Convio Introduces Personal Events to Help Nonprofits Leverage Supporters Social Networks to Increase Engagement

Business Wire, July 18, 2007

New Product Allows Constituents to Host Events to Share Their Passion and Interest in Nonprofit Causes with Friends, Neighbors and Other Like-Minded Individuals

AUSTIN, Texas -- Convio, Inc. - a leading provider of software and services to help nonprofits to use the Internet strategically to take relationships to new levels - today announced Convio Personal Events, a comprehensive online application designed to help individual supporters or members of nonprofit organizations, associations, institutions of higher education or faith-based organizations host and market personal events around a cause, theme or campaign. Personal Events allows individuals to share their interest in an organization or cause with friends, family or more broadly to interested individuals in their area by using an organization's Web site to schedule, post and promote an event, manage RSVPs and create opportunities to donate. Because of the integration with Convio's online constituent relationship management (eCRM) system the beneficiary organization gains insight into the event and ability to control appropriate content while expanding house lists, building community and gaining insight into constituent loyalty.

"Our organization is comprised of individuals who are inspired by nature to work together to protect our communities and the planet by sharing the word and hosting events for friends, family and other individuals in their area," said Dave Simon, Director of Information Technology with Sierra Club. "Convio Personal Events will allow us to focus that inspiration, passion and enthusiasm toward consistent grassroots campaigns and events to reach new people, strengthen their commitment to and ownership of the environment, and help us reward and recognize our most committed supporters."

Convio Personal Events integrates with Convio's eCRM suite to boost an organization's effectiveness and efficiency in driving stronger online relationships with supporters, while leveraging the personal networks of their constituents to expand their base of support. As constituents host events, individuals who participate voluntarily join the nonprofits' online database so that the relationship can be developed over time. The product is designed to help grow and strengthen the constituent community by providing more opportunities for peer-to-peer networking, offering constituents a greater sense of involvement and ownership with the organization and more quickly advancing new relationships that come through an introduction from a trusted source.

"Organizations recognize how the Internet can help them empower constituents to tap into their personal networks to benefit a cause," said Tom Krackeler, Vice President, Product Management for Convio, Inc. "We understood the importance of local grassroots events, especially for advocacy and political organizations, but our client community really provided us great direction and helped us see the full spectrum of potential applications for Convio Personal Events."

Meeting the Event Logistics Challenge

Hosting events and event fundraising have long been staples of the nonprofit community's efforts to grow volunteerism and support. The cost of hosting events, logistics behind organizing an ever increasing number of events and the changing interests of supporters make event planning and execution more difficult than ever. Personal Events allows an organization to expand their event options by tapping into the interests of individuals in their organization that are willing to handle the logistics of hosting an event and with tools to help generate new supporters to help spread the word. Personal Events is designed to scale to large events that individual members or constituents are willing to plan and host. The nonprofit organization establishes the overall campaign and publishes types of activities to support the campaign, then the volunteer or constituent can host his or her specific event. In addition to creating campaigns, the organization can provide materials or other levels of support to help begin the philanthropic conversation with the new audience.

Deepening Constituent Relationships and Creativity

While many nonprofits may provide constituents with themes and campaigns such as movie nights, nature hikes, tail-gate parties, reading groups, or Bible studies to leverage the Personal Events application, the scalability and flexibility of the product creates opportunities for a wide variety of events and opportunities.

"Animal welfare advocates could host dog walks, environmental organizations might create nature hikes, a public radio show focused on jazz might have individuals host listening parties, still others might have birthday parties, reading groups, legislative call parties or movie nights," added Krackeler. "We look forward to seeing the exciting and creative ways that nonprofits and their constituents use this application to engage their constituents, build new relationships and take existing relationships to new levels."