As an open-source festival, we’ll do everything we can to bring people together to make fantastic events and connections. However, this is a 100% volunteer event. We’ll provide all the tools, experiences, training sessions and networks possible to make things work smoothly, but each SPARK is dependent on its Spark Team to make it happen. Here’s our quick list of what it’s going to take:
1. Create your Organization
• Get all contact details of everyone in your group
• Decide on a regular meeting time. We strongly recommend meeting at least once every two weeks. Please publish your meeting schedule and location so newcomers can join in.
• Choose a fun place and time that suits the whole group and is quiet enough to get some things done.
2. Offer your Vision
• Work with your group to create an overall vision for your event.
• Create a Spark Component Plan / Making your “call for submissions”
• Decide on how you will judge these submissions BEFORE you receive them.
3. Reach out to the creative community
• We all have our own networks but creating a Call for Submissions gives your spark credibility and allows you to meet new people.
4. Create a budget
• Not only do we want to connect creative talent together, but we also want to make this viable.
• We are not dong this as a non-profit. Appeal to sponsors who see your event as good advertising
• See what you can get as in-kind as well as cash for your expenses.
• Despite providing a basic infrastructure, there are no general funds to go towards components.
• When in doubt, simplify your event. We’re not doing this to take financial risks!
5. Plan your logistics.
• Design your event and make a list of your needs - lights, security, water, etc.
• Plan your day-by-day schedule
• Create a list of volunteer tasks and when they would need to be done.
6. Promote your success
• Boast about your event with a press release
• Publish the names of each partcipant in advance of he event to get good press coverage.
7. Enjoy yourself!
• We’re doing this to connect our creative community, not be event planners
• Keep track of your team and celebrate!