Hi there !

I have a good friend who manages a big hotel.  He has offered to let
me use his 750-person ballroom for one night free.  However, the hotel
gets the money from the cash bar. (Drink rates are very
reasonable---20% below the market rate.)

He also volunteered that I could get a local winery to provide free
wine for the event.  The wineries apparently do this to (1) sell wine
at the event itself, and (2) gain exposure.  But if I use the winery,
then the cash bar will make less money and I'll have to pay a token
amount to rent the ballroom.

So, how do I make a buck?  I would love to sponsor a no-charge singles
mixer (free to 750 attendees).  But I need something to sell to recoup
my out-of-pocket expenses.  The goal is not to get rich;  the goal is
to break even after all expenses.

A 5-star answer would be 3 ideas.  No background or supporting
documentation needed.  Just some ideas.  I would be especially
interested in similar events held elsewhere which have made enough
money to break even.

All comments greatly appreciated !

Thanks.
ron

Hello,

If you?re thinking of a singles event, there are a number of possible
ideas that you could do to break even, or even make a few dollars. In
addition, they?ll get you more attendance and publicity. I also
recommend advertising in any local publications you can find for your
event. Following Cynthias-ga idea, if you get a local radio station to
do a remote, ask them if they?ll advertise as well for free?..

Being that the premise of a singles event is to meet people, offer
roses with a card for a phone number to the attendees. Let them know
they can give a rose with their number to someone their interested
in?. You could probably get a bulk deal from a florist and then
up-charge a bit to make a profit. For example if you could purchase
300 roses at 1.00 per rose, you could then sell them at 2.00 a rose,
and make a 300.00 profit. Just make sure you buy fewer roses than
people, as I?m sure not everyone will want one.

You could hold a raffle for a few items at your event. For example,
raffle off a man?s and women?s mountain bike. You could purchase both
bikes for less than 300.00, and sell 1.00 raffle tickets. Raffles are
a great way to make a profit. Alternatively, you could offer ?Date
packages? in the raffle.  A dinner gift certificate to a restaurant in
town for 50.00, A gift cert. to a local dance club for drinks?.you
name it. More than likely you?ll make a profit on these as well. I?m
sure some local businesses might even donate items to get the
exposure, as you mentioned with the wine companies.

You could also get a few volunteers to provide childcare; possibly
even overnight childcare, at the event for the attendees. Rent, or see
of the hotel would donate a few rooms and a find yourself a few
volunteers, and you?ll have many people who?ll come and stay longer.
Also, see if the hotel will offer a discount on rooms for people
attending your event. That way, if you offer overnight childcare and a
discounted room rate, you?ll get more attendees, and more people at
the cash bar ?

I?ve personally used/seen used all of these ideas at various functions
I?ve attended or organized, and they?ve worked really well. I hope
that they will for you too.

If this answer requires further explanation, please request
clarification before rating it, and I'll be happy to look into this
further.
Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher

nenna---these are exceptionally practical ideas.  Top-notch !

Thanks a million !
ron

See if you can surcharge the alcohol, however you get it. Even if the
hotel collects the surcharge, you don't have to worry about it
affecting your bottom line for spirits...

If you get the wine for free, you still can sell the wine...

If you have an open bar, all bets are off anyway. 

Instead of a DJ proper, see what options might be for a radio station remote.

Find a corporate co-sponsor for the event... a Pizza place, a local
restaurant, etc. They may get naming options and provide a goody bag
from various sponsors, including coupons, brochures, etc.

I am not a Google Answers Researcher.

crythias---excellent suggestions !

You *should* be a GA researcher.  I'll be your campaign manager to get you the job.

Thanks again.
ron

Hee :) Thanks for the Kudos.

Hi Nron,

Too easy !!!!

Go auction. I had a target of $20,000 for a fundraising event for
CANTEEN a few years ago, (Kids with Cancer). 4 of us raised $25,000 +.
$5,000 was raised on the night of the dinner/auction. I easily found
corporate support. As soon as you call it a charity event, you will be
inundated with help. It's all about perception. If you can source some
unique products or services you will find yourself on a winner. If
your sums don't quite add up on the night, then guess what? You will
just have to auction yourself off to the highest bidder. You might end
up mowing lawns for a week, or ironing for a fortnight. If you are a
girl, then you can expect higher than average bids, especially if the
male bidders have had a few drinks. Just make sure that you are the
sober one to ensure that you don't agree to carrying out promised
services that you may not usually do in the harsh light of day. :)

Use peoples egos. The fact that it's a singles night will raise the
dollar value of the singles egos. Feed 'em, get 'em drunk and watch
the egos get larger by the dollar. Just one word of advice. Get the
cheque there and then on the night. Deposit it to the bank the
following day. All intending bidders should have an identification
bidder number. That way you can chase up the runaways if needed. Make
it a rule at the beginning of your auction .. all bids over say $500
must be honoured by cash or cheque there and then.

If you are honest about breaking even, then a charity will go a long
way in your advertising to entice support.

Above all, make it fun .. the rest will follow.

Kind regards, Phil 

ps .. I promise this will work if you allow it to.

Ron,

OOps .. by your sign-off name I guess you are a bloke. Not to matter.
We can soon find some girls to auction off on the night. Let's see
what response I get from this !!!! Groan .. here come the equality
chicks .. I can hear the high heels grinding into the cork floors and
the shoulder pads rustling. Uh Oh .. here come the comfortable shoe
types. Oh well, guess I deserve the invited onslaught of chicks with
no homour. I'll run this by you anyway.

Let me know where you are and when you want to run your event. This
will be  profitable fun for a charity.

Make a killing Ron, all the best, Phil.

Hello, 

Thank you for your rating and kind words. I'm glad I could be of help.

Nenna-GA

silver777---this is terrific advice.  Even the equality chicks will be
impressed.  And yes, it is charity.  Soooooooo, an auction is a
terrific idea.

Thanks for taking the time.  Also, thanks for your practical and
"insensitive" insights.   I'm glad to see there are at least two of us
still around.   heh  heh  heh

All the best,
ron