Start your Summit experience with exclusive Early Bird Sessions led by our Million Dollar Events on March 10th. These optional sessions will highlight the strategies, ideas, and best practices that have driven record-breaking success and unforgettable event experiences.
Outsmarting the Odds: Winning in Small Markets
Success doesn’t depend on zip code—it depends on strategy. Explore how to elevate your event in a smaller market by optimizing what you do have and cutting what you don’t need. Perfect for anyone ready to reimagine what’s possible in their community.
Facilitated by: Jessica Wright (Northern Colorado CBB), Tara Graves (Permian Basin CBB)
Volunteer Relationships in Action
In this session, we’ll explore how to manage and nurture the many layers of volunteer relationships that power our events. We’ll look at how a personalized, intentional approach strengthens engagement with relationships and how effective day-of coaching for volunteers creates a seamless, mission-centered experience for everyone involved.
Facilitated by: Kathleen Magistro (Babes Against Cancer), Rebecca Zavala (Chicago Select), and Esther Scheele (Chicago Discovery Ball)
Pre-Event Engagements to Drive Revenue and Impact
This session explores creative strategies to extend engagement, deepen connections, and amplify your gala’s impact beyond the main event. Learn how these moments can boost networking, donor loyalty, and overall event ROI.
Facilitated by: Caitlin Doepfner Clay, Mary Martin France, & Jo Carden (Dallas CBB)
From Trends to Tools: Evolving Events with GiveSmart
Across thousands of events on GiveSmart, trends are emerging in how participants engage and give. This session will share high-level event trend observations alongside the GiveSmart features organizations are incorporating into their event experiences. We’ll explore how teams are adapting and experimenting with GiveSmart platform tools to support engagement, fundraising, and mission impact.
Facilitated by: Cara Dickerson (VP Client Success + Account Management, GiveSmart) & Erin Obermayer (Senior Manager of Client Success, GiveSmart)
Hard Truths, Smart Moves: Lessons from Tenured Events That Changed the Game
Hear directly from seasoned staff who’ve led long-running events through major shifts. They’ll share the hard-earned lessons, the unexpected wins, and the pivotal decisions that reshaped their programs. This peer-driven session offers real examples, practical wisdom, and the kind of insights you only gain through years of experience.
Facilitated by: Kathy Fritz (St. Louis Champions of Hope) and Mercedes McGinthy (Richmond Cattle Barons Ball)
Unlocking a Growth Mindset
This session explores how adopting a true growth mindset can unlock sustained year-over-year success. We’ll dig into multiyear strategy, building powerhouse volunteer leadership, using recruitment events to expand influence, and elevating pre-commit paddle raise conversations to drive transformational revenue.
Facilitated by: Addie Thompson and Kristine Scull (San Francisco Discovery Ball)
Memorable to Extraordinary: Strategies for Next-Level Guest Experiences
Take your events from memorable to extraordinary by mastering the art of guest experience. In this session, you’ll uncover innovative strategies, creative enhancements, and practical tips to surprise and delight attendees at every touchpoint. Learn how to create moments that resonate long after the event ends, driving deeper engagement and lasting impact.
Facilitated by: Chanel McGregor (Naples Bucket List Bash) and Adrienne Rich (Richmond CBB)
From Trends to Tools: Evolving Events with GiveSmart
Across thousands of events on GiveSmart, trends are emerging in how participants engage and give. This session will share high-level event trend observations alongside the GiveSmart features organizations are incorporating into their event experiences. We’ll explore how teams are adapting and experimenting with GiveSmart platform tools to support engagement, fundraising, and mission impact.
Facilitated by: Cara Dickerson (VP Client Success + Account Management, GiveSmart) & Erin Obermayer (Senior Manager of Client Success, GiveSmart)
