Organizing armies of volunteers

People who gather for trade shows, conventions and events aren’t only interested in making contacts and brushing
up on professional skills. They increasingly want to do good deeds in the places where they meet.

The trend toward “give-back programs” in convention cities like Indianapolis has become so
pronounced that a new business has popped up to handle the logistics.

Kelly Young, who owns public
relations firm Baise Communications LLC, started an ancillary business this month called Project Vol-IN-teer
LLC to help groups meeting in Indianapolis with the logistics.

Give-backs are fun, but they also
amount to internal marketing for the groups. There’s nothing quite like helping children or beautifying
a neighborhood to make members feel good about their organizations.

Most religious groups that meet here already
immerse themselves in give-backs. Perhaps they’ll be looking for more ideas.

The National FFA Organization,
which brings its national convention back to Indianapolis beginning Oct. 21, is another example. The FFA, which might bring
more than 50,000 to the area, plans to build three Habitat for Humanity houses, among its many projects.

The ICVA
has no formal contract with Young. However, it plans to throw business her way.

“There’s a lot of opportunity”
for Young, said Susie Townsend, ICVA’s vice president for convention services. “It’s very intriguing.”

What do you think?