In the Era of COVID-19, Virtual Events Surpass Expectations

by festgal35

Going Virtual Fills Void of In-Person Events  says Lehigh Valley Event Firm 

LEHIGH VALLEY, PA (October 15, 2020) – In the landscape of a pandemic, going virtual is the ‘new norm.’ Now more than ever, hosting a successful social, business, or fundraising event is imperative. 

“Virtual events will continue to drive communications and event planning strategies through 2020, into 2021 and beyond,” says Deb Rice, Founder and Principal of Fun-Nominal Events and Marketing, a Lehigh Valley marketing firm. 

Fun-Nominal began implementing special events on a virtual platform for clients early during the COVID-19 lockdown. Since then, more than a dozen success stories have resulted. Several more benefits are in the works, including a virtual fundraiser for KidsPeace on November 13 (www.eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-kidspeace-bingo-tickets-124727279651). Rice believes the virtual trend has staying power. So do her clients. 

“Although skeptical at first, we held our first online fundraising event with Fun-Nominal events. The result was our most extensive participation in history, and we raised almost $5,000 for the Literacy Council,” says Ryan Breisch- Executive Director, Reading-Berks Literacy Council. 

The shift online has opened opportunities for larger audiences. The digital world does not limit attendees by geographic location. “Most of our clients expressed great satisfaction with larger than expected reach and revenue through virtual attendance,” adds Rice. 

“We greatly valued having virtual event support for the Author Discussion Panel with Meryl Ain to benefit The Lend A Hand Project of Long Island. Hosting a virtual event is important to keep our donors and members engaged in our mission,” says Lisa Pollack, Executive Director, The Lend A Hand Project. 

“Getting information out during the COVID lockdown was extremely important and challenging. We were pleased to have Fun-Nominal Events host an online panel to discuss local, regional and state news, policy, and information with area nonprofits,” says Tina Smith, Director of Community Economic Development, Northampton County. 

It is essential to engage your audience in a personal, unique, and meaningful way continues Rice, whose clients report higher engagement, revenue, and reach than expected.

“When the State Theatre was closed due to the pandemic, it was wonderful to log into something as fun as the weekly virtual bingo event Debi created for women in business,” says Jamie Balliet, “SVP VP., Marketing State Theatre Easton.

  “That “for fun” virtual bingo endeavor opened doors for local and regional nonprofits to fundraise online,” recalls Rice. She adds, “We planned to reach 10 to 20 friends virtually through social media – however, the event quickly grew to 150 virtual attendees in less than two weeks.” 

Also participating in various new virtual happenings:

Next on the virtual auction block — a fine contemporary regional art auction to support the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation’s new palliative care scholarship program in partnership with St.Luke’s Health Network. 

Fun-Nominal Events and Marketing is a full-service event planning and marketing agency. For events we provide logistic services, event planning and support, and complete event management. With over 20 years of event experience the staff of FNE has planned large galas, 6,000+ attendee ticketed festivals, numerous grand openings, hundreds of trade-show set-ups, and countless private client events including open houses and sporting events. Fun-Nominal Marketing provides strategy planning, digital marketing, social media posting (including content design), blogging, e-newsletters, video, and creative solutions to grow the virtual identity into sales and business growth.

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