Perhaps the best way to energize a fundraising base is to hold a special fundraising event during the annual congress or convention. After all, this is the time when people have the topics and issues of the fundraising cause top of mind.
For MPI WEC 2008, the fundraising event idea included an evening of food, beverages and live music at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. The event also included the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau as the title sponsor, as well as several other contributing sponsors to help underwrite costs.
Advance ticket prices were set at $110 (USD) and onsite tickets were $125 (USD). More than 1,000 attendees joined the event -- about 25% of all attendees.