The Biggest Meetup of 2024

Event Overview

In 2024, I played a pivotal role in organizing Yes Toronto’s largest annual meetup at Trinity Bellwoods Park. The event brought together over 150 attendees from around the globe for a full day of connection, engagement, and immersive activities. This initiative aimed to foster a sense of belonging, particularly for newcomers to Canada and tourists, creating a space for people to form meaningful relationships and feel part of a vibrant community.

Pre-Event Preparation

To ensure the event’s success, I undertook multiple responsibilities:

  • Social Media and Guerrilla Promotion:
    • Designed and executed a comprehensive social media strategy, creating Instagram reels and leveraging platform analytics to maximize reach and engagement.
    • Conducted on-ground promotions, directly engaging with the public to spread awareness about the community and the event.
  • Sponsorship Acquisition:
    • Proactively reached out to small businesses, securing 10 sponsorships. Contributions included essential materials such as water access, tubs for the ice bath activity, and discounted or free food for participants.
  • Event Logistics:
    • Coordinated all logistics, ensuring the smooth execution of activities. This included securing permits, arranging necessary equipment, and finalizing the event schedule.

Day-of Execution

On the day of the event, I wore multiple hats:

  • Master of Ceremonies:
    • Acted as the MC, leading most activities and ensuring active participation while maintaining a lively and engaging atmosphere.
  • Activity Management:
    • Oversaw a diverse range of activities, including:
      • Icebreaker games and deep-connection exercises.
      • Sports events like spikeball tournaments and an obstacle course race.
      • Challenges encouraging attendees to interact with strangers beyond their immediate circles.
      • Unique experiences like ice baths, breathwork sessions, and a mini music concert.
  • Community Engagement:
    • Personally engaged with attendees, ensuring they felt welcomed and included. This was particularly impactful for those new to the country, providing them with a supportive introduction to the community.
  • Media Coverage:
    • Captured the event through professional-grade photos and videos, later used for post-event promotions.

Results and Impact

The event exceeded expectations, yielding measurable outcomes:

  • Community Growth:
    • Membership base increased by 40% following the event.
  • Enhanced Engagement:
    • Social media engagement saw a 65% uptick, driven by new members following and tagging our community in posts.
  • Participant Feedback:
    • Attendees highlighted it as one of their best experiences in Canada. Newcomers particularly valued the opportunity to forge friendships and integrate into a dynamic community.

Key Takeaways

The success of this event underscores the importance of meticulous planning, strategic promotion, and genuine community engagement. From securing sponsorships to managing on-the-ground execution, this experience demonstrated my ability to create immersive, impactful events that leave lasting impressions—a skill set I’m eager to bring to experiential marketing initiatives on a larger scale.