The countdown is on... tips and tricks for your ESTC event!

With under a month to go, the countdown is on for the Eat So They Can 2011 weekend, 15-16 October. We're starting to hear about the events people have planned for this year and they sound awesome! We're hoping 2011 is going to be even bigger and better than last year.

Hopefully, you have signed up and started planning your Eat So They Can event. If you're stuck, check out our past events gallery for inspiration. There are plenty of ideas and photos to help you get creative and come up with the perfect Eat So They Can fundraiser.

This week, we would like to share with you a few tips and tricks that we've picked up along the way to help your event run smoothly and make sure it is a success!

Here's a sneak peak at the 2011 Party Packs.

1. Use your party pack. If you registered your address to receive a party pack, this is now on it's way to you! In it, you will find some information, stickers, business cards and our 2011 DVD. We recommend making the most of all these resources - but our number 1 tip is to watch the DVD! Our stars, Lydia and Eliza, along with Rachel Dickinson (the mastermind behind the DVD creation), did an awesome job at putting together some short clips about Eat So They Can. Before your event, watch the DVD and decide which sections you may like to show your guests, so that they come away from your event a little bit more informed about the work that we do and where their funds are going. If you would like to receive a party pack but haven't been in contact, please send us an email and we will get one on its way to you. 
2. Volunteers. Running an event by yourself can seem like hard work - even if it is incredibly worthwhile! Our second tip is to find some friends and family who support what you are doing and ask them if they'd like to spare a couple of hours to help you. It could be painting signs, cooking food, or even cleaning up afterwards. Having some keen volunteers around definitely makes the whole process more fun.
3. Set a goal. Decide how much you would like raise for Eat So They Can this year so yuo have something to work towards. Your online host profile has a great feature to help you keep track of how you progressing towards your goal. Don't forget that everyone who raises over $500 automatically goes in our draw to win an all-expenses paid spot on one of our distributions trips to Kenya or Peru in 2012. You can read more about this amazing prize here.
4. Social media. Let everyone know about your event, and about Eat So They Can, by sending out emails to people who may be interested in attending, or mentioning it on facebook or twitter. 
5. Businesses. If you are after some additional donations to top up your total raised, try contacting local businesses who may be willing to make a donation, match the amount you have raised or donate goods or services for a raffle - all in exchange for a little positive publicity!
6. Contact us. Our team is here to help you with your event, so if you need resources or a little positive encouragement, let us know. You can send us an email and we will get in contact.

They're our top six tips for hosting an Eat So They Can event this year. We're really looking forward to the Eat So They Can weekend and seeing all the different events around the world come to life.

- Fiona and the Eat So They Can team