Advice on Event Ideas

Hi B.,
Silent Auctions tend to bring people out. Also, kids love bounce houses. Food is also a big attention getter. IF you have a budget, clowns, balloon animal makers, magicians, characters, etc... are always fun.
I am just thinking of things that I think would be fun to attend as a family.

Hello B.,

My name is J., and I am a professional face painter. I have worked with Children's Medical Center, and Kia in their booths around the general Dallas and surrounding areas to attract people to come spend more time at their booth. While I paint perspective clients children, they get the chance to talk to mom and dad. There are many time when I paint the adults too. If you advertise that there will be face painting, you will get a better turn out in my experience. You can see my work at my website: PaintedStyle.com

Feel free to e-mail or contact me should you have any questions.

-J. Sewell

Hi B.!

I have a lot of marketing experience and have worked lots of events. I would love to chat with you and give you some ideas on how to market it for best attendence. Silly, but this is actually like a hobby for me because it is something I enjoy doing! lol

C.
____@____.com

It is always a fun idea to add vendor booths. This will add "shopping" to your bazaar. You can decide if it will be local business only, handmade crafts only, family products only,and so on. This is also a great way to collect income to spend on advertising! www.eventlister.com is a great place to advertise and it is free!

B., I'd be happy to talk over the phone or sit down and meet to discuss ideas (free of charge). I own my own communications business, so I know the most effective and efficient methods for promoting events. This includes targeting the press, getting your message out online and grabbing audience attention. My business is CES Communications at www.cescommunications.com. I'm listed on Mamasource. Just give me a call and let's brainstorm! - C.

Raffles are huge! If you can get a company to donate something-like a Wii or a spa massage or anything really-and sell raffle tickets very cheap like $1.00. You can set up different booths advertising the different raffles so people can form lines behind the right one. Also, silent auctions are usually a hit. Try doing "themed baskets" for the auction. This can include a "movie night" basket with dvd's, popcorn, a movie card, etc. Or other ideas can be a "High School Musical" basket with the HSM merchandise, a "Handy Man's" basket with a Home Depot gift card a tools, a BBQ gift basket with grilling tools and different BBQ sauces, a "Spring Basket" with different bulbs, apron, gloves, etc. I guarantee that you will make a lot more than what you spend. Advertising: I would suggest advertising in your local newspaper, along with sending out "Save the Date" postcards to all friends, families, and groups. You can get very cheap postcards and other stuff at Vistaprint.com. Good luck!!

Not sure what area you are targeting or what types of businesses you are promoting, but I own Monkey Business Indoor Play & Party Center in Bedford. I would love to be a sponsor for you, sell raffle tickets or help you out in any way. Let me know what you come up with.

K.
www.monkeybusinesstx.com

B., vendor booths is definitely a good money maker and an incentive for people to come and do some shopping. I myself participate at craft fairs and have made many contacts, if you charge just a small fee for a booth for vendors, and then each vendor can advertise your event to their customers and bring out a good crowd for you. Let me know if you decide to do this and I can help get you some vendors for different crafts if you are interested. THanks! J. (____@____.com)

Loved the previous suggestions. Would also consider inviting local groups of performers. Many would do it for free - They get the exposure and practice, and you get an additional draw (including the performers and their families, who tend to stick around after the perormance). Community Theatres, HS music and drama programs, dance studios, etc - depending on the age and type of visitors you're trying to attract.

Don't forget the face painting! ;)

~A. Kirsch
Snazzyfaces.info

Include a job fair!

Also, have businesses in the area who are willing to do stuff for free (bounce houses, water dunk, etc) so they can advertise their business name.

You can spin this to get almost the whole town to show up!