***all programs subject to change***

Jumping on “Board”: Diving into Action with Nonprofit Boards
Lori Irwin, M.S., CPRP – Central Michigan University

This dynamic and interactive session will cover topics such as strategies to motivate board members, levels of commitment and buy-in, bridging new and seasoned members, and defining roles and responsibilities of both board members and staff. Lori’s insights and perspectives come from 15 years of working with nonprofits, municipalities, recreational agencies and fund development boards in a variety of rural and urban settings.

Community Success Strategies
Dave Ivan - Community & Economic Development Programs – MSU Extension

After nearly two years of research that included more than 250 site visits to best practice communities in 10 states, coupled with an analysis of more than 13,000 completed on-line surveys of college age students, the research results have been packaged into an interactive and lively presentation that promises to resonate with small community representatives. The seminar offers a series of success themes that provide actionable approaches for community attendees. Included in the findings is the important role that community culture, often celebrated through local festivals, play in contributing to community vitality.

Integrating Social Media and Other Marketing Strategies for Valuable Events
Brian Foster – NextMedia 360, VP of Interactive

Join representative from NextMedia 360 to learn how to incorporate social media with the rest of your communications strategy to increase awareness, improve attendance and enhance the value of your events.

Michigan Cultural Data Project...A Must Do When Applying for Grants
Jenny Snyder - Pew Charitable Trust
Bryan Zochar - Irving S. Gilmore Foundation
John Bracey - Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs
Additional Foundations TBA

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Michigan Cultural Data Project (Michigan CDP), the first online management tool designed to strengthen arts and cultural organizations. This unique system provides tools to analyze and benchmark financial and organizational data. The Michigan CDP will allow the arts and culture community to better articulate and provide evidence for the sector’s assets and needs, as well as its contributions to the state and the country. Organizations will have access to a variety of reports, as one part of the grant application process to participating funders and to make a case to board members, potential donors, advocates and policy makers. This training session will provide an overview of the history and goals of the Michigan CDP, as well as an introduction to the types of data collected. Learn more about the Michigan Cultural Data Project at www.miculturaldata.org.

Also included in this session, hear first hand from foundations on what they seek when awarding a grant.

Performing Arts: The Perfect Enhancement to Your Show
Terry Adams – Cherry Creek Arts Festival

There’s no better way to enhance your guest’s experience than a well-tuned performing arts program. Learn the basic steps to building a performing arts program with the limited resources of just you and your staff. From local talent to headliners, your entertainment can support your event in more ways than you know.

2:15 – 4:15 p.m.

Music Licensing and Event Contracts
Mary Moyne - Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, P.C.
TBA – Kenrick Corporation

When broadcasting music or providing a live performance, how do proprietors ensure that they are paying the right people and paying the right amount. Join Mary as she explains trademarks, copyrights, and music licensing and discuss how planning is imperative to protect your organization’s most valuable assets.

A Kenrick Corporation representative will discuss the purpose of event contracts. Contracts provide a means to assure stability and predictability in both personal and commercial relationships. They attempt to regularize the future, and in that sense, represent one of our most important intellectual powers – the ability to contemplate the future.

Community Success Strategies - repeated
Dave Ivan - Community & Economic Development Programs – MSU Extension

After nearly two years of research that included more than 250 site visits to best practice communities in 10 states, coupled with an analysis of more than 13,000 completed on-line surveys of college age students, the research results have been packaged into an interactive and lively presentation that promises to resonate with small community representatives. The seminar offers a series of success themes that provide actionable approaches for community attendees. Included in the findings is the important role that community culture, often celebrated through local festivals, play in contributing to community vitality.

Thinking the Unthinkable – Crisis Planning
Dan Spaulding – Seyferth & Associates

Anticipating a successful event in the next year?

Have you thought of the unthinkable?

Whether it’s Mother Nature, a festival volunteer or a star performer run amok, it only takes a moment for a bad incident to erase years of goodwill for your event and your community.

In these times when any negative incident can be magnified and carried instantaneously on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube, having a plan in place to anticipate and mitigate damage in such incidents is essential to protecting your organization’s good name. Take the time to learn how to write the plan and prepare to handle the unthinkable.

Jury Duty...the Visual Process and Your Event
Terry Adams – Cherry Creek Arts Festival

This interactive session will allow the attendee to experience a behind the scenes look at how a visual arts show is selected from an application pool of many. This session will take an in depth look at the many facets of the jury process and offer tips on how to maximize the process to create the highest quality visual arts show possible.

Demystifying the Grant Writing Process - Part 1
Elizabeth Ruediger – Elizabeth Ruediger

The session will consist of an overview of grant writing basics for the volunteer grant writer. During this session, you will learn how to identify prospects, develop a proposal template and budget, complete a grant application and submit the request.

An Indepth Review of an Existing Volunteer Program
Jennifer Kaulius – Muskegon Summer Celebration

Join Jennifer as she talks about the perks Muskegon Summer Celebration gives out, the types of volunteers we get, the progression of a new volunteer through the ranks, and the day in the life of a Summer Celebration volunteer. She will also highlight ideas from the Muskegon Summer Celebration volunteer handbook.

Saturday, November 6, 2010
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Using Contractors for Staff Functions
Terry Adams – Cherry Creek Arts Festival

Too much to do and too little staff? Hiring contractors brings needed expertise and manpower without increasing your payroll. Use of contractors has allowed the Cherry Creek Arts Festival to increase revenues and more effectively utilize year-round staff. This session covers the pros and cons of contractors, where to find them, what to look for and how to make sure they have your best interests at heart.

Small Town Festivals
Dave Ivan - Community & Economic Development Programs – MSU Extension
Dr. Julie Avery - MSU Museum

Residents of many Michigan communities come together through local festivals and events. This workshop explores the motivation of local events, their ties to a community’s heritage, and elements of what defines a successful event. Beyond potential financial impacts, community festivals can bring identity to place and strengthen community engagement. Through shared conversations participants and the presenters discuss how small town festivals can lead to a more meaningful and sustainable community experience.

Sponsorships: Kind or In-Kind – How to Make it Work For You
Craig Crocker, Four Flags Area Apple Festival

Join Craig from Four Flags Area Apple Festival as he discusses their tiered sponsorship program from sponsor flags to plaques to entertainment tents. He will talk about the steps to obtaining donated product and monies. He will also hold a discussion when to start working with corporate sponsors to make sure they are onboard and getting the most exposure for their contribution. You won’t want to miss this workshop…learn ideas on how to make sponsorships work for you no matter what size your event.

Multi-Media…Your Event Marketing Options
Mimi Bell – Great Lakes Bay Region Magazine
Shannon Dunlap – NextMedia 360
Jack Guza – Community Newspapers of Michigan
Dan Glisky – Digital 10 Network
Rick Kleiman – WWMT 3

A little of this, a little of that…the recipe for a truly successful event. Our panel members will share the very best ideas that will fit within your budget range! Come prepared to take notes and start laying out your marketing plan and budget for 2011.

Demystifying the Grant Writing Process - Part 2
Elizabeth Ruediger – Elizabeth Ruediger

This session will be comprised of individual consultations. You are encouraged to bring copies of your previous grant requests for review and discussion. Ms. Ruediger will provide feedback on your past applications and answer any questions that you have regarding your grant writing campaign.

9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Festival Profits - Learn the Proven Secrets to Maximize Your Sales During the Event and all Year Long
Andy LaPointe - Traverse Bay Farms

If you’re tired of not making as much money as you want at the street fairs or festivals you attend, you can’t afford to miss this one-of-a-kind session.

Learn the secrets to maximize your sales and profits at every event you attend. In addition, you’ll discover how to make money from customers and non-buyers year round. The information is this course will show you how to make money every day of the year, selling the same items you are selling now. When you really think about it, you’ll realize you need to attend this course.

10:15 – 11:45 a.m.

Creating Successful Collateral Materials
Terry Adams - Cherry Creek Arts Festival

This session will take an extensive look into the value of quality collateral materials and the marketing of a festival. Effective planning throughout the creative process of an event’s campaign can make or break the impact it has on the success of the event. Walk through the steps of an effective strategy that meets your organization’s needs. See examples of what has worked and what has not worked in the industry, i.e. festival guide, event promo poster, ad campaigns, event rack cards etc.

It's All About Your Event…Moving Into Some Measurable Ideas and Procedures
Mike Smith - Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Inc.

This in-depth discussion will put you in touch with one on one time after an opening group discussion on making your event….YOUR OWN! Beginning with an open dialog about what makes your event unique, and moving into some measurable ideas and procedures which you can take to the bank in developing your event more fully, from sponsorships to new events! This isn’t world peace, it’s about YOUR EVENT and how we can assist you with developing what you need to either improve your event or promote maybe even fund it!

Your commitment is to be ready to discuss what you need, and one on one time to explore it! Flexible schedule after the initial presentation for one on one meeting throughout the course of the Festival conference!

Optimizing Your Website
Jeffery Gulick – LocalEYESNetwork

Website Visibility: Do you have a great website but not a lot of traffic? There are many basic ways to ensure your website is easily found and most require little or no money. This session provides an overview of the tools and methods you can use today to make sure your website is highly visible. The workshop will cover Search Engine Optimization, Coordinated Social Media, and Paid Search.

Risk Management: Financial, Legal, and Ethical Safeguards
Dale Johnson - Francis L. Dean & Associates

This workshop will analyze potential threats to your events and ensure that you understand and use every possible safeguard to produce safe and successful events. You will learn how to do a risk assessment, risk analysis and how to respond, monitor and control risks.

3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Got a Question “Aling” You? Serving Tips…Making the Most $$$ of Your Servings Brought to You by Miller Brewing
Kirk Schieman – I.H.S Distributors/Miller Brewing Company

Covering all aspects of planning and organizing a successful beverage tent in your community. The panel of experts will cover all aspects of beverage tents including: How do I start, Michigan Liquor Control Commission requirements, working with law enforcement and responsible server-training for volunteers.

Outdoor Advertising 101
Wendy Hickey – Adams Outdoor Advertising

The why and how to buy outdoor advertising as well as show specific creative related to Festivals and Events and how this works.

Sounds, Lights, Staging…Making the Most of your Entertainment
Karin Elizabeth - Lorio-Ross Sterling Entertainment
Joe Periano - Lorio-Ross Sterling Entertainment

Join Karin Elizabeth and Joe Periano from Lorio-Ross Sterling Entertainment, a Motown-based entertainment agency with over 30 years' worth of experience putting on large-scale events. Karin and Joe will explain the in's and out's of working with a pro agency in order to score the best possible entertainment for your event. Joe and Karin will walk you through every step of the process, from choosing bands to dealing with contract negotiations. Want to work less and get more? Want to increase attendance? Stay within your budget? Widen your entertainment choices? Get people talking? This seminar is where you want to begin.

Relevancy of Event Planning & Working with your Community to Achieve Success
Marci Fogal – Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Marci Cisneros – Grand Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau

Marci Fogal, President of the Blue Water Area Convention and Visitors Bureau & Marci Cisneros, Executive Director of the Grand Haven Area Convention & Visitors Bureau present a session that focuses on the relevancy of event selection. They will discuss how to choose the right event that will fit the interest, culture and overall dynamics of your community and how collaborating together will ensure the event's success.

Keep on top of convention scheduling by checking back with this web site. Updates will be posted periodically

(*all programs subject to change)