Kelly Crowley is Corporate & Events Fundraising Manager at Dublin Simon Community. She’s speaking at Brite Space Dublin this Friday, November 21st on “Growing Donations for your Events”

We sat down with Kelly this week to discover her favourite types of events and what advice she would give to fellow event organisers.

Whats the best event you ever attended?

I have always had an interest in design and enjoy events that show innovation and creativity in how they are presented. The recent launch of the Summer Rising Festival at IMMA was very visual and unique in how they used different types of materials to dress the event.

What was the first event you ever organised?

The Dublin Simon Community Coast to Coast Challenge, a 9 day walk from Dublin to Mayo. While this event was extremely tough to organise because of the logistics, I got first-hand experience in every aspect of event organising from the event itself, the after party, the PR and the budgeting.

Best advice you can give to anyone organising an event?

You have to believe that your event is going to be successful! If you don’t or if you allow fear to get in the way, how are you going to convince others to support and attend?!

If you have confidence in your event, you will overcome any challenges that come your way and believe me, they will!

Best advice you can give to twenty somethings who’re about to begin their careers?

Learn as much as you can and don’t confine yourself into one area. As you climb the career ladder, you need to know all aspects of fundraising and events. There will be areas that you are strong in and others that you don’t particularly like or enjoy but the main thing is that you gain as much knowledge in each.

What are your plans with Dublin Simon Community for the future?

I recently took over management of our events & community fundraising area as well as managing our corporate fundraising, my plans for 2015 are to develop this area as I believe there is great potential for growth with community volunteering and I am looking forward to working with my team in developing new, innovative and exciting events for Dublin Simon.

If you’d like to see Kelly Crowley speaking about ‘Growing Donations for your Events‘ at Brite Space Dublin on Friday, November 21st, register your free place now (they’re limited)!