Implementing a Virtual Gala Why you should consider virtual - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Implementing a Virtual Gala

Why you should consider virtual • Liability! https://www.eventsafetyalliance.org/esa-reopening-guide 2

Why you should consider virtual • Not the year to NOT be fundraising • Has your need increased since March 1 st ? • Do your clients need you more now? • Do you need to raise money to survive? • If you don’t engage a donor, someone else will • Harder to re-engage next year Virtual galas are viable fundraising solutions 3

Why you should consider virtual • Virtual galas work financially • National average = 90% of in-person event • Live auction = 80% of in-person • Fund-a-need = +100% of in-person Organizations are seeing real successes, virtually 4

Why you should consider virtual • Virtual galas work financially • National average = 90% of in-person event • Live auction = 80% of in-person • Fund-a-need = 100%+ of in-person • Virtual galas engage your community • 250 households PAID for virtual tastings Virtual events engage attendees 5

Why you should consider virtual • Virtual galas work financially • National average = 90% of in-person event • Live auction = 80% of in-person • Fund-a-need = 100%+ of in-person • Virtual galas engage your community • 250 households PAID for virtual tastings • 50 households stayed for virtual after-party Virtual events engage attendees 6

What does a virtual gala consist of? • Livestream program to people’s computers or TVs • Includes live and pre-recorded elements • A fund-a-need, paddle raise, etc. • Possibly an auction • Incorporates form of online bidding ! 7

This bare-bones production raised $920,000 in an hour 8

Self-hosted galas • Pros: • Inexpensive • Offer high degree of interactivity • Don’t require online bidding software The ultimate meta-selfie, mid-gala 9

Self-hosted galas • Cons: • Limited production quality • Reliable Internet connections • Streams primarily to computer • Requires black belt in Zoom • Require additional rehearsals • Ultimately, looks like a zoom call The ultimate meta-selfie, mid-gala 10

Produced galas have more sophisticated look and feel 11

In-studio galas look the most like a broadcast show 12

Remote production galas Pros of remote production: • Higher production value • Multiple feeds, titles, graphics • Better branding opportunities • Begins to look more like a tv show • Broadcast YouTube, Facebook, or your own website Corporations receive tangible results 13

In-studio production galas Pros of in-studio production: • Have live, in-person interaction between presenters • Can begin to incorporate sets and video walls for more dynamic presentations • More secure Internet connectivity • Feels most like TV Corporations receive tangible results 14

TV studio charity gala broadcast 15

Produced galas Cons of produced galas: • Mid- to high-range budget required • Reliant on internet bandwidth for home presenters • Requires proximity to studio • And presenter proximity in-studio Corporations receive tangible results 16

Best practices • Keep your virtual event to 45 – 60 minutes • Start your fund-a-need in first 15 minutes • Do your fund-a-need before auction • Dining & entertainment packages are hot • Travel and cruises are not • Create virtual experience auction lots • Break your presentation into 6-minute segments Dining packages are the sweet spot 17

Creative sponsorship opportunities • Logo parade • Kids/students thanking sponsors • Engaging with sponsor tchotchkes • Segment sponsors Who could forget a parade of logo dogs? 18

Thank You Greg@Stellarsf.com (415) 626-6625 www.stellarsf.com