Go to the Event, Especially If You Don't Care

This past weekend, the Kids Ecology Corps. put on their annual People and Planet Day event. Held at a new location, Esplanade Park, they were privileged to be situated on one of downtown Ft. Lauderdale's prime pieces of real estate. The event accommodated a wide range of businesses, from local organic vegetables to personal health and wellness. Organizations participating covered the usual sectors: helping kids become more healthy and environmentally responsible, growing your business with the help of a "green" network group, as well as a variety of others. Food at the event was provided by a team of very passionate, talented, and entertaining organic chefs.

Needless to say, coupled with the beautiful weather typical of South Florida's spring, it was a great way to spend a Saturday.

So why weren't there tens of thousands of people passing through the event?

Because it was a "green" event. I'm not saying that as a bad thing, hey, we were there, and it's what we do 150%, so I am completely supportive of their mission, however, that actually took away from the participation.

Say there is an event for video games. Who do you think will attend? Gamers, developers, manufacturers of computers and game consoles, most likely. Those who don't play video games won't be there. Even if the topic of the event is bringing gaming to a new audience.

Same goes for a "green" or eco-friendly event. The mayor was there, a major grocer had a booth, but the vast majority of attendees were those already "in the know". So how do you overcome such a challenge?

Solve that, and you'll be the world's greatest event promoter.

One solution is to branch out from just your core audience. Include things that, going back to the gaming example, a gamer would scoff at. Similarly, appeal not to your supporters (they'll attend anyway most likely), but to the general public. Have games (yes, even outside the gaming event...people love a competition), challenges, and mainstream entertainment. The prizes don't really even matter. Just keep in mind ways to tie all that back into your primary theme. That way, attendees who may not have cared at all for the general theme can leave with some new insights, possibly even gained unconsciously.

But the most basic requirement of an event...it has to be a whole lot of fun. And this past People and Planet Day hit that mark.