3 Must-haves for a Successful Conference

Holding a conference is a great way to further your organization’s mission, especially to inform, teach and build a movement. Below are 3 essential components you should include for a successful nonprofit conference and maximum engagement.

1. Inspiration

Your conferences should inspire attendees. They should walk away feeling re-invigorated and ready to apply the principles they’ve learned to their own mission and work. You want to build a storytelling narrative within the conference itself as a reminder of why this information and teachings are important. You want them to walk away rethinking the big picture, ready with fresh ideas that move their mission forward. To inspire, think about creating aspirational videos, inviting motivational keynote speakers and including performers. The same storytelling principles and patterns apply in conferences as they do with gala events. This is still part of the movement, after all.

2. Tactical Tools

Introduce attendees to practical tools they can use and apply immediately to their own organization. Provide hands-on resources to accompany the formal teaching sessions; hold a demonstration of logistical tools that apply to the needs of your audience; and create breakout rooms where you can share tips and best practices that can be applied following the conference. Inspiration and direct application should partner so that attendees are able to apply their learnings.

3. Networking

Building and prioritizing community is a sure way to maximize engagement. You want the conference to double as a networking event where attendees can meet up, ask questions, share best practices and resources, hold important conversations and feel like they’re part of something. You want them to walk away knowing they can continue to return to this community for help and advice.

These community conversations can take on different forms, from hosting Q+A sessions with keynote speakers to using a networking and conference platform like Whova. This is a great online tool that attendees can use to start their own profile, network with one another and chat about sessions and beyond. Platforms like this ensure attendees always have a place to go back to and connect.

Use these 3 key components to bring your conference teachings to life, inspire your audience and move your mission forward.

For more resources and how-tos from our team, register to attend Elevate, our conference all about fundraising events.

Photo credit: Andie Petkus