I am back in the office after an unforgettable weekend doing the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington, DC. I was one of 2,200 participants from 39 states who walked 39.3 miles over two days to help raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer. It was an amazing experience.

At Fixation we are always thinking of new ways and ideas for our clients to create an event that sets them apart. With my professional hat on, I can think of some things the Avon Foundation for Women did right from an event experience standpoint:

• They have a great fundraising program powered by Convio that can be accessed online. It’s super easy to use.
• Once registered, every participant gets assigned a walking coordinator. She or he is your go-to person for any questions until the last day. And when I say anything I really mean anything.
• The event is organized by the staff but mainly run by volunteers. I cannot tell you how grateful I was to both groups during the walk for all their patience and kindness. I was in awe of how hard they all worked as a team to make the event for walkers a memorable experience.

The customer service aspect and user friendly tools were very important in making my event experience a great one. Something else just as important was the connection part. I gained new friends and fortified my relationship with old friends and my family. I am proud of what we accomplished this weekend. We raised $5 million and 10 local breast cancer organizations will receive grants. I am already thinking of ways to get involved next year.

Thanks to my fellow Fixators, friends and family, every donation and every action, big and small, has made a positive impact and an incredibly rewarding experience.