7th Global Event Awards: Best Fundraising Event Finalists

Over the next couple of weeks, we will introduce you to the Eventex finalists - those extraordinary eventprofs who are competing for a Global Event Award. You will meet them in person come January 24, at the special gala ceremony at Croke park, but first, we would like to offer you a brief preview of their projects and products that transform events into cutting-edge experiences.

Best Fundraising Event Finalists

Ecadem - One smile is enough to change our world by Casta Diva Group

3 to 22 October, 2015 | Istanbul, Turkey

Ecadem, an NGO support centre for disabled children and their families, organized this event in a public park, for the purpose of making a short film. The cause was to light a spark and change the way society sees and behaves towards children with learning difficulties.The park provided the perfect environment for the film. Any equipment or instruments were kept away to avoid the feeling of a staged event, even the cameras were hidden. The film shows handicapped fourteen-year-old Tufan, accompanied to the park playground by his mother, to join his Down friends. She and rest of the parents of these kids have written letters, which are handed out to bystanders and people walking by. In short, the letters were asking people not look at the disabled children and young adults with sadness in their hearts, but to smile at them.The response was tremendous. People did smile. Upon reading these letters everyone became an important part of the event and they did it empathically. Thanks to the enormous dedication and effort of the entire crew, all of them volunteers, a powerfully emotional film was produced. It aired on Facebook, on 3rd December 2015, the international day for people with disabilities. The film made the news in national newspapers Sozcu and Star, and on Al Jazeera. On the web, it was shared on more than 20 blogs and regional news pages.The target was to reach at least one million views, in the end the film had reached 31.8 million people on Facebook, 1.2 million shares, and 99.7% of the feedback was positive. The number of Ecadem volunteers rose 400% and the organization’s web traffic rose 2400%.Read full entry

Home in Ohio by IM Creative

7 October, 2016 | Columbus, OH, USA

Watch videoOhioHealth, a U.S. regional healthcare and hospital system, held the Home In Ohio event to raise funds in support of their mission to improve the health & wellness of the region. The event raised over $1 million for communities throughout Ohio.The objective was to underline OhioHealth’s commitment to exceptional patient care by showcasing their history through a custom wall, that featured hallmark contributions and achievements. Numerous guest engagement opportunities were also created, to highlight the organization’s initiatives in the field.Each detail at the event was curated to illustrate the message of Wellness. From F+B to the decor and entertainment, every element was handpicked to remind guests why they were there: to improve the wellness of their community. The theme was Home in Ohio, and represented OhioHealth as the home where everyone is welcome and comfortable. A sterile, empty airplane hangar was transformed into a warm, rustic, comforting home that fused the company’s brand with the welcoming vibe of the evening. Instead of a basic photo booth, a beautiful floral frame art installation was created for the purpose. An interactive and beautiful Caring Tree installation was also designed. Guests were asked to share their personal OhioHealth stories on ribbons and hang them on the tree. By the end of the evening, the tree was filled with these stories, which was then planted on an OhioHealth campus as a living symbol of the company’s roots, growth, and wellness.Home in Ohio was a raving success and raised more than $1 million for the cause. Ultimately, guests were thrilled with the fresh, one-of-a-kind OhioHealth experience. The crescendo of the evening included a performance by legendary band Chicago. This experience solidified that a collective fundraising event focused on Wellness was more impactful than separate small events. Due to the success of Home in Ohio, а similar event will take place in 2018.Read full entry

LE RALLYE DE MONTE CARLO in aid of Chana by JAM Events (UK) Limited

15 - 17 May, 2016 | Monte Carlo, Monaco

Watch videoLE RALLYE DE MONTE CARLO was a fundraiser in aid of Chana, an organization giving emotional and practical support to Jewish couples experiencing primary or secondary infertility. The rally aimed to create the most original fundraiser, treat all participants like royalty from the first step to the last, and last but not least raise maximum funds.For 2 days in Monte Carlo, 90 people were treated like royalty - a super cars rally, gala dinner at an exclusive private venue, around a pool, and hosted by Eddie Jordan, an Irish former motorsport team boss, businessman, musician and television personality.The fundraiser started with a welcome dinner where all guests got to introduce themselves. The host assisted with those who were a little shy. The evening also included wine tasting and cigars, while each participant’s experience was customized by seeing to their every request (including all special requirements). Months prior to the event, meetings with other participants had been arranged, to make sure they’d have nothing to worry about and engage in the fundraiser comfortably instead.The event stands out with its 2 day model. That way the organisation had more time to raise funds, while the guests were treated to an amazing experience. More than £500K funds were raised and the charity acquired over 80 new ambassadors.Read full entry

Novak Djokovic Foundation Charity Dinner by SAY WHAT?

20 September, 2016 | Milan, Italy

Watch videoMilan, the Italian capital of glamour, hosted this Charity Dinner, whose main goal was raising funds for the Novak Djokovic Foundation, an organization that focuses on children education and development. The fundraiser took place in the exclusive venue of the Castello Sforzesco.The event was included in the exclusive context of Milan Fashion Week, during the first day of the kermesse. This generated extra public interest and added emphasis to the glamourous soul of the charity dinner, and helped get more media coverage. The exclusive dinner was prepared by Andrea Berton, one of Milan’s most decorated chefs, with several awards such as the two Michelin stars in 2009, the three forks from Gambero Rosso in 2010 and the three hats of L'Espresso guide during 2011. An auction was also organised, with items, memorabilia and experiences donated by Novak Djokovic, Giorgio Armani, important Italian artists, Boris Becker, Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal. A silent auction had started a week before the dinner on the website of Charity stars and continued during the dinner, through the tablets made available to the guests. During the dinner, the exhibition of the Italian trio IL VOLO, provided additional entertainment.400 guests from all over the world attended The Novak Djokovic Foundation Charity Dinner. Among them, international celebrities from the sporting, fashion and entertainment world. The presence of world-caliber names created wide media coverage in lifestyle, fashion, mainstream and sport publications, printed or online, all over the world - for a total of over 500 articles. The event also had a viral impact worldwide on the most known and used social networks such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Read full entryThe winners and runners-up will be revealed at the gala ceremony at Croke Park, 24 January 2017. Register now  and join the league of extraordinary event professionals!