Great Expectations: Building Events that Donors will Love and

Others will Envy

Lynne M. Wester

@donorguru

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.

Too Much Looks Like Everything Else

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

Donors Don’t Want

• Long Programs

• Gifts/Tchotchkes

• Unnecessary Pomp and Circumstance

• To Be Uncomfortable

Video Invitations

If You want WOW…

Drive Attendance

Kids are Expensive!

Donors Want:

• Access

• Information

• Engagement

First Impressions Count

Live Stream all of your events

Gobos and other tricks

Eliminate Print

Food

• Organic

• Local

• Healthy

• Balanced

• 3-5% Gluten free options

• 10% Vegetarian/Vegan

• Stations vs. Passed

Donors Want to Meet:

That extra something…

As they leave- DON’T Burden them

Reuse and Recycle

Do- Surprise them!

YES

Spend your money HERE

• Technology

• FOOD

• A/V

• Special Wow Moment

• Social Media

Follow Up

Follow Up: Custom Books

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

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

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!!