For the Inaugural fundraising event for the Fraser Riverkeepers, a big splash was required! The event included a sustainably sourced dinner, live musical performances, guest speakers, event aligned décor, invitation, online registration and website. The main goal of the event was to generate awareness for the protection of British Columbia’s key waterways and fundraise. To do this, rather than a standard gala dinner, Parléview brought several creative and engaging sponsorship and fundraising concepts to life.

Pre-event Parléview created and publicized a nationwide art submission contest. Submissions were sourced from professional artists and students that would tell the story of the artists first experience or impression of a Canadian waterway (named a ‘Watermark’). With the open call competition, artists from across Canada competed to have their work chosen, which would win them a spot on display at the event live auction.

A secondary program Parléview designed drew on community involvement. We engaged local middle and post secondary schools to have their students submit drawings of their ‘Watermark’. Two custom created art installations were produced; one of a glass waterfall arch under which guests entered the gallery and the other of an illuminated map of Canadian waterways for guests to mark their first memories of water on.

Parléview’s role in the gala was overall event management, strategic advisor to the Foundation, and development of their sponsorship strategy.