THE 2nd ANNUAL
RUN WALK RIDE FUNDRAISING CONFERENCE

Opening Reception: Wednesday, February 27
Conference: Thursday, February 28

The Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia

Click here to
register online
This is the ONLY EVENT created with the athletic event fundraising professional in mind!
This can't-miss conference will help you:

  • Recruit profitable participants
  • Raise more money
  • Attract and retain key sponsors
  • Better manage the people, technology and numerous other elements necessary for your event and organization to prosper

Attend the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Conference and you'll learn from leading experts, network with industry colleagues, get a first look at the latest research and much, much more!

THE 2008 RWRF CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, February 27

6:00 pm to 8:30 pm – Opening Reception and Dinner

Reunite with old colleagues, make new connections and learn about events that are changing the face of athletic event fundraising.

Dinner Presentation: New Formats, New Audiences

A crowded marketplace has inspired some organizations to develop untraditional programs involving everything from adventure travel and scaling skyscrapers to running in your skivvies. CauseForce President Brian Pendleton explores this phenomenon and presents a case study of The Underwear Affair, a race supporting research against cancers below the waist.

Thursday, February 28

6:30 am to 8:00 am – Morning workout for a cause that supports us all

Stretch your legs on a treadmill, ride an exercise bike or swim a few laps in the hotel pool. We’ll make a donation in your name to ING’s Run for Something Better which supports youth running programs in schools – the breeding ground for future runners, walkers and riders!

8:30 am – Continental breakfast and check-in

9:00 am – The Run Walk Ride Thirty Premiere

What were America’s top athletic event fundraising programs in 2007? Be the first in the industry to hear the results of our second annual benchmarking study from Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council President David Hessekiel.

9:30 – Sponsorship Perspectives

Why do some nonprofits reap substantial support and build long-term relationships with sponsors while others practically give sponsorships away? Lead Dog Marketing Group President & CEO Dan Mannix will offer up strategies to build a successful sponsorship program and New Balance Integrated Marketing Associate Chris Mann provides a sponsor’s point of view.

10:15 – The Event Audit – Discovering Hidden Opportunities

With all it takes to manage an athletic fundraising event, it’s easy to lose sight of critical details that can make a huge difference. An event audit can uncover opportunities to achieve new levels of success. Event 360 President Jeff Shuck and Constituent Events Director Lynn DeHoyos of the Alzheimer’s Assocation will describe the process employed and and insights gained from their audit of the Memory Walk.

11:00 – Break

11:15 – Discussion Roundtable Session 1

Dive into your choice of facilitated discussions of critical issues such as recruitment, volunteer management, online fundraising, sponsorship, financial management and more.

12:00 – Discussion Roundtable Session 2

Switch topics and engage in a sharing of best practices and mistakes to be avoided with other athletic event fundraising professionals

12:45 – Luncheon and Keynote Speaker: 25 Years of Komen Race for the Cure

Since its 1983 launch, the Komen Race for the Cure® Series has grown from one local race in Dallas with 800 participants to a global series engaging more than 1.4 million people in 115+ races. Susan G. Komen for the Cure Affiliate Network Director Stefan Strickland reflects on the training, relationships and systems that make her organization an industry leader.

2:15 –Critical Online Strategies and Tactics

The competitive edge that web savvy organizations have in registration, fundraising and retention is dramatic. Charity Dynamics President Donna Wilkins provides key insights into recruiting, increasing donations and stewarding participants with case studies documenting how organizations upgraded their online efforts.

3:15 – Legal Perspectives

You don’t have to be a lawyer to manage an athletic fundraising event, but legal knowledge can help you avoid major problems. Don’t miss valuable advice from attorney Erika Moore Hollis on responsible event and risk management, including waivers, sponsorship contracts, and insurance.

4:00 – Closing Session

We finish with a discussion of athletic event fundraising’s future featuring a presentation by Pamela Bishop, head of Cause Related Marketing for ING Financial Services, America's leading sponsor of marathons. We'll also hold a drawing for tickets provided by JetBlue Airways, official airline of the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council.

Register Online or by Mail by January 22 to Save!

Early registrants save $100 on Run Walk Ride Fundraising Conference registration.

Early Registration Fee: $795 (must be received by 1/25/2008)
Regular Registration Fee: $895

Become a RWRF member when you register
for the conference for added savings

Click here
to register