- Events – All Resources
- What is an event?
- Why run an event?
- What does it take to run a successful event?
- What kind of event should I run?
- Why do I need Licences and Permits?
- Who is going to run the event?
- Why creating a budget for your event is so important
- Post event activities
- What is the impact of weather on your event?
- Event risk minimisation strategies
- Event risk identification and management
- Maximising the fundraising opportunities at your event
- Social Media and Website
- How to spread the word about your event
- Ticketing and Participant Registrations
- Traffic and parking
- Noise Management
- Waste Management
- Drinking water
- Toilet Supply and Maintenance
- Power and lighting
- Event Logistics
- Event running sheet
- Site plan and layout
- Event Operations Manual
- How to create the best event management structure
- How can your council help you with your event?
- How to choose where to hold your event
- How to choose when to hold your event
- Should your event go ahead?
What does it take to run a successful event?
What does it take to run a successful event?
An Event Manager once said that “it may seem like you are headless chickens backstage – but as long as the audience doesn’t suspect anything is wrong – then you have done your job right!”
This is a great iceberg analogy as it demonstrates that what goes on underneath the surface is important, but people will only see the beauty of what it becomes and not the hard work before it.
Organising an event often requires a lot of planning and administrative work. And, whilst it is always anticipated that you and the event will be as organised as possible, you do need to be honest and realistic as well.
On event day, anything can happen. Often you have to think on your feet and all the organisation you have done can feel like it goes out the window, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember, you are adding variables beyond your control on the day; participants and volunteers are involved, the weather plays a part, contractors and suppliers and you may have to go into a reactive mode rather than proactive (which you have been throughout the entire planning phase).
With all this in mind, a “successful” event is generally an event that achieves your club’s goals and is well planned and executed and participants had a great experience. To run a successful event there are a number of basic things you need:
Be Organised
It is important to ensure that on the day of your event you are free to deal with anything that may come up during the event and not organising things that could have been done prior to the day.
Strong Planning
While you need to be organised you also need to ensure that your event is planned out well. For example ensuring there are no bottleneck areas where participants and attendees will have problems, that there are enough toilets and that you have all of the licences and permits required.
Support
Engage volunteers to help you to plan, prepare and run your event. Your volunteers will be your greatest support and resource. They will fill your subcommittees as well as help with running the event on the day. Don’t underestimate how much help your event will need and ensure you consider gathering support early in the planning process.
Be creative
You will find that using your creativity will help your event’s success. Whether it is coming up with a unique event idea, clever marketing or creativity in sourcing equipment, when raising money for clubs being creative is always helpful.
Check out our additional resources for Fundraising
Online training that teaches you how to raise funds
Our "Show me the money" online training course is a 5-part video series covering all aspects of fundraising from attracting sponsors to winning grants to how to run a 10k event.
Over 4 hours of tips, templates, best practices and case studies
• Take the course anytime and anywhere
• Revisit videos when you need to
• Perfect for volunteers responsible for raising funds.
Learn how to win grants for your club
Our "Creating successful grant applications" online video
There’s a lot more to being successful at winning grants than just writing an application. Learn all the secrets and give yourself a better chance at securing precious funds for your club. This course includes:
- How to choose the right grants for your club and where to find them
- How to avoid some common mistakes people make when writing a grant application
- How to create a grant application that meets selection criteria
- A helpful checklist for creating grant applications
- Case studies and examples of winning grant applications