Black Tie Optional: A Complete Special Events Resource for Nonprofit Organizations, 2nd Edition

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

Chapter 1: Choosing the Right Event.

Marketing.

Sample Events.

Thinking It Through.

Time and Date.

Chapter 2: Money Matters.

Location.

Lights and Sound.

Food and Catering.

Feeding Workers.

Entertainment.

Decorations.

Security.

Insurance.

Getting Graphic.

Publicity.

Care and Feeding of Committees.

Free Tickets.

Postage.

Specialized Costs.

Special Event Planners.

Setting Ticket Prices.

Double Checking.

Chapter 3: Who’s In Charge?

Picking an Event Coordinator/Manager.

The Event Manager’s Job.

Getting Started.

Financial Control.

Chapter 4: Committees and Commitments.

The Recruiting Process.

Motivating the Troops.

Working Committees.

Volunteer Retention.

Regal Recognition.

Chapter 5: Other People’s Money.

Media First.

Getting Maximum Support.

Other Creative Sponsorships.

Tapping into Money.

Following Up.

Conflicts of Interest.

Chapter 6: On Location.

Researching the Right Site.

Site Considerations.

Setting Sites.

Chapter 7: Food, Glorious and Otherwise.

Critical Details.

Ideas for Meals, Food, and Settings.

Caterers.

All Dressed Up.

Look to the Experts.

Going It Alone.

Time-Savers.

At the Site.

If Disaster Strikes.

Liquor and Other Beverages.

Feeding Staff and Volunteers.

Leftovers.

Tipping.

Chapter 8: Auctions and Other Profit Boosters.

Internet Auctions.

Up Close and Personal.

Advertising.

Chapter 9: Reaching for the Stars.

When Free Costs Money.

Lining Up a Celebrity.

Serious Stargazing.

Harnessing Star Power.

Royal Treatment.

Chapter 10: The Media and the Message.

Media Promotion.

Invitation Events.

Identification.

Multipart Invitations.

Advance Notice.

A Fresh Look.

Ordering Invitations.

Time Frame.

Getting Them Out.

Following Up.

Promotion.

Minding the Media.

Public Service Announcements.

Talk, Talk.

Print Media.

Making News.

Promotion Time Frame.

Other Publicity.

Chapter 11: The Final Countdown.

Checking It Twice.

Last-Minute Needs.

Registration.

Chapter 12: After Words.

Post-Event Evaluation.

Chapter 13: Tools of the Trade.

Auctions/Raffles.

Celebrity Sources.

Speakers’ Bureaus.

Charity Watchdogs/Databases.

Credit Cards.

Donor Gifts.

Fundraising Consultants/Event Management.

Fundraising/Trade Organizations.

Online Resources.

Promotional Materials.

Publications.

Software.

Travel Sources.

Web-Site Management.

Index.