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In an increasingly digital landscape, face-to-face relationships seem to become a rarity over time. However, people need real live experiences: this is why supporting the realities of your area, through the organization of a local event, will strengthen community ties.
The leitmotif of these events must be regularity: whether it's an annual, monthly, or even weekly appointment, the important thing is to let your community know that that particular fair or congress will be held periodically on a pre-established day.
Now let's look at what other ideas could be to make this experience something memorable for your participants.
Involve the shopkeepers during the event
Agreeing with the owners of local shops is essential to allow the success of your event. A stimulating idea could be, during that particular day, to extend the opening hours, and to close certain roads to vehicles, in order to entice the inhabitants to walk through spaces.
To attract more participants, you could ask the shopkeepers to offer special discounts or offers valid only during the event: the numbers will increase if there is an opportunity to do business!
Involve restaurateurs during the event
Food is always a key element, in any geographical context. The performance of restaurants depends on the purchasing behavior of consumers: they thrive in times of growth, and struggle when people are inclined to save. Precisely for this reason, involving the culinary realities of the territory could become an irreplaceable ingredient for the recipe for the success of your event.
Try to organize, for the decided date of the local event, specific and equipped areas where the restaurant trucks can settle, and where the participants can sit and enjoy their meal. This will allow to create further connections between the participants and stimulate even more the sense of community.
Alternatively, you might consider asking restaurants to offer their customers special dishes or menus to increase participation and increase the reputation of that particular business.
Involve local cultural realities during the event
Live shows, performances and particular exhibitions are considered by the participants as elements that bring added value to a local event.
Ask galleries or museums in the area to offer free or reduced-price admissions, in order to arouse interest in subjects who would otherwise not be involved, creating a greater influx also in all related activities. Like, for example, inside the respective souvenir shops or internal catering outlets.
Otherwise, you could introduce exhibits of minor local artists or hire musicians to lend a soundtrack to your event. The solutions are therefore numerous.
Other subjects to consider
To allow your event to fully involve the local community, it is important to write down who the major players of reference in the area are, and try to involve them. Therefore, among the guests, consider, for example, local associations and businesses, even small ones, willing to lend their support, such as workshops or hairdressers.
You can also count on retail stores to reach their customers, who may be yours, and reach them via newsletter communications.
Conclusions
In conclusion, organizing a local event is a great way to nurture a sense of community, but also a valuable resource for improving your reputation.
Don't forget, however, to take preparation into consideration, then set your goals and communicate dates in advance, presence during the event and also maintaining contact once the event has come to an end.
Given these premises, the idea of planning an event with a monthly recurrence could scare you. So consider starting with a smaller event, for example a holiday, and judge the result. If it is successful then it will be time to think bigger.
