We just recently completed our fourth annual video for Glenwood Academy, and something really stood out this year that anyone planning an event can learn from.

First, some background, the school is a non-profit in Chicago’s south suburbs. It’s a great school for good kids growing up in bad neighborhoods.

School leaders hold a fundraising luncheon every year before Thanksgiving. It’s a big deal. They hold it in the main ballroom at the Hilton Chicago. It’s about as swag an event space as you’re going to find.

This is the first year I’ve been able to attend, and I was impressed… big time. The school’s most generous donors and the kids from the school, all sitting at tables together mingling. There’s a live auction for some big-ticket items, and then an opportunity for people to make scholarship donations.

video’s role at the event

Before the scholarship donations, school leaders show a video. This is where we come in. The task we’re given every year is to bring to life Glenwood’s students and help people see and feel how their donations make a difference.

Video– learn more about Glenwood’s video philosophy

The theme behind this year’s video was “a day in the life” of Glenwood’s students. I was happy to hear the audience give it a big ovation.

What you can learn from Glenwood

Here’s what everyone can learn from Glenwood. First, they spend the money to produce a quality video. This is a big-time event with important people, and they want a video to match the event. Glenwood may be a non-profit, but they understand the power of video and clearly believe they’re getting a return on their investment.

Second, they know how to stage things. The video came in a little more than half-way through the program. Just when people’s interest or attention might be fading, they hit them with a video. It perked up everyone and got them ready to open their wallets for the main part of the fundraising.

Folks… their leaders “get” it. Video has the power to grab an audience’s attention and get them pumped-up about the subject at hand.

You need video at your corporate events.

–Tony Gnau

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