STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL EVENT

1. SET A GOAL FOR YOUR EVENT

• Determine the goal of the event and decide how you will measure success.

• Any event should be:

• Well attended

• Organized

• Enjoyable for attendees

• Show the value of association membership

• Measurable outcomes can include:

• Increasing membership

• Increasing engagement

• Collecting and updating contact information

• Fundraising

• Events can also be informative, celebratory, and/or can show appreciation for members, leaders, and volunteers.

2. CHOOSE AN EVENT TYPE

• It is important to choose the right type of event for your group. Not every type of event works for every group and each event is going to interest different people.

3. SET A BUDGET

• The budget affects several aspects of your event including the guest list and the venue selection.

• Determine if the purpose of your event is to raise money or just cover the event cost to break even.

• Consider whether your event will be free of charge or if a registration fee is necessary.

• Determine the registration fee (if applicable), which can include a donation to SAE.

• Determine what the association will pay for.

4. PUT TOGETHER A GUEST LIST

• Determine the number of guests based on your budget.

• Decide whom you will extend invitations to - current members, prospective members, undergraduates from nearby chapters, etc.

• Maximum number of attendees will depend on the capacity of the selected venue.

• At a minimum, the number of attendees should cover the overall cost of the event unless the association is covering the full cost.