Amazing webinar for events in the nonprofit and university market

1. Great Expectations: Building
Events that Donors will Love and
Others will Envy
Lynne M. Wester
@donorguru

2. Design an event that
encourages guests to feel that
they are an essential part of
the University’s grand vision,
by balancing the old with the
new, and the intimate with the
global.

3. Too Much Looks Like Everything Else

4. The Attendee Experience
• Lies at the core of what we do
• Inspire, Thrill, Move them to act
• Wow them from the first moment
• Bring them to an emotional climax
• Leave them wanting more
• Keep them engaged

5. Donors Don’t Want
• Long Programs
• Gifts/Tchotchkes
• Unnecessary Pomp and Circumstance
• To Be Uncomfortable

6. Video Invitations

7. If You want WOW…

8. Drive Attendance

9. Kids are Expensive!

10. Donors Want:
• Access
• Information
• Engagement

12. First
Impressions
Count

16. Live Stream all of your events

17. Gobos and other tricks

18. Eliminate Print

19. Food
• Organic
• Local
• Healthy
• Balanced
• 3-5% Gluten free options
• 10% Vegetarian/Vegan
• Stations vs. Passed

20. Donors Want to Meet:

21. That extra something…

23. As they leave- DON’T Burden them

24. Reuse and Recycle

25. Do- Surprise them!

26. YES

27. Spend your money HERE
• Technology
• FOOD
• A/V
• Special Wow Moment
• Social Media

28. Follow Up

29. Follow Up: Custom Books

30. Trends
• Dinners are out
• Receptions are in
• Signature Cocktails are out
• Classics are in- Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Classic
Martini, Moscow Mule
• Huge Florals are out
• centerpieces that can be recycled and repurposed are
in
• Cupcakes are out
• In place gourmet chocolate tastings and dessert wines

31. Trends Continued
• Out- photo booths
• In- social media or video booths
• Out- sterile all white environments-
• In- patterns and décor inspired by home décor
• Out- Flash mobs-
• In- storytelling through video

32. Thank You! Questions?
• Lynne@donorrelationsguru.com
• @donorguru
• www.donorrelationsguru.com
• Join the group on LinkedIn
• Connect and Inspire!
• Be on the lookout for an upcoming webinar on
social media and events- FREE!!