Aftermath
March 18, 2011 at 6:42 am | Posted in event planning | 33 CommentsYou know when you work really, really hard on something and a lot is riding on it and it goes off without a hitch but you can’t feel the awesomeness because you are exhausted to the bone? That’s pretty much where I am at right now.
The fundraiser was a huge, massive, awesome success. At least that’s what everyone is telling me. And if wrangling over 1,100 guests and raising more than $833,000 (way over goal) doesn’t tell me it was a success, I don’t know what will. Even my boss, who we know isn’t the greatest at giving positive feedback (she’s been working on it), has been calling me the unsung hero and the heart of the event. My co-chairs gave me a gift and keep calling me a rock star. Mr. Darcy even came, donated more than we had agreed upon because he was so moved, and when he found me after proclaimed how proud he is of me. I was like, SEE?! This is why I have been out of my mind and working crazy hours.
There were the minor hiccups- People showed up claiming they were registered when they were, in fact, not. Some people tried to squeeze 11 guests at a table that fit 10 guests tightly. One of the power point slides did not have all the correct names of donors. And yes, someone kind of missed their cue but maybe only I noticed (and those in the front row who saw me scrambling towards them and gesturing semi-wildly to hurry the F up). And yes, our diva was very diva but also very real and funny when she ventured off her script- a script that was faxed to her about 30 minutes prior to her speaking which was pretty obvious as she held the paper up close to her face wearing her sparkly rhinestone reading glasses while standing at the podium. She did not get the name of the organization wrong. But when she sang? She blew the roof off that place. Let it be know that Ms. LaBelle has serious pipes.
Oh yeah. Patti LaBelle was our celebrity guest. And she hugged me. And her piano player kissed my cheek. SO THERE. Her whole crew was full of lovely people and while it was insanely difficult to get information out of them prior to their arrival, they at least arrived on time and delivered.
So now I am trying to do all the stuff that is required of an event planner post-event- like thanking everyone and entering all the gifts and making reports and debriefing with people. We got one email that had used an exclamation point at the end of every single sentence. And the email was 4 paragraphs long! It sang the praises of the event from start to finish and basically said that other non-profits should take a cue from us on how to run a successful, inspiring event.
Well I’ll be.
And now my life can resume some semblance of normalcy. I can go back to my regular work outs, cooking dinner and eating it before 9pm, seeing my boyfriend for more than 30 minutes before falling asleep, reading blogs and actually writing on my own. But first, a celebratory lunch with my coworkers and then a massage. Because, goddamn, I earned it.
Like this:
33 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a Reply
-
-
Blog Design
Character Illustration
-
-
Get a blog at WordPress.com | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
HOORAY!
Comment by Rhi— March 18, 2011 #
Congratulations! You really are a rockstar! Now go get pampered, because it sounds like you more than deserve it!
Comment by Jessie— March 18, 2011 #
So happy for you! *confetti*
Comment by Miranda— March 18, 2011 #
Congratulations!
Comment by Alison— March 18, 2011 #
Congrats! I know what a great feeling that is — to raise that kind of money in these economic times is even MORE of a statement about the power and success of YOUR event! Go get that massage!
Comment by jessica— March 18, 2011 #
Way to go, Congrats on a successful event.
Comment by christina976— March 18, 2011 #
Sounds like quite the success. Congratulations on an awesome job!
Comment by Rachel K— March 18, 2011 #
I am so goddamn proud of you.
Not just for the planning of an amazingly successful event.
But for how dedicated you are, even when it’s frustrating.
And for having integrity, for being passionate and learning to celebrate the (small and huge) victories for YOURSELF.
xo
J
Comment by jenny 2 times— March 18, 2011 #
Congratulations and good job! Exclamation point :)
Comment by Karla— March 18, 2011 #
You are so amazing! Although I don’t “know” you, I feel proud just to know you. That non-profit is so lucky to have you!
Comment by Tia— March 18, 2011 #
Wow, this is incredible. Congratulations! I cannot imagine the amount of work that went into your event. I’m helping to raise just $100K for charity here at work and it’s like pulling teeth! But I do relate to the late dinners, not seeing your man for more than 30 minutes, and missing exercise.
Enjoy every second of that massage. You more than deserve it!
Comment by Catheroo— March 18, 2011 #
I knew you would do it. You are awesome! I am so happy it went well.
Comment by Radioactivetori— March 18, 2011 #
Heck yes you earned it!
(And the part about Mr. Darcy showing up and donating more and being so proud of you? Totally made me tear up a little. So sweet, you two.)
Comment by Kerri Anne— March 18, 2011 #
I knew it would be great! Congratulations! Even if the work isn’t over, I am glad you’re basking in the success a little anyway. :)
Comment by LesleyG— March 18, 2011 #
Congrats on a huge (!!!) success. Now go sleep for the weekend!
Comment by Ginger— March 18, 2011 #
AMAZING JOB!!! You’ve earned the relaxation, the praise, and more!!! xoxo
Comment by Abby - Bright Yellow World— March 18, 2011 #
CONGRATS! You should be very proud of yourself! Sounds like you should celebrate big time! Check out Ms. LaBelle’s recipe for mac and cheese. It’s the bestest EVER! My very favorite reward or thing to make a shitty day better. Have a stellar weekend!
Comment by Tracy— March 18, 2011 #
Congratulations!! You have seriously Rocked-It. Again.
Comment by Lynda— March 18, 2011 #
I knew you would do it! Because you ROCK, lady!! Congratulations!!
Comment by Angella— March 18, 2011 #
Celebrate! And Brag! This is great stuff!
Comment by Hvitveis— March 18, 2011 #
Congrats, Sizz!!! I know how hard you’ve been working on this, well, at least I have a sense of how hard you’ve been working on this. I’m thrilled your efforts paid off so well. Way to kick some event planning ass! :D
Comment by claire— March 18, 2011 #
BRAVO!!!! Now go put on your bunny slippers, grab a cold drink and R-E-L-A-X.
Comment by Matilda— March 18, 2011 #
Yay! Congrats! :)
Comment by Sarah— March 18, 2011 #
Huge congrats. You are definitely worthy of a whole weekend of celebrating. Enjoy!
Comment by Kathleen— March 18, 2011 #
Ahhh Sizzly, CONGRATS!!!! I’m so glad everything turned out incredibly well!! We need more amazing people like you!
Comment by Michi— March 19, 2011 #
That’s awesome! Congrats and enjoy a return to the slower pace of life :)
Comment by The Modern Gal— March 19, 2011 #
Congrats on the successful event.
But wait… did you say normalcy would now return to your life? Since when is anything in your life “normal”? ;-)
Comment by kapgar— March 19, 2011 #
Congratulations!!
Comment by Melissa— March 20, 2011 #
Ohhhh, I’ve been excited to hear how it went! Great job, S!
Comment by Nanette— March 20, 2011 #
Well done on such a success :) Enjoy the post-event high and relaxation :)
Comment by Ys— March 21, 2011 #
Huge congrats, Sizzle. What an amazing accomplishment!!!
Comment by Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks— March 21, 2011 #
Aww, sizzle! I am so so proud of you!!! It takes A LOT to be organized and you worked really hard. You deserve all of that praise! And more! :)
Comment by kilax— March 29, 2011 #
You are awesomeness Sizz! Congrats on a spectacular event!
Comment by Polín— April 1, 2011 #