As I walk into the club tonight, I see the same setup...the auction check-in tables are set up, the props are deployed, and another whirlwind of parking nightmares for latecomers to the restaurant cap a Saturday filled with activities. Reflecting on my early twenties, going to charitable events was an intoxicating experience. I loved them.
Fast-forward to present. I've been to hundreds of these luncheons which are free but where you're expected to write a check . . . no matter how heart-wrenching the speakers plea - each only gets a modest $50 check to cover costs and a donation. The evening benefit events are more taxing. Will they have 20 live auction items, or a suitable ten? Will it have the same trip to Italy as the last 10 events, or something inventive?
Back in those old days I confided my love for these events in a friend twice my age. His prediction for the future was correct - I would come to frown on having to don a tux or suit to attend the same old thing each year. To get perfection, one must remain in New York, D.C., or L.A. in terms of creativity. I imagine the queen feels the same way but has trained herself to accept it...Christmas at Sandringham, Order of the Garter. Tradition is lovely, but change in the event world is imperative to retain audience share.
We have a theory about charitable events. Each is allowed three years in the limelight and then becomes an also-ran. I've seen it dozens of times. Organizations must continually reinvent their events to remain fresh and inviting...that is the secret to audience share. In addition, finding some banner members of an honorary event committee early on will help with procuring the right sponsorships and the creativity to access original and interesting auction items.
In Portland, the Children's Charity Ball fixed the age old problem of having to worry about auction items...it just charged $1000 per couple and raised a ton of money. But, then it expanded to the convention center and the aura changed forever - causing the event to fold.
So many things that contribute to success or failure - and keeping us interested in going. Development directors and event managers take heed!
No comments:
Post a Comment