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Greetings!
As responses to our 2008 Run Walk Ride Survey arrive we see a mixed bag of results. Speaking with industry leaders, it's clear everyone is looking for ways to work smarter in 2009
Two strategies that can yield huge dividends are:
-- Developing and expanding corporate teams (This will be the subject of a RWR conference session on March 5 led by Amy Johnson, a master of company team building at the American Heart Association)
-- Getting more sophisticated at online and offline participant relationship management (the topic of a conference address by Vicki Gryspeerdt of HJC New Media)
Don't forget creativity as a tool for standing out in the crowded field of athletic event fundraising. Read on for some "out of the box" thinking.
David Hessekiel
President
Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council
Tel: (914) 921-3914 |
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Don't Let a Little Cold Stop You!
Most outdoor events will always be in the spring and fall, but there's money to be made with events for folks willing to face the winter chill.
Established in 1984, the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run is the grandaddy of these fundraisers. In 2007, there were 118 Jingle Bell Run/Walk locations and 85,000 participants who raised more than $4.5 million, according to its website.
More recent, smaller additions to the polar pack include:
-- Santas in Speedos attracted 500 runners clad in little more than swimsuits, sneakers and Santa Caps to trot 1.25 miles through Boston last December to raise $175K for Cradles to Crayons. There's a similar event in Albany, NY.
Stairclimbing programs are a winter alternative to running in the snow. (To learn more, check out our audioclass on this topic.)
What's your winter strategy? |
Charity UltraMarathons Hit Florida 
With marathon fundraising programs growing in popularity, will ultramarathon programs be the next big thing?
Big? Probably not since the pool of participants willing and able to run 100 miles is so limited. But inroads are being made.
Last May, the inaugural Keys 100 race attracted 141 participants and, in conjunction with a fundraising party, raised $40,000+ to benefit prostate cancer research and screening, according to organizer Bob Becker of UltraSports. The game-changing strategy in this sector may well be emphasizing relay teams to break up the killer distance.
That will be the focus of several Florida ultras Becker plans in 2009 starting with the Palm 100 in March. |
1/15 Teleclass: Effective Event PR
With so many athletic event fundraising programs to choose from, it is important to keep your run, walk or ride top of mind and relevant with consumers.
Through its strategic relationships and media relations approach, the Breast Cancer 3-Day has done just that, and the event enjoyed a record-breaking year for registrations. Learn how specific PR and media relations strategies contributed to making this a banner year for the 3-Day in spite of the turbulent economic times.
The session will be led by Barkley PR's Jennifer Cawley, a key player on the 3-Day team, on January 15 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm ET. The session is $49,95 or FREE to RWR members.
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Register by 1/30 to Save on the 
2009 Conference
March 4 & 5 in Dallas
Get all the exciting details and reserve your space at the only conference 100% focused on helping you increase your share of "thon" dollars.
We've got great speakers, new awards programs, networking opportunities and a pre-conference workshop on Local Sponsorship Sales planned for our gathering at the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Dallas.
CHECK OUT
Statistics, advice & more
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