NICKI ELLIS
Nominated by Bea Brasel, WQPT
Special Events & Volunteer Coordinator
Nicki started out as a volunteer intern three years ago and continues to volunteer after graduating. She has volunteered for the station in various capacities.
This year, WQPT presented a new event called Imagination Station, a fundraising event that was free to the public. It included three events: 1) VIP Event, 2) Character Breakfast and 3) Imagination Station Main Event with an attendance of over 2,000 and raising over $40,000. Nicki was asked to be on the planning committee and she quickly assumed the role as Character Chair. She was responsible for helping to secure ten different PBS characters and find all the actors and handlers that each PBS charracter required. This also included working on contracts and logistics.
Nicki quickly turned to social media to find her volunteers for the characters and also helped the other committees find volunteers for their areas. Not only did Nicki find volunteers but she also secured sponsorships for different stations. She convinced organizations to financially support the event and bring their employees to volunteer. When it was time to open up tickets to the public, Nicki plastered Facebook with promotion about the event. With the power of social media and Nicki's contacts, WQPT "sold out" tickets within 36 hours. She didn't stop there . . . when tickets were sold out, she encouraged families to become a Kids Club member so that they could attend the VIP event. Because ofher advocacy, WQPT Kids Club membership increased 117%.
After the event, Nicki continues to post on social media and lets all her friends know how much fun the event was and what they can do to make sure they are informed through e-newsletters for next year's event. She encourages them to become members so that they receive up-to-date information on all events and happenings at WQPT. Proof of Nicki's advocacy was documented as we reviewed our post event survey results of how people heard about the event. 15% said ads, 50% said Family and Friends and 35% said Facebook in which many named Nicki personally in their comments.
Any time you premiere a new event or initiative, you need a champion advocating for you both financially and with volunteers. That's exactly what Nicki did and the result spelled SUCCESS! For that reason, WQPT nominates Nicki for this prestigious award.
View the video of the award presentation for NICKI ELLIS.
Nominated by Bea Brasel, WQPT
Special Events & Volunteer Coordinator
Nicki started out as a volunteer intern three years ago and continues to volunteer after graduating. She has volunteered for the station in various capacities.
This year, WQPT presented a new event called Imagination Station, a fundraising event that was free to the public. It included three events: 1) VIP Event, 2) Character Breakfast and 3) Imagination Station Main Event with an attendance of over 2,000 and raising over $40,000. Nicki was asked to be on the planning committee and she quickly assumed the role as Character Chair. She was responsible for helping to secure ten different PBS characters and find all the actors and handlers that each PBS charracter required. This also included working on contracts and logistics.
Nicki quickly turned to social media to find her volunteers for the characters and also helped the other committees find volunteers for their areas. Not only did Nicki find volunteers but she also secured sponsorships for different stations. She convinced organizations to financially support the event and bring their employees to volunteer. When it was time to open up tickets to the public, Nicki plastered Facebook with promotion about the event. With the power of social media and Nicki's contacts, WQPT "sold out" tickets within 36 hours. She didn't stop there . . . when tickets were sold out, she encouraged families to become a Kids Club member so that they could attend the VIP event. Because ofher advocacy, WQPT Kids Club membership increased 117%.
After the event, Nicki continues to post on social media and lets all her friends know how much fun the event was and what they can do to make sure they are informed through e-newsletters for next year's event. She encourages them to become members so that they receive up-to-date information on all events and happenings at WQPT. Proof of Nicki's advocacy was documented as we reviewed our post event survey results of how people heard about the event. 15% said ads, 50% said Family and Friends and 35% said Facebook in which many named Nicki personally in their comments.
Any time you premiere a new event or initiative, you need a champion advocating for you both financially and with volunteers. That's exactly what Nicki did and the result spelled SUCCESS! For that reason, WQPT nominates Nicki for this prestigious award.
View the video of the award presentation for NICKI ELLIS.