Twestival Global Vancouver 2010

This is the third time I have organized Twestival in Vancouver and each experience has been an adventure and a challenge. Since 2007 I have been using my site to raise awareness and funds for causes, from the annual Blogathon or through events I have hosted, to collecting food donations for these causes.

Photo credit: Tris Hussey

In 2009 Amanda Rose (@Amanda on Twitter) thought of combining Twitter with a live event that would support a cause. She took it big time – she took it global. Suddenly Twestival Global was born and in February of 2009 about 200 cities around the world were supporting Charity:Water with live events on the same night. Over $250,000 was raised by people coming together through Twitter. Later that year, in September, cities were able to select their own causes and here in Vancouver, the BC Childrens Hospital topped a public poll and because our fundraising cause for Twestival Local.

The Global Twestival team has done amazing things to organize WordPress blogs for every participating city, online ticketing systems, branding, and helping with global sponsors and partnerships.

Although I was pretty much alone in my previous Twestival efforts in Vancouver (and we raised about $4,000 and $3,000 for the cause each time) I am absolutely thrilled to have a fantastic team this time. I put the call out on Twitter and several people have stepped up to help. Even though it’s still stressful to coordinate an event for 250 people, I have fewer headaches and I’ve had so much help.

I knew Marc Smith from Amuse Consulting was a good event planner but we wouldn’t be having Twestival Vancouver at the CBC broadcast centre without him, nor would we have logistics in place, a food sponsor, and all the small but very important details that go into getting an event off the ground.

Melissa, Azita, Kim, and Sonia all contacted me through Twitter and we met one morning a few weeks ago to get this event underway. We were late to the game, due to a bit of a big event happening in Vancouver in February, but these ladies jumped right on their tasks. Gathering sponsorships, finding prizes, booking entertainment and being a great support system. Kirsten joined us a bit later but she’s already put together some great content about the cause to share at the event and secured the HootSuite Owl for an appearance. We also have a team of on-site volunteers that will help with registration, raffle tickets, silent auction and more.

Thanks to this team I am pleased to give the following update about Twestival Vancouver 2010.

Twestival Vancouver 2010
When: March 25th, 2010 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Where: CBC Vancouver – the new Audience Lounge (700 Hamilton at Georgia)
What: A fundraising party to support Concern Worldwide
Who: Everyone in Vancouver that uses Twitter

Sponsors
ING Direct, London Drugs, Amuse Consulting, Poppytalk

CBC Vancouver, Amuse Consulting, Hester Creek, Road 13, Tinhorn Creek, MichiSushi, Steaz, Nordica Photography

Prizes
We have a list of raffle prizes available from sponsors listed on Vancouver Twestival’s website in the sidebar. Raffle tickets will be on sale for these items. We also have thousands in silent auction prizes on which you can bid from LodenHotel, Nordica Photography, Pete Quily, Bocci Lights, Simone Richmond, Indicee, Masey, London Drugs, School of Mix, Doritos Viralocity, Vancouver Opera.

Flight Centre has also sponsored Twestivals in Canada, offering up a $200 travel voucher to all host cities.

Swag Bags
All attendees will get goodies handed out at the event. The HootSuite Owl will have some to hand out and we’ll also have bags from London Drugs that contain Twestival buttons, made by Six Cent Press, and passes to the UBC Botanical Gardens.

Entertainment
Smart Pics Photobooth, Rob Cottingham (Comedy), Mojave, and live DJs Patrick Lok & Jeremy Lim.

Tickets
Your $20 admission ticket goes directly to Concern Worldwide. With this admission we will supply you with a wine ticket, a swag bag, entertainment, wine, food, and hopefully a really great time. Tickets are currently on sale and we must sell these in advance so our venue has a list of participants ahead of time.

The Twestival Global team was also pleased to announce a sponsorship from Entrepreneurs Foundation & Austin Ventures Challenge Grant. For every dollar raised, this foundation will match it 100% up to $100,000. That means your $20 ticket = $40 for Concern Worldwide, thanks to them.

This isn’t an event purely for those in technology or social media – it’s for anyone and everyone who uses Twitter. It’s to show what a powerful communication tool it can be and that it can have a positive impact on the world and our communities. We hope you’ll join us by either purchasing a ticket, placing a donation, coming to hang out with us, or simply posting a link on Twitter. Thank you for your support.