Okay – so, we likely agree that fundraising is hard… but instead of being cynical I want to highlight an event that I believe is doing everything right. The BC Lung Association’s newest event The Rush: Race & Urban Scavenger Hunt (Vancouver, June 5, 2010) is a great example of a new, innovative, exciting fundraising event that is sure to to rally to the cause. They’ve recently launched the RUSH campaign and they’re knocking this one out of the park. So in the spirit of support I’m doing a shout out in the shape of an event review. This event deals with some of my most entrenched concerns when it comes to the strategic design of a fundraising event and I figured I’d share my take on why RUSH is being planned perfectly right out of the gate.

Event Overview: RUSH is a brand new event that’s run by the oldest charity in Canada. It’s pretty simple, teams of two scour the city on foot and by public transit to complete a required number of Checkpoint Challenges within a 6 hour time limit; the team who finishes first wins an amazing trip for two around the world! “Think of it like an intense, one day version of TV’s Amazing Race,” said Events Coordinator Marissa McFadyen. “Participants will be asked to do and try things they’ve likely never done before.”

1) The event fits with the current brand and message of the organization. The activity directly correlates with the cause. Participants will be enjoying the fresh, West Coast air while they’re running around their beautiful city, they’ll be experiencing and promoting lung health simultaneously. It is not a disconnected or disjointed event, which to many fundraising events are, and it fits with their other events: The Stairclimb for Clean Air and their Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath. What’s great about RUSH is that it’s not as athletic-oriented as some of their others and pretty much anyone can do it.

2) RUSH isn’t saturating the pre-existing donor base with yet another event (or another gala for goodness sake), it’s reaching out in an attempt to bring awareness to a younger demographic. For such a large organization I can only image how hard this would normally be. Don’t get me wrong, I’m often a proponent for bringing current donors into the mix, mostly because events need that core group to be successful, but in this case, because of the history of the BC Lung Association, reaching out to a new, younger generation is the right way to go.

3) Even though it’s a fundraising event the primary message is fun. FUN! We’re not stupid, we all get it: the event proceeds go towards lung health and air quality research, education, and lung patient support programs, but they don’t beat you over the head with it. Thank you.

4) The only element that I feel could go either way is the $200 minimum each pair has to fund raise. I’m still undecided when it comes to the long-term success of minimums; however, they’ve said that’s a team-minimum (only $100 per person) and they didn’t bury this info deep in the registration detail (upfront is good). If I have to pick a side I’d agree with the BC Lung Assoc. on their minimums because the event will have some significant costs due to all the logistics and activities and without a high level of commitment it could be to difficult to make it a success. It’s a good fit; let’s go with it.

5) Just by its nature a scavenger hunt is exciting and adventurous which means that participants will have a very unique experience. Thank goodness! There are to many same-old-same-old events out there. Creating a memory that will last a life-time is a lot harder than planners think. This highly participatory, activity oriented event will make for some great laughs and a wonderful sense of accomplishment for everyone involved. And with teams only needing two people it can be super easy to get a buddy, partner, or co-worker involved.

In the end, from the way I see it, raising money needs to take a backseat to building awareness through a connected and participatory experience and RUSH looks to do just that. The funds will come if the fundraisers have the time of their life and I’m very confident that RUSHers will love their experience and be fans and followers of the BC Lung Association for a long time to come.

For more information or to register visit www.rushvancouver.ca. Got a question? Contact Destin Haynes, Communications (haynes@bc.lung.ca) or Marissa McFadyen, Special Events (mcfadyen@bc.lung.ca).

And now for something completely different.

I’m really picky when it comes to conferences. Most conferences I find completely unnecessary but I’ll save you the rant and plug a conference I like instead. On April 7th, here in Vancouver, F5 Expo is taking place and I’m convinced they’re going to knock this one out of the park – you won’t want to miss it. It’s going to be an amazing conference for one simple reason:  they’ve got great speakers who are tackling relevant topics. They claim that: Technology is everywhere; F5 will be your filter. Your guiding light. Your inspiration. It will de-program “old, out-dated” ways of thinking and help you bring refreshing ideas for even greater success within your business. And, I think they’ll deliver on that promise. The content of this conference looks to be top-notch (yes, even spiffy and skookum) and considering Malcolm Gladwell is one of the keynotes it’s pretty much a given it will be a home run (I have all his books – Blink is my favourite).

I’m not going to re-post their website or roster here – check it out for yourself – but know this, the panels, workshops, and talks they’ve got lined-up are definitely worth the full meal deal at $260.

If you want to put your hat in the ring for a free pass to see Malcolm Gladwell make a comment on the “freebie” TechVibes post.

Posted by: Corwin Hiebert

Big news! CREATIVEMIX is coming back for another round! Thursday, November 4th. Remember that. Write that down. Tell other people.

Now, you’re probably wondering what’s happening and who’s speaking . . . well, we can’t tell you that. There’s a lot we can’t tell you right now but not because we don’t know. Well . . . maybe it’s because we don’t know, or maybe it’s because we’re busy connecting and collaborating with a lot of cool peeps right now and it wouldn’t be fair to let the cat out of the bag. There will be interesting and useful updates every couple weeks from here on out so be sure to sign-up for our e-mail newsletter (or the RSS feed); that way you don’t miss anything. We’re aiming to launch the program and open registration May 1st.

We CAN tell you that we’re adding workshops and will be hosting a contest for the exhibition. Oh, and the conference will again be at the cool-n-funky Roundhouse Community Arts Centre! Helpful eh?

Follow at Twitter.com/CREATIVEMIXca

“This was a day of mind-expanding learning experiences. I’m glad I came. Thanks!” – Mary Mahon Jones

“Working in a creative field is one thing, but learning how to connect with other creative people in other fields and getting to broaden your experiences in an overall creative community is something quite spectacular.” – Ewan Johnstone

“It is a collaboration for generating and indulging in new ideas! It is a way to connect yourself to your creative passion and with others who share it.” – Cecilia Daude

“CREATIVEMIX was an awesome mish-mash of creatives from all over Vancouver doing all sorts of things that you wouldn’t expect you could make a living doing. I got so much inspiration and I loved the approach that was taken.” – Colleen Keith

“We attended CREATIVEMIX for some “inspirational disruption” and were happy we did! It was a great reminder that as creative professionals we’re part of a vital, interesting community, and that it’s important to not only stay connected with this community, but indeed reach out to foster new relationships.” – Ryan Thompson

“Vancouver has been starved for this kind of conference that happens here and is about here. We need to stop identifying ourselves just with our amazing geography and start sharing how the creative mix of people are truly this city’s killer app.” – Darren Roberts

“The quality of speakers was impressive, the topics engaging, the organization outstanding, and registrants were taken care of at every turn. From the flowers to the fruit to the lounge, it was like you were at a friend’s house. Everything was comfortable, well thought out, and my brain is still processing the plethora of images and information. I am definitely looking forward to next year’s conference.” – Carol Fergusson

CREATIVEMIX is proudly produced and hosted by Red Wagon Management. To learn more please visit creativemix.ca.

In the pictures below: publicist Kate Colley, TV personality Fiona Forbes (Urban Rush) & news anchor Coleen Christie (CTV); co-founder Hal Gunn (InspireHealth), CEO Christine Day (lululemon athletica), restauranteer Richard Jaffray; Richard Jaffray & Iron Chef Rob Feenie (Cactus Club); and a bunch of good looking guests apply named the happy-appy crew. 

The UBC War Memorial Gym (6081 University Boulevard) will be the site of this fundraising event on Saturday, March 15, 2008, starting at 9:00am. The full day of exciting hardwood action is both recreational and competitive and teams battle on the court for top spot and bragging rights. Be a part of this great cause by attending the tournament in person or by making a donation online at www.hoop-law.com. 

The Hoop-Law Society is a non-profit organization which raises funds for local charities. Since its inception in 1995, Hoop-Law has emerged as an annual event eagerly anticipated by the Vancouver legal community. This one-day basketball tournament is organized by a dedicated group of downtown lawyers and UBC Law students and pits firm against firm, barristers versus solicitors and youth against experience. To date, the Hoop-Law Society has raised over $400,000 for local charities. If you are a member of the media and would like to interview a Hoop-Law Board Member please feel free to contact Kevin MacDonald or Shauna Towriss at info@hoop-law.com. 

About the Charities – In 2008 the following charities will benefit from the funds raised at the Hoop-Law Charity Basketball Tournament:

Kenneth Gordon School – provides a total school environment for disabled/dyslexic students with special language and academic needs. Learn more at: www.kennethgordon.bc.ca 

Camp Moomba – brings children from across Canada together every year, at no cost to the families, for an unforgettable week of summer camp. Learn more at: www.campmoomba.com 

Presenting Sponsor – The 2008 Hoop-Law Charity Basketball Tournament is proudly sponsored by ZSA Legal Recruitment. Learn more about our presenting sponsor at: www.zsa.ca 

Media Contact – Corwin Hiebert, 604-803-2019, corwin@redwagonmanagement.com