So Much to Celebrate! Time flies by when you’re having fun! This month marks the 12th anniversary of Ann Plans celebrating and serving with the nonprofit community. We celebrate all of you who have been part of making this such an exciting and rewarding ride! We love every opportunity to help our clients celebrate, and along the way we have been…
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Year One. Create a Buzz! Something I learned from a mentor early in my events career is to not use the newness of an event as an excuse for creating a less than top-notch guest experience. One of the biggest compliments you can receive on a first-time event is, “Everything went so well. I never would have guessed this was a brand-new event.” Year…
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We Love Our Sponsors! The fall event season is in full swing, and the multitude of galas and other fundraising events taking place across the Twin Cities would not be possible without the support of event sponsors. Thank you to the corporations, local businesses, family foundations and individuals who invest in the work of nonprofits and inspire others to do…
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To Bid or Not to Bid Myth or fact? Silent auctions will soon be a thing of the past… A fact is that many clients are choosing to not include a silent auction in their event plans. This year, though, the Guthrie Theater bucked that trend by incorporating a silent auction into the Guthrie Gala for the first time in…
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The Magic Ingredient in a Fundraising Event Décor, food, entertainment, and reception activities all play a role in making an event stand out, but the stories of lives changed and made better are the most important ingredients in a successful fundraising event. Stories told from the heart by clients or participants are what inspire guests and help them connect more deeply with…
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Summer Days and Lively Auctions Last week I was vacationing in Kelowna, British Columbia which included biking through the stunning Myra Canyon, wine tastings at some of the more than 230 wineries in the area, cheering on the Kelowna Falcons minor league baseball team, and running the Kelowna Wine Country Half Marathon. This week I’m back home gearing up with…
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