events
Table of Contents
Event planning guide
Before registering for an event
- Evaluate the cost of the booth - do we need power? Do we need a big/jumbo booth?
- Do not register before knowing if we have volunteer coverage for the entire event (all timeslots, plus move-in/move-out) and that we have an assigned lead/coordinator for the event.
- Establish a budget for the event (e.g. if we're light on member-vendors and need to create stuff to sell, or if there's a cost for registration or extras)
- Establish commission or other pricing details for anyone vending at the booth
- Put a placeholder on the event calendar (?) so that we don't end up double-booking ourselves
Beforehand
- Solicit for volunteers / vendors, add them to (a spreadsheet?)
- If not at protohaven, confirm details
- Our booth location, whether we can sell stuff at the table, load in/out instructions, power & provided furnishings at the booth
- Confirm we have transportation to/from the event (may need a van)
- If held at protohaven, reserve all tools that shouldn't be operated during the event. Also consider catering
- Inventory give-aways (TODO persistent spreadsheet) and make sure we have enough for the size of the event
- Make sure our booth decorations are in order and ready to go to the event (sign, freebie spinner, etc)
- Create a Discord channel or make sure folks have a way to communicate quickly on the day.
If there is a vending opportunity that we open to members, members who intend to sell must help man the booth/table
Moving in and setting up
Checklist of things to pack/unpack - including
- square reader / tablet if selling
- collapsible chairs and hand cart
- spinning wheel and freebies (stickers, coasters, pens etc)
- a banner/sign of some sort
- Postcards (with the QR code)
- A laptop (and charger) for people to sign up for coming in for a tour
- Newsletter sign up sheet
- Business cards
- Demo projects
- Power strip / extension cords if needed
- Printouts of classes & corporate events
During event
- Take photos and video!
Afterwards
- Put away freebies/promo materials, decorations etc.
- Take inventory of freebies and update the sheet so the next event inventory is known. If anything is stocked out, mention it in Discord
- Put any photos in the Marketing assets drive folder
- Pay out to any volunteer vendors if single PoS used
- Put newsletter signups into Neon/Mailchimp?
- Debrief with the board / overall events lead on what went well, what needs to be improved, should we run this event next time etc.
- Update this wiki doc with lessons learned
Future
Create some boilerplate copy/text to send to the people running the external event to make getting information and setting things up easier.
Build a booth that attracts people! Like a laser cut silhouette of a sewing machine with a needle going up and down. A hammer that rotates and hits an anvil, or something.
Freebie ideas:
- “I'm busy” headphone stickers
- Dye sub microfiber cloth
- Little small rulers
- Gauge thickness checkers
- Measuring square with fractional→decimal table
- Slot together dinosaur or other skeleton things, metal or plastic etc.
- CNC plasma keychain - bottle openers, multi tools etc
DIY claw game to make freebies last a bit longer A more lightweight/mobile banner (large format printer + laminator), PVC pipe frame
events.txt · Last modified: 2023/12/06 00:02 by smartin015