Aspire WINTER 24 Tips & Trends: Giving Back
SERVICE IS THE SECRET INGREDIENT
Adding service opportunities is a great way to add a fresh mode of engagement to your conference. Goodera’s article, “The One Secret Ingredient In-person Conferences Need,” provides these great reasons why volunteering activities are a great idea for your events:
Puts your company’s values at centerstage - Volunteering for a social cause at your conference highlights your company’s commitment to social change.
Gives a greater purpose and meaning to your conference - In addition to highlighting company values, it also elevates the purpose and impact of your conference.
More people = Larger impact - Any impact you create by volunteering for social causes is directly proportional to the number of volunteers. A conference attendee pool is a great opportunity to use a large gathering of people to create a large impact.
Raise awareness for change - Volunteering to does not only serve the beneficiary community but also helps raise awareness for volunteers and attendees helping you create a more accessible and inclusive event.
SIMPLE STEPS TO ADDING SERVICE TO YOUR EVENT
Pick a Cause that Fits: Look into local needs and choose a project that aligns with your event’s theme or mission.
Team Up Locally: Work with a trusted nonprofit or community group to handle logistics and make a real impact.
Spread the Word: Share service options in registration, highlight them on your website, app, and in pre-event emails, and mention them during the conference.
Offer Flexible Options: Provide a mix of project types and time slots so attendees can choose what suits them best.
Keep Logistics Simple: If needed, arrange transportation, give clear instructions, and assign staff to each group.
Build Connections: Encourage group discussions, team-building moments, and share stories and photos on social media to keep the impact going!
Examples of service projects for conferences:
Environmental projects: Tree planting, park clean-up, beach clean-up
Education-focused: Reading to children at a local school, mentoring students
Food security: Food sorting at a food bank, packaging meals for homeless shelters
Community building: Building homes for low-income families, painting community centers
Healthcare support: Crafting care packages for hospital patients, volunteering at a local clinic
PARTNERS IN SERVICE
BUILDING IMPACT offers facilitated conferences, where their team leads an hour-long session that combines team building with hands-on volunteer activities, including discussions on the benefiting nonprofit and its social impact. For a quicker option, their pop-up events engage attendees in 10-minute volunteer activities during session breaks, providing a meaningful way to support community organizations while keeping attendees energized.
RIGHT HAND EVENTS makes it easy for conference planners to add meaningful volunteer activities that truly resonate with attendees. With their event-planning expertise, they design service projects that are smoothly integrated into the event, making each activity impactful and rewarding. By partnering with trusted local organizations, Right Hand Events creates hands-on opportunities for attendees to give back while connecting with each other and the community.
