Our first post in a few months comes after a very busy start to 2023! One of the areas that we discuss the most with clients is how to keep things fresh and develop new event formats to ensure that their donors and guests avoid event fatigue.

When we work with charities, we’ll often start with an event ideation session to formulate new concepts. Here are some strategies that can help you come up with fresh and creative event ideas:

Brainstorming sessions and other creative thinking techniques
Organise brainstorming sessions or use other tools (such as mind mapping, storyboarding) with staff, volunteers, and stakeholders to generate ideas for events. Create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels encouraged to share their thoughts and suggestions. Capture all ideas, even if they seem unconventional, and evaluate them later.
Needs assessment
Conduct a needs assessment within your target audience or community to identify gaps and opportunities. Survey or interview your beneficiaries, supporters, or other stakeholders to gather insights on their preferences, interests, and needs. Use this feedback to develop event ideas that address those needs.
SWOT Analysis
Conduct a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to identify your organisation's internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. Use this analysis to identify areas where events can leverage strengths and opportunities or address weaknesses and threats.
Research
Stay informed about the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in the non-profit and event industries. I’m one of the original founders of the Special Events Forum for the Charity Sector and there’s a wealth of ideas, knowledge/information sharing from within this LinkedIn group. You might want to conduct research online, attend industry conferences or workshops, and engage with other event manager peers to learn about successful event ideas and strategies that can be adapted for your organisation.
Collaborations
Collaborate with other non-profits, businesses, or community partners to generate new event ideas. Jointly plan and execute events that align with your mutual goals or interests, and leverage each other's resources, expertise, and networks to create unique and impactful events.
Feedback from past events
Evaluate feedback from previous events to gain insights and generate new ideas. Review post-event surveys, collect feedback from attendees, and analyse event data to identify areas for improvement or new event concepts based on what has resonated well with your audience in the past.
Engage with your community
Engage with your organisation’s community through social media, online forums, or focus groups to gather feedback and ideas for events. Ask for suggestions and experience from your community members, and use their input to shape your event ideas.
Inclusivity and diversity
Embrace inclusivity and diversity in your event planning process. Ensure that diverse perspectives and voices are included, and actively seek input from underrepresented groups to generate event ideas that are inclusive and relevant to a wide range of participants.

Remember that generating new event ideas is an iterative and ongoing process. Keep an open mind, be willing to take risks, and be flexible in adapting and refining your ideas based on feedback and changing circumstances.

With creativity, collaboration, and a focus on your organisation's mission and audience, you can come up with exciting and impactful event ideas to raise all-important funds and awareness for your organisation.

Good luck!
Rebecca x

Our major events calendar has largely been postponed or placed on hold until the end of 2020 and as such, we’ve been considering how we support and work with charities during the Coronavirus crisis.

Managing virtual events: We can project manage events from concept to delivery; advise on the best technologies to meet your brief; support with forecasting budget scenarios and provide case studies and connections from organisations who may be delivering similar events.
Providing free consultations - As charities look to plan ahead, we are also offering free 3-hour consultation packages to support with any of the key challenges that they are facing, including:
- Transitioning events online - It may be an easier move for conferences or smaller activity, but how do you take a gala dinner online and deliver the same experience that allows you to raise significant funds?
- Replacing lost income - With major gaps in income as events are cancelled or see ticket sales decrease, many charities are seeking to run online appeals or campaigns to fundraise for their services. We can work with you to develop these plans, introducing you to partners who can produce something compelling to bring your work to life.
- Developing new activity - As organisations anticipate that larger events may be on hold for the foreseeable and that restrictions may prevent us for hosting major activity, we’ve had lots of enquiries about developing smaller events - from more intimate leadership symposiums to high value private dinners.
Connecting clients and venues - Dates in Autumn/Winter 2020 and Spring 2021 are already in high demand as all pre-summer activity from this year shifts to later months. This is leading to challenges in finding appropriate venues and the Coveted team is working with venues to support them in offering available dates, and working with organisations to carry out thorough venue searches, at no cost, saving valuable time and resource.

If we can support with your activity during Covid-19 and beyond, please do get in touch.