Make your next event green – and perhaps a little more profitable.

Is 2009 going to be tough year for fund raising events?   It may be too soon to tell, but it is not too soon to begin thinking about way to bring in revenue from new sources.  One of them may be the energy industry by enlisting companies to "green" your event.

Many electric utilities are now running energy conservation programs.  These companies can be excellent partners with NPOs in planning and producing fund raising events that are all green and develop a new source of revenue. Other potential sources are organic farms, healthcare organizations and local restaurants, caterers and the venues.

 One organization last year brought  all three sectors together to produce its annual fund raising luncheon as a green, carbon-free, all organic and locally-grown event.  The local power company, PG&E, brought in stand alone computers that luncheon guests could use to calculate their carbon footprint and learn about PG&E's ClimateSmart conservation program.  PG&E also brought in its all-electric Prius, which was installed at the event's reception along with PG&E staff and information about all electric and natural gas cars.  The audio-visual contractor used low energy LED stage lights.  The lunch menu was from Kaiser Permanente's collection of healthy menus, and was cooked with all-organic and locally grown food by the Chef at the venue, the San Francisco Marriott Hotel.

The event was very successful financially and also in building relationships and demonstrating the organization's innovation and willingness to take a chance for the environment.  The event planner, Laurie Earp & Associates, now advertises her ability to produce green events, as does Seven Stars, which specializes in green events in the southern US.

The organization above had existing relationships with the power company and the HMO.  But, by bringing in their expertise and programs to produce a green event, they increased donations and strengthened donor loyalty.  The same technique can be used to bring in new donors.  Energy utilities, oil companies, energy conservation and alternative energy companies operate energy conservation programs.  In the US, Florida Light and Power, NV Energy, Dominion energy are among the utilities promoting conservation and alternative energy.  Utilities across Canada are dong the same, including Utilties Canada's innovative solar hot water program, and BP Canada.  In the UK, the UK Energy Conservation Companies Index is a good place to prospect for partners.

When you are planning your event, look at the ways you can provide promotion to companies with programs for the energy conservation and alternative energy and organic and/or healthy food.  The conservation programs of local utilities are and ideal way to develop a relationship that naturally leads to sponsorship of a reception or other aspect of your event. And don't forget to ask them to calculate and buy carbon offsets. Try to design your food around the produce of an organic farm or distributor and ask them to sponsor the meal.  Use the menu from a popular cook book and approach the publisher or writer for a sponsorship of the food. Start early with the caterer or hotel chef – they have to be able to cook and buy the recommended food;  and ask for a discount because you will promote them in yur invitation and event program.