It’s no secret that events are an important touchpoint for your association members and supporters, and might even be one of the first interactions they have with the organization. Making a good impression and helping your attendees feel welcome and included has always been important, but in today’s complex environment that often includes virtual and […]
What does membership support require? It could mean hanging onto virtual and hybrid events.
Think back to March 2020, when your board of directors had to cancel or postpone its annual conference. For association leaders, it was a frightening proposition. Annual conferences and other in-person events are crucial to the health and success of most associations—and […]
Regardless of whether they are virtual or in-person, planning association conferences and events is not a one-size-fits-all exercise. Meeting your attendance goals will require you to understand your members’ needs and their barriers to attending and designing events that will attract entrepreneurs and practice owners is different than designing events targeted at other types of […]
With so many options out there, choosing a platform to host your virtual event can be an overwhelming task. Where do you start? What do you look for? How do you know you’re making the right choice? The pandemic has put new pressure on associations to figure this out.
Let’s keep it simple.
Even with many events […]
SBI Director of Events Megan Miller, CMP, and Event Manager Katie Pitchford attended the Connect Marketplace 2020 event in Orlando, Florida. This in-person event hosted 800+ attendees, the first major in-person conference for the Events industry since the onset of the pandemic in the US. In this blog post, Megan shares the lessons they learned […]
You’ve done the hard work. You developed a package of sponsor benefits that provides value to both your sponsors and your organization. You successfully solicited sponsorships to help support the mission of your association. Now comes the hard part: how do you steward relationships with these sponsors so they last?
Many associations need a reliable source […]
Nothing is more frustrating and disappointing than spending countless hours and lots of money planning an event only to have a mediocre turnout. Empty chairs are the most dreaded sight for any event planner. Conference attendance is extremely pertinent to non-profits, as it is a primary way to boost funding for the organization as well […]
Event and meeting planners go to great lengths to ensure their events are not the same cookie-cutter gatherings that everyone is used to attending. Most planners want their events to stand out and be a truly enjoyable experience for all of their attendees. This is especially important for non-profit associations, which might be using the event as an opportunity to attain new members and increase revenue for the organization.
Attendees who are engaged and having fun are more likely to support your organization. One of the most important aspects of planning a successful and engaging event is selecting the right venue. Here are a few things to consider when looking for an event venue. […]
Volunteers, the unpaid workforce that helps run many organizations, are an asset deserving good stewardship. Knowing the “why” that motivates volunteers and the “what” that engages their energy and excites them is easily a full-time job, either for staff or leaders (themselves volunteers) serving on the board or chairing committees.
As Patty Anderson, a SBI Association […]
Conferences, meetings, and symposia are the hub of an organization, the value-added benefit that lures members in and keeps them coming back for more. SBI supports over 250 events a year, so we turned to some of our staff for their best advice on how to make the most of your association’s event:
Define and […]
Our team does it all, and does it well! All under one roof.
