How do you plan a successful non-profit event with little-to-no budget? In this episode of The Event Connection, Geoffrey Sandler, President of the NACE Madison Chapter, shares strategies for balancing mission-driven goals with high-impact attendee engagement.

This episode is for event professionals looking for non-profit fundraising ideas, event sponsorship tips, or ways to recruit event volunteers. Geoffrey breaks down non-profit event planning challenges, best strategies, and tips for maintaining momentum once the event ends!

TIMESTAMPS

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00:00 - Introduction to Non-Profit Event Planning

00:57 - Meet Geoffrey Sandler (NACE Madison Chapter)

05:05 - The Best Parts of Planning Non-Profit Events

06:19 - Overcoming Non-profit Event Challenges

08:04 - How to Promote an Event with No Budget

10:44 - How to Find and Secure Event Sponsors

13:37 - Increasing Engagement at Event Registration

16:22 - Creative Interactive Activity Ideas for Events

19:59 - Effective Strategies for Getting Event Volunteers

21:38 - Maintaining Post-Event Momentum and Interest

24:09 - 3 Essential Elements Every Mission-Based Event Needs

26:42 - Connecting with Geoffrey Sandler & NACE

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Are you looking for fun ways to gamify networking events without the usual social burnout? In this episode of The Event Connection, we sit down with Melvin Adekanye, the Founder of JamSocial, to explore how event planners and attendees can create more interactive networking experiences.

Learn how to help introverts thrive at your events by listening in to Meaghan and Melvin explore the psychology of introvert vs. extrovert networking and why traditional "icebreakers" often fail to create lasting impressions.

TIMESTAMPS

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00:00 - Introduction

01:28 - Meet Melvin Adekanye, Founder of Jam Social

03:36 - Melvin's Passion for Introverts

06:05 - Best Parts of Networking Events

09:48 - "Hi, I'm Bill Gates!"

11:35 - Sticking Out at Networking Events

11:58 - Worst Parts of Networking Events

15:46 - Difference Between Introverts and Extroverts

20:00 - "Border Collies vs. Iguanas"

24:58 - Storytime: "Sweaty Networking"

27:13 - Learning How to Approach People

29:30 - Event Networking and Gamification Activity Ideas

34:54 - Digital Networking Activity Ideas

40:25 - Interactive Badge Activities

43:39 - How to Leave a Networking Impression

47:13 - Questions to Keep Conversations Going

47:58 - FREE: Networking Conversation Starters Cheat Sheet

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What is the future of incentive travel? In this episode, Tina Husemoller, VP of Meetings and Incentives at Fox World Travel, explains why the industry is shifting from Return on Investment (ROI) to Return on Experience (ROE)!

Whether you're a corporate planner or a business leader, learn how to design memorable programs that cater to diverse generational preferences while also prioritizing sustainability and cultural immersion.

TIMESTAMPS

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00:00 - Meet Tina from Fox World Travel! 02:58 - Top trends in incentive travel for 2026 05:50 - Selecting activities for incentive trips 08:48 - Travel preferences broken down by generation 11:14 - Trending destinations & hidden gems 14:29 - Engaging travelers before their trip 18:42 - Including culture in incentive trips 20:38 - Rapid Fire Q&A, Listener Questions! 20:43 - Incentive travel logistics & challenges 22:37 - Sustainable incentive travel 24:56 - Budget-friendly incentive trips 25:59 - Getting buy-in for incentive travel programs

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