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If you’re going to do an event — a fundraiser, a launch, an employee appreciation event –make it remarkable and memorable. Like Seth Godin says with his Purple Cow.

This means be creative, do something a little bit different. Make it unique. You have the opportunity to transport participants, guests, users, outside of their daily lives.

I recall a McMaster Engineering Society fundraiser from my time at Mac. Someone donated a broken down car to the cause. The MES stripped all the glass, and interior from the car, and offered passers-by the opportunity to smack the car with a sledge hammer, for the low cost of one dollar. Two dollars bought you three swings.

In my lifetime, I have had only one chance to swing a sledge at a car (without risk of repercussion!) and it was that day. I’d say it was two dollars well spent.

The Telus Mobility launch event for the Samsung Instinct was held today. Participants had the chance to launch old cell phones into a recycling bin with a giant slingshot. Those who hit the target got a scratch card and a shot at winning accessories and phones; even an Instinct.

When are you ever going to get to launch a cell phone with a giant slingshot?

I’m now involved in planning a holiday party for the staff at Touchstone Youth Centre. The budget is less than a shoestring, but I really want to make sure the party is memorable. I want it to show thanks for the thankless work that the amazing staff at Touchstone do for the youth who rely on them.

I’d love suggestions as to how to put on a memorable event for 30-40 people on a very limited budget (~$10/person).