Someone in the nonprofit world reminded me of something this week, this is the time of year when organizations begin planning their spring events. Galas, golf outings, donor events, fundraisers, anniversary celebrations. And it made me think about some of the events I've had the privilege of producing outside the wedding world.
Years ago, I worked with Kyle's Treehouse, an organization supporting families affected by autism. We had a treehouse consructed at the entrance to the party. But, when guests arrived inside the venue, they were transported to a 1930's Havana supper club.
I've also produced events connected with the USO. There, we did a black tie affair with a silent auction and Joe Piscepo as the celebrity auctioneer. Different organizations, different missions, different guests. But one thing hasn't changed, a nonprofit event still has to be produced. Someone has to find or manage the venue. Someone has to coordinate catering. Someone has to communicate with vendors. Someone has to think about rentals, entertainment, guest flow, schedules, setup, breakdown and the hundred logistical details that appear between “We're having a gala” and opening the doors.
Very often, the people inside the organization already have full-time jobs. The development director needs to be developing relationships. The executive director needs to be leading the organization. The fundraising team needs to be thinking about donors, sponsorships and the financial objective of the event. They shouldn't necessarily have to become event producers too. That's where an outside event professional can make sense. You don't necessarily need to add another employee to produce one major event. You can bring in experienced event support for the period when you need it.
I can work alongside the people already inside an organization and take responsibility for the production side, venue and vendor coordination, catering, rentals, entertainment, timelines, logistics, guest experience, setup and the countless details required to turn the organization's objective into an actual event.
I don't replace your development team. I allow them to do what they do while I do what I do. And after 40 years in hospitality, 23 of those years running an event planning business, there aren't many event day surprises that frighten me.
I've spent much of my career applying that experience to weddings. But weddings were never the only place those skills belonged. So if your organization is beginning to look at its Spring 2027 gala, golf outing, fundraiser or donor event, perhaps the question isn't, Who on our staff is going to find time to do all of this? Perhaps it's, Who can we bring in to create it for us? That's a conversation I'm very interested in having.
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