Food for Thought: Governor Mario Cuomo helps a non-profit exceed fundraising goals

The third oldest organization of their kind in the United States, The Ohio Hunger Task Force was celebrating a quarter century of feeding the hungry in Ohio. In 1996 they decided to increase their fundraising efforts and visibility, especially through outreach to government officials and the corporate community. They consulted with another Ohio non-profit, Columbus Speech and Hearing, who had recently hosted Mrs. Barbara Bush and sold out 1,530 seats, who recommended they call The Harry Walker Agency to find a speaker.

The Ohio Hunger Task Force, like most non-profits, was nervous at first about committing a budget to a speaker. The agents at The Harry Walker Agency walked step-by-step through the mechanics and financials of bringing in a speaker. We were able to help them rework their budget by asking such questions as, "How many seats do you have?" "What will the audience pay for a seat?" "Can you find a personal or corporate underwriter to defray costs?"

Once we detailed the revised budget with new sponsorship and ticket sales estimates, we went to work on the speaker selection to suit their goals and largely conservative audience. That year, Ohio Hunger Task Force invited Governor Mario Cuomo to keynote their event. A speaker who could deliver their message of social responsibility and service, Governor Cuomo is widely known as one of the best orators in the United States - and he had the name recognition to draw public visibility to the event.

Even before the event happened, it was billed a success beyond their wildest expectations! Almost daily reports prior to the event indicated it was "sold out, exceeded fundraising goals and already received tons of press."

As expected, reports after the event were equally ecstatic. "There are not enough adjectives to describe how wonderful Governor Cuomo was and what a tremendous job he did for us. Fabulous, excellent, fabulous. He had the audience in a trance. The best speaker ever."

The following year we helped them present Dr. William Bennett and they credited that event with "enhancing and strengthening (their) relationship with Columbus’ corporate leaders," and reported an expected net profit of "over $75,000."

Case Study for University

The HWA brings an international dignitary to celebrate a university’s anniversary.

A crowd of almost 1,500 turned out for Shimon Peres’ keynote speech at Lamar University’s 75^th Anniversary Celebration. According to the program chair, this left the University with only one dilemma: "How could we possibly top this lecture next year?"

Starting one year in advance, the University extended an invitation to a speaker who had a personal scheduling conflict. It was up to us to suggest alternative speakers and provide the information necessary to help them make a decision.

Once Prime Minister Peres accepted their invitation, we worked out the details to make the event memorable for the students, the faculty and the community. As the program chair reported after the event, Shimon Peres’ "message moved the audience to rave reviews and to very positive feelings about him and about the evening. Our students have been discussing both him personally and his talk all week."

The program chair was a full-time faculty member who relied on The Harry Walker Agency to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible. We were committed to making the logistical details of bringing an international dignitary run smoothly, and the final result was a program chair who was actually able to enjoy the event she planned.

"It was a special treat for me and the committee members who put this visit together. The Shimon Peres visit to our university last week was a huge success, and your agency’s part in that is so much appreciated. All of my questions were answered with dispatch, and your beautifully trained staff helped us achieve a special success for the lecture series and the whole community. "

Case Study for Hospitals

Words Can Heal: Bill Bennett helps a children’s hospital exceed its annual fundraising goals

The Women’s Board of Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida is a group of dedicated volunteers with the mission of funding state of the art services, programs and equipment for the healthcare of all children. Understanding that the success of their annual fundraiser depends greatly on the size of the crowd, they established an annual lecture series known as Florida Forum.

The HWA worked with the Board to understand the mission of the hospital, goal of the event, and profile of the audience. We sent videos, bios, books and articles on several speakers within budget to help the board make its selection.

That was 6 years ago, and The Women’s Board of Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital has been working with HWA ever since. Bringing speakers such as President and Mrs. Bush, Cokie Roberts, Henry Kissinger and Lea Rabin has enabled the Women’s Board to meet or exceed their fundraising goals each year. In fact, the event has gained distinction in the community and therefore has become one of the most respected and anticipated lecture series in the Southeast region of the United States.

Most recently, the Women’s Board selected William Bennett as the speaker for their 1998 fundraiser. "The strength of our annual fund raising event, Florida Forum, was increased through this successful evening," wrote Board Director Mary New. "Everyone I have spoken with who was present at the Dr. William Bennett Florida Forum agreed that it was one of the most entertaining, informative and inspiring hours they have ever experienced. His tour of the hospital gave us the opportunity of the photography we will find so useful in our publications."

Deciding to bring Dr. William Bennett to their annual event helped the Women’s Board meet their fundraising goals and perpetuated the sterling reputation of the series they have worked so hard to develop.

Case Study For Trade Associations

Read All About It: Jerry DellaFemina helps a trade association get the word out

You know the speaker is a success when the group not only turns out in full force to hear him speak, but also votes to establish a business relationship with the speaker because they loved his message so much.

That’s what happened when The Harry Walker Agency sent advertising giant Jerry DellaFemina to keynote a conference of the Newspaper Association of America.

They needed an advertising guru and we suggested Mr. DellaFemina. When the Association learned that Mr. DellaFemina liked newspapers so much that he bought the East Hampton Independent, a weekly on the East End of Long Island, the deal was sealed.

The event was a smash and not only did the Association get a bullseye of a speech –they also got an ad campaign that’s running across the country in print and on television. Maybe you’ve seen those Meryl Streep commercials about reading to your children?

Everyday The Harry Walker Agency works with trade associations on specific speaker needs. Whether for a big name keynote, specialty topic, spouse program, lunch seminar, or entertainment, we’re able to offer great ideas that fit the budget and the audience.

Case study for Business/ Corporate

Counting the inventory: John Sculley helps a Chamber reach the top of the demand curve

The Harry Walker Agency has vast experience providing speakers for public and private business events across all industries, including Fortune 500s, start-ups, and Chambers of Commerce.

In 1998 the Chamber of Southwest Florida was moving its annual economic conference to larger quarters and needed a name to bring people through the door and attract substantial pre and post event media coverage. Looking for a business speaker particularly experienced in marketing and technology, we suggested industry pioneer John Sculley.

"John Sculley did exactly what we needed him to. He drew a larger crowd for us than we usually get and he got us tons of ink. We actually doubled our audience!"

The Harry Walker Agency worked with the Chamber to select the right speaker and to make sure the presentation was on target for the audience. That meant setting up preparatory calls between Mr. Sculley and the Chamber and facilitating all communication. Both parties were flexible and worked together to develop a customized presentation.

We also worked with the Chamber to arrange pre-event media interviews with Mr. Sculley. The post-event coverage needed little planning since Mr. Sculley’s presence and prominence drew press to the event.

Companies call on us every day to find the pre-eminent business speakers for annual meetings, client events, internal seminars, and luncheon keynotes. We have intimate knowledge of which speakers are tackling industry problems, and know that our speakers will prepare your employees, executives and clients for business in the new millennium.

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