
·         CMM - Certified Meeting Manager - Issued by the Meeting Professionals International
·         CSEP - Certified Special Events Professional - Issued by International Special Events Society

So the when you have a leaky pipe call a plumber, when you have a toothache see your dentist and when you have an event or meeting, hire a professional planner!

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What is an event planner? Why do you need one?

2/11/2015

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I'm Presenting at AFP NJ 35th Annual Conference on Philanthropy

Keeping a post-event wrap meeting positive!

Event Longevity: 36th year for National Jewish Health's Financial Industries Dinner

What is an event planner? Why do you need one?

What is an event planner? Why do you need one?

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