Brittany Harlow’s Post

A Monday reminder to all the event professionals: 🤯 Tight deadlines 🤯 Running from one event to another 🤯 Managing a thousand expectations 🤯 Last-minute changes 🤯 Things going wrong left and right That’s a regular week for you all. Your attendees and sponsors might only see some of the behind-the-scenes and your hard work. Some might thank you. And some might complain about coffee not being hot enough. But I SEE YOU. You make the impossible happen every single day. And most importantly, you’re always there to support your community. Remember, you're not just event professionals; you’re pillars of society. Your presence and dedication make a real difference. Keep on rocking and eventing!

As a local DMC, I see first-hand how essential it is to have a deep understanding of the local landscape when organizing and planning an event. Local knowledge isn’t just a nice to have, it’s the key ingredient in the recipe for a successful event. By choosing local, you’re not only getting a professional who knows how to organize an event—you’re gaining a partner who understands the heartbeat of the community ❤️

Some days I tune into LinkedIn and feel like all the event advice is saying we're all doing it wrong. We're not embracing the latest trend or fad. And it can be discouraging. But then I remember the feeling of walking by a table of academics, talking about something I truly don't understand, and think "Nope. THIS is why we do events. To bring people together to talk about what matters to THEM." And it's not about how long the keynote was, or if the registration page has 2 fields or 15 to enter. It's about how we bring communities together and what is important to THEM. Events aren't meant to all be designed in the same way. When we are talking about trends in the industry we need to keep in mind that the entire event needs to be designed for that particular community. That is where the gold is found.

I’m hearing many in my network express that they want to use their skills to take part in grassroots organizing post-election. Community organizing (very simply put) is bringing groups of people together around a specific issue and strategizing toward a collective goal. And did you know that many strong grassroots organizers got their start by bringing people together -- anything from backyard discussions and town halls to marches and protests. One way to get involved is by actually BUILDING the physical and virtual spaces for those people to gather. Sample tasks for event producing a community activation include: - Securing an accessible and central venue that meets your capacity needs. It should have basic equipment you need like A/V, chairs, projector, tables - Developing a run of show or program schedule with speakers and or content - Put together a team of volunteers (and have someone manage that team) who can support in the following ways: 1) Oversee registration & check-in 2) Greet attendees when they arrive (that makes a lasting impression and creates a sense of inclusivity) 3) Assign a “stage manager” to run the show on the day - basically making sure speakers are where they need to be and that the event runs on time 4) Set up the space (chairs, tables, vibes) 5) Manages A/V 6) Puts up signage depending on the location 7) Sets up food / beverages (essential to vibes) This video says it all though if you don’t feel like reading. There’s so much more to producing spaces, but these basic tasks will get you started.

Looking for a different way to grow your audience? Go local. A few years ago, I ran a simple event series called Drink Beer Do Good. The concept? Make sandwiches for homeless shelters, drink some beer, and build community. It wasn’t complicated, but it worked because it combined things people like with a real, tangible impact. We used the event series to build awareness around our travel company, Have Fun Do Good, showing people that giving back and having a blast could go hand-in-hand. A lot of Drink Beer Do Good attendees ended up signing up for our 4-day trips. The biggest takeaway? Events don’t need to be over-the-top to succeed, but they do need to be unique to spark intrigue. People are hungry for connection, and giving them an easy way to get involved is key. Eventually, we grew this by bringing on ambassadors to run similar events in cities across the country, expanding our reach and creating localized hubs of impact. Lesson: Think outside the box, go grassroots, and tap into what truly gets people excited. Sometimes, the answer is as simple as sandwiches and a beer.

Have you read our WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER yet? Willowdalers, check your inbox or read it on our website to stay informed about community events, local projects, consultations, the latest updates from City Hall, and much more! Click here to read: https://lnkd.in/gmiSyzqt Sign up for email updates at www.lilycheng.ca #eNewsletter #Newsletter #Weekly #Updates #StayInformed #ConnectedCommunity #Willowdale #NorthYork #Toronto #CommunityFirst #LocalEvents #LocalNews #News #TorontoNews

I'm honored to have recently participated in a round table lunch with Chairman Oliver Gilbert ('cause when you got friends in places, things happen). When invited to such a table, it's crucial to make your voice heard. I took this opportunity to advocate for the event community. Too often, events are the last to receive consideration but the first to be cut. However, their impact is undeniable: -Events bring people together, fostering community bonds -They generate millions in revenue for municipalities -Events play a vital role in sustaining small businesses -Events are essential for company and brand growth, offering unique opportunities for networking, lead generation, and brand exposure -They create opportunities for underserved communities, promoting inclusion and representation -Events drive innovation and knowledge sharing across industries -They serve as powerful platforms for cultural expression and preservation Importantly, events can be transformative for underserved communities, providing opportunities for representation, economic growth, and cultural celebration that might otherwise be overlooked. Let's recognize the true value of events in our communities and economies, and ensure they reflect the diversity of the populations they serve. #EventIndustry #CommunityBuilding #EconomicImpact

So excited to announce that our new website allows YOU to add items to our calendar! That true community calendar that everyone wanted when we were asking before we started the Herald is now possible. We've tried, and without a full-time admin person helping us, we just cannot get all the events going on in Farmers Branch on our calendar. The new website will let you create an account so you can post items too. Everything will still be checked by us before it goes live. If you are looking on our main page, if you hover over the EVENTS tab, you'll see a link that says SUBMIT ONE. That's the one you want. Businesses can submit their events too! Having live music come in? It can go on the event calendar too. Businesses do need to use the tab for paid events though. This is just one of several new features that businesses in Farmers Branch will have access to. Our business directory and classified ads are coming next.

📬 Our June Newsletter is here! 🎉 Dive into the latest updates, stories, and upcoming events. This month, we highlight our recent achievements, exciting projects, and community initiatives. Don't miss out on exclusive insights and important dates! Stay connected and informed with us. Read the full newsletter now! 📖✨ #JuneNewsletter #StayInformed #CommunityUpdates

Have you read this month’s EssentialsMAG yet? Full of features, local news, community events, and more! If you haven’t picked up a copy, you can read it online too: https://lnkd.in/dXPnywJ #Wrexham #EssentialsMAG #LocalCommunity