I. What is an event?

Sounds like a bit of an odd question, yes? Well for me, The Social Set™, and savvy fundraisers, knowing the answers to these questions is critical. These answers are also the motivation for this blog, my career, my dreams and aspirations and my identity. They form the framework for how I evaluate an event as an experience. And also for determining how valuable information about an event would be to "the interesting and interested" to have and to share. 


WHAT IS AN "EVENT"?

An "Event" is a GATHERING of people that is almost always all of the following:

Participatory  Which means, YOU are one of the main features. Think about it, when you attend a real event it is the other people in the room that are among the most interesting parts of the experience. And you are interesting to them as well. 

Charitable This would require that there is some non-profit, foundation or other organization that benefits from the sale of tickets, auction items and what have you.
One-Off  Meaning, "non-recurring", unlike regularly recurring events. "Ladies Night" is NOT an event. Annual events like galas and other big "to-dos" are legitimate, however. So too are "monthly" events (especially as part of a seasonal series of events) as that frequency isn't "regular" over a sustained period of time. Because of this, good events are generally hard to find and hard to keep up with.
Discovery  Would refer to the common "garnering and sharing of knowledge, experience and network" by the attendees especially as it applies to the theme, subject or cause served by an event. Be it an art, business or cuisine event, the guests are there to learn from others, teach others what they know and meet other people that are interested in that theme, subject or cause.
Scarse  In the sense that only a relatively small number of people can participate in event. This makes them distinct from other, larger, more public and more "mass media" gatherings. And more "exclusive" by nature, without being "private".
Inclusive   In the sense that it is not "private", like a wedding. Anyone can attend provided they (1) know about it and (2) buy a ticket.  
A Media  An event delivers a message, evokes an emotion or (at the very least) an opportunity to change something, if only for a moment. 

ANALOGY: Both beer and wine are beverages. Both contain alcohol. But they are very different and enjoyed in different ways. In this sense, events are very different from other gatherings. 


Events are distinct from other kinds of gatherings. And information about events is harder to discover, share and benefit from than other kinds of gatherings, which are ubiquitous. So much so, that there are just too many to be able to follow, even if that's all you do, all day long. They are also more rewarding (or rewarding in important and distinct ways) from other kinds of gatherings. 

WHAT EVENTS ARE NOT
Events are NEVER...

Mass Media  Meaning, they are not "everywhere". They are sub-cultural. They are not "spectacles". An event is one kind of gathering and there are many kinds of gatherings listed below. All are valid experiences. But none are "events", as I define them.

Spectacles  Would be massive gatherings like The Indy 500 or The Superbowl.  These are HUGE gatherings (that often include a competition) that EVERYONE knows about. They are common and information about them is ubiquitous and easy to find. 
Performances  These are things like plays, concerts or even films. They recur every night (for a period of time, at least) in the same place or they are ongoing "tours" that you can anticipate or plan on easily. 

Promotions  Or "specials" designed to get you to buy something (usually at a discount) or for a reward (like a prize). 

Games  Like contests of physical or mental strength. You watch them from the stands, you are not on the field. You are not participating in the action, per se. 
Exclusive  In the sense that they are totally and completely private. A wedding is private and therefore, not an event. Weddings are "invite only" and you can't "buy in". Events might be exclusive in the sense that an invitation is difficult to come by or the cost of entry is high or the means of being welcome to participate are limited. 

Attractions  Which are things that never or rarely change. Like museum exhibits that last 8 months or any other "semi-permanent" or "permanent" of a natural or man made nature. I see attractions listed on "event web sites" all the time. I creates noise and makes it even harder to find the true events where you meet and mix with "the natives" and others who share your interest in something. Going to the Museum of Natural History is not an event. But going to a cocktail party with 500 other people in the Milstein Hall of the Ocean Life where Billy Joel is doing an acoustic set to benefit Oceana is an event.
Exhibitions  Which tend to go on for a long time, like weeks or months. The Opening Night or a "one-off" gathering with the artist or curator of a exhibition, well, that is different. That IS an event because it is "non-recurring" or "one-off".

They are not always "parties" (consider legitimate business events).
They are not always "fun", but more often than not they are.

WHY THIS MATTERS

This matters for several reasons:

Noise  Distinguishing an event from a "promotion" or any other "non-event" is the first step in discovering, participating in and advocating for events. You've got to know the difference so you can find the real events and then share them with the appropriate people. 
News  Because events are "one-off" they are harder to find and follow than other forms of gatherings or recreation that compete for the same attention and dollars in the marketplace. Events are therefore more "newsworthy" (and viral) than other gatherings or attractions. They "come and go", unlike restaurants or museums. Or, they pass quickly (like, in one evening) so they not around for long. Knowing where the event is (and sharing it) brings value to peoples lives. True connectors, mavens and influencers LOVE to share news about events. It verifies their expertise, passion and contribution to society. 
Significance  The Social Set™ is genuinely interested in making a difference. And they do, quite often, with events. Each member of it has their own interests, causes, passions and tactics but at the end of the day, they attend and advocate for events because events make good things happen for charities and our communities. They also bring people with common interests together in a way that encourages people to introduce themselves to one another and ask interesting questions.


In closing, events are where human beings go to be, well, human. They allow us to learn, share, contribute and grow in very important, genuine and humanizing ways.