A successful pivot to a fully virtual gala
$650K
Raised through tickets and sponsorships
85%
Of paid guests tuned in
68%
Of past sponsors retained
True Patriot Love’s 12th Annual Tribute Gala was scheduled to take place in November 2020. But with planning getting underway during the first wave of COVID-19 and uncertainty around the pandemic’s future looming large, we knew we needed to plan for all possible scenarios.
From the very beginning, we planned a creative hybrid format that would see the event take place both in person and virtually at the same time, to account for COVID-19 restrictions and different comfort levels. But as the event drew closer, the second wave of the pandemic started to take off –– and we had to act fast.
Just eight weeks before the event date, we pivoted to a fully virtual format. All speakers were pre-recorded, including our powerful mission moment featuring Lance Corporal (Ret’d) Cassidy Little, and a highly produced virtual presentation kept guests feeling engaged and inspired. In the end, an incredible 85% of paid guests tuned in and a total of $180,000 was raised during the event –– in addition to $650,000 raised through tickets and sponsorships.
“COVID-19 brought significant challenges to our annual Tribute Gala, but we were so lucky to have Fluid by our side every step of the way. Their creativity, professionalism and enthusiasm helped us create our first ever Virtual True Patriot Love Tribute Gala, with many guests noting it was the best virtual event they’ve seen!”
Jillian Thomson
Fluid is an event and fundraising agency that is founded on championing and partnering with non-profits.