Cities, communities, and businesses are back to doing all the in-person things and looking to make an even bigger impact!
But how can organizers make sure that their events fit seamlessly into a city’s current event calendar? Also, how can events help businesses collaborate and boost the local economy? Big questions today, but we’re on it. This is how and why to partner with the local community for your event. Spoiler: It’s easy, and a win-win!
Partnering with the local community is as easy as picking up the phone.
Ring up local officials and business owners and tell them why your event is important. Ask if they want to work together to make the event even better. It’s as simple as that.
Even if you are familiar with your event’s host city, reaching out will give you tons of on-the-ground info. This could include local health and safety guidelines, how recent events went, what businesses recommend, and probably a handful of things you might not have thought about.
Make sure to ask about their recommendations for food, lodging, entertainment, fitness classes, and nightlife opportunities. Sometimes just finding out where the best coffee and bagels are is what can make your attendee’s day. Hint: It’s not always what Yelp says!
Reaching out locally is all about making connections with people that can actually help your event, and can make attendees more comfortable, or happier, or more intrigued. This is what events are all about!
Working with local vendors creates a unique experience.
Local food, drinks, entertainment, and vendors of all kinds will set your event apart from the competition, and create a unique experience.
Attendees want to try new things when they go to events. Don’t settle for the same old food and leisure options they have at home, give people something that they can’t get anywhere else — just like you already do with every other aspect of your event!
Use your new citywide connections to partner with local breweries, distilleries, bakeries, coffee shops, or even nightclubs. Wherever there is good food and good entertainment, there is an opportunity to collaborate and build your event around the local community.
Thinking locally is good for the economy.
No matter how you organize — virtual, hybrid, or in-person — events bring together a diverse group of businesses in a way that no other industry can match.
Use this potential to partner with businesses that might still be recovering. Encourage attendees to visit the event vendors in their brick-and-mortar shops. Maybe even partner with a nightlife venue offsite for an afterparty, or a yoga studio for a morning fitness meetup.
Also, don’t forget to promote local vendors on social media. This is most likely how attendees will find them (and it’s also a great way to build your own following). It’s all about creating simple ways for attendees to support local businesses and for those local businesses to do the same for your event.
Community buy-in will boost attendance.
Having local partners means easy, organic marketing. The more your event is discussed and amplified in the community, the more people will want to attend.
There is a chance people in the area will want to attend your event even if it is for a niche industry. Chances are they feel like they might learn something interesting. Or maybe they are even thinking about expanding their own business or switching careers.
With the right local partners, your event will generate organic marketing that connects with all people on a human level. There will be a genuine interest in what you are bringing to the community. As there should be!
Partnering with the local community is always a good plan.
No matter what kind of event you are organizing, partnering with local businesses and city officials will help you make a better experience for attendees.
City leaders can help you promote your event by reaching the local community with their platforms. Throwing in some local food and dining will give attendees new things to try, and you’ll be boosting local businesses (as well as your own). It’s a win-win all around!
