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Looking Back on Nonprofit Leadership

Lynn Fuhler reminisces, “I have some of the fondest memories … and particularly the people who served … I’ve always been amazed at how different people remember the years they volunteered, too. Some know it by the poster design and others know it by the entertainers.”

“Arts education is often the first to go with budget cuts so it’s great to see that those early scholarship programs have taken root and have continued to grow and prosper,” says Fuhler.

–Tampa Bay Magazine

Books Release: Secrets to Successful Events

Just in time for summer, author Lynn Fuhler has released two essential how-to guides for festivals and event planners. While each guide showcases how to organize, promote and manage events, they specifically address events targeting food tourists – people who are passionate about food, wine and beer and are willing to travel great distances to enjoy the experience.

In the first book, Fuhler, the former tourism director of Clearwater Beach, Fla., has incorporated ways food tourism event organizers can work with the hospitality industry and destination marketing organizations. The ensuing results can be an official host hotel sponsorship package, added publicity, increased attendance, a more relevant audience, a boost to the local economy and more dollars raised for charity*. This manual logically walks organizers through each step in the planning process. For instance, for those unfamiliar with the quirks of online ticketing, Lynn suggests what questions planners should ask and explains the subtle nuances of payment processing.

Her second handbook geared toward those with some event experience is filled with sample contracts and forms for sponsorships, talent, vendors or concessions plus examples of bids for merchandise like tee shirts.

Lynn is the former chairman of the all-volunteer Clearwater Jazz Holiday, then the largest free jazz festival in the Southeast U.S. She holds a travel and tourism degree from St. Louis University and is co-founder of Flying Compass, a marketing and creative design firm serving the hospitality industry.

Her books, Secrets to Successful Events: How to Organize, Promote and Manage Exceptional Events and Festivals and Secrets to Successful Events Resource Guide: 42+ Easy-to-Use Forms and Tools to Save You Time and Money are available on Amazon and through major booksellers.

*The food and beverage industry plays a major role in events with more than nine out of 10 restaurants actively involved in charitable activities. Collectively one million U.S. restaurants are estimated to reach up to $3 billion each year in charitable contributions according to a Gallup poll released in August 2016.

–World Food Travel Association

10 Best Event Planning Books

“Secrets to Successful Events” is one of the most useful event planning business books. Lynn Fuhler draws on decades of professional experience to help readers master the finer points of planning. The book describes how to arrange logistics such as managing parking and traffic, ticketing, booking, promotion and publicity, staging, and post-event tasks. The book explains how to coordinate and deal with involved parties, including security, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, venue staff, entertainment, and guests. The chapters get into the nitty-gritty of event administration and shed light on the behind-the-scenes tasks and responsibilities that are invisible to attendees. The book guides readers through every step of the planning process, from conception of the event to closing ceremonies and cleanup. “Secrets to Successful Events” is a comprehensive insider guide to the finer points of event planning.

Notable Quote: “Event planners should always do a competitive analysis before creating an event and adding it to a crowded community calendar. Find out which events have traditionally occurred on specific dates or weekends on or about the same time as your proposed event.”

Angela Robinson, Teambuilding.com