WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER MY EVENT IS OVER?

Your work is not quite done after the last car drives away and the clean up crew finishes. Here are some things that should be done post-event:

· Outreach follow-up: Interview the minglers and note any particular noteworthy encounters they had with guests and determine if there is any follow-up to be done.

· After Action Report: Compile a list of lessons learned from yourself and from your team. Note what went well, not so well, and what can be improved, added, deleted, etc. Anaylze other results from your registration forms: How many of the car owners were from outside your local area and how might that affect your publicity next year? How did they learn about the show and how does that impact next year’s publicity? How many car clubs were represented and were there any new ones you were not already aware of? Those new clubs can be invited next year.

· Invitation List for Next Year: Compile a spreadsheet of car owner attendees from your registration forms so that the car owners can be easily invited by e-mail or snail mail the following year. Of course, next year’s publicity will seek an even larger turnout but you can count on at least a fourth of those who turned up the first year.

· Send thank you notes signed by your pastor to the car owners who attended. Personalize the notes by name and the particular car they brought (noted on the registration form). Along with the note, include a photo print taken by your photographer of them taken next to their car or list a website where they can view and download the pictures.

· Post pictures of your event on your church website and other car show websites that will host them. When you advertise your next event, the church website will be on your flyers where potential attendees can get current details as well as an idea of what to expect from last year’s photos. Showing your turnout is important, so be sure to upload pictures of your parking lot or field full of cars in addition to close-ups of specific cars and activities.

I hope you find this guide useful. I welcome stories and pictures of your event or links to your church website for the same. I also welcome lessons learned, planning tips, suggestions for this website, etc. You can e-mail me at: gary.mathis@yahoo.com

God Bless!