After many weeks of tales packed with tangible tips, Simon Thewlis of Event Pty Ltd is back with his final instalment, summing up the 40,000+ people event for Melbourne’s ANZAC Day.
Events are really special to be involved with
After doing many events over many years, it’s easy to forget how special it can be to be involved in the running of an event. And what a great experience it can be for someone not normally involved with events.
With ANZAC Day, we decided to extend the volunteer programme to include people who didn’t have military involvement. I did wonder whether it would be a good experience for these new volunteers, as we were asking them to be there on a cold Melbourne morning at 4am! To be standing out in the weather (and regardless of the weather) for three hours. To have a short break then do another four or five hours. And many would be performing fairly simple information or crowd-marshalling roles.
So, what happened? Well, a really good number of people volunteered. And it really did help the event. I was pleasantly surprised that many found it to be an amazing experience – and they’re keen to do it again. For them, being a part of an event operation was quite special.
Remember: The learning gained through being involved with an event, regardless of its size, can be a great volunteer experience.
Simplicity and the power of silence
One of the things the two events I’ve discussed in the last few weeks had in common was that, in essence, they were both quite simple events in concept. Simple, but done very well.
One of the things that makes the Dawn Service so powerful is the use of silence. It’s hard to explain the silent moments of the Dawn Service in a way that does it justice. The minutes between the Welcome to Country and when the MC begins his preamble where 40,000 people stand together in complete silence. The intensity of the silence.
With events, while it’s important to think about what you include it’s also important to think about what you leave out; the time you allow for people to quietly think – or to focus on something that’s very simple and resonates with them.
Remember: One of the great principles of graphic design is that the space is often just as important as the text and the imagery. The same is true with events. The quiet moments are often just as important as the busy ones.
Also read The event organisation process you will refer to forever (part six) | Executive PA Media
