Why an Interview,,,

Over the years we have been able to meet and talk with some very interesting people. They have shared with us their knowledge and have provided us with a great deal of insight as to how and why festivals and events work and why they are so important to our communities and to the Province of Ontario. With this in mind, we decided that we wanted you to meet and hear from some of the wonderful people who work so hard to provide us all with such wonderful Ontario Festivals and Events! We are pleased and proud to present "THE INSIDE SCOOP"!

Friday, November 18, 2022

Developing An Auction Dinner (Part Three - Continued)

 I have had the privilege of attending and working with thousands of auction dinners throughout North America for over 20 years. Some had several thousand attendees, while others only had fifty or so. The articles that follow are meant to give an overview of how successful auction dinners are conceived, planned and managed.

For anyone who wants a complete "Developing An Auction Dinner" package, complete with working manuals, workbooks, sample forms and PowerPoint presentations, visit my Festival and Event Planning website.

Event Plan Implementation 

18. Volunteer Training

In order to avoid confusion during the event, it is wise to put your volunteers through a short training session. Letting each volunteer know what his/her duties for the event are and what to expect during the event will eliminate a lot of problems and frustrations during the event. You can’t just expect that your volunteers will automatically know what is expected of them. Training is the answer

19. Welcome Gifts

If you really want to impress your attendees, present them with a little gift (especially the lades) as they enter the event. It’s a small gesture that will produce big results. Here a few ideas:

·         A flower for the ladies

·         A boutonnière for the men

·         A free draw ticket for a special raffle

·         A Canadian Flag pin

(To be continued)

Sunday, November 13, 2022

Developing An Auction Dinner (Part Three - Continued)

I have had the privilege of attending and working with thousands of auction dinners throughout North America for over 20 years. Some had several thousand attendees, while others only had fifty or so. The articles that follow are meant to give an overview of how successful auction dinners are conceived, planned and managed.

For anyone who wants a complete "Developing An Auction Dinner" package, complete with working manuals, workbooks, sample forms and PowerPoint presentations, visit my Festival and Event Planning website.

Event Plan Implementation 

16. Multi-media Presentations

There is a trend today to use multi-media presentations during live auctions. Digital photographs are taken of the auction items prior to the event. These photos are then incorporated into a Power Point presentation. Projecting this presentation onto a large screen allows everyone in the audience to see the auction items as they are presented. This type of presentation can add a new dimension to your auction. Presentations could be developed to highlight other event activities. 

17. Wine Tasting

Offering wine tasting as part of your program can add an elegant touch to the event. Many local or regional wineries are looking for ways to promote their wines. If there is interest, you should contact your choice of winery. They can help you with any legal issues that might arise. You will also have to check with your facility to what their policy is in bringing and serving wine on their premises. It’s a great addition and worth looking into.

(To be continued) 

Friday, November 4, 2022

Developing An Auction Dinner (Part Three - Continued)

 I have had the privilege of attending and working with thousands of auction dinners throughout North America for over 20 years. Some had several thousand attendees, while others only had fifty or so. The articles that follow are meant to give an overview of how successful auction dinners are conceived, planned and managed.

For anyone who wants a complete "Developing An Auction Dinner" package, complete with working manuals, workbooks, sample forms and PowerPoint presentations, visit my Festival and Event Planning website.

Event Plan Implementation 

14. Sound System

Sound systems are likely the last thing you worry about in planning an event. More events have “crashed and burned” because of poor sound quality. Listen to the existing sound system BEFORE the event. If it is not of the highest quality, rent a replacement system and test it also. The problem may be with the acoustics of the room. If that’s the case, you may have to hire a professional sound expert to help you find a solution. Don’t underestimate the need for quality sound.

15. Signage

Sometimes it’s easier to hand write a sign then to have one professionally made. This would be a big mistake. The quality of your event shows in your “little touches”. Most hand written sign are tacky and should avoided. However, with the advancement of computers and their printers, computer generated signs can be both professional and interesting as long as whoever is making them knows what they are doing!

(To be continued)