What She Does: Supervises the strategic direction and management of the foundation's fund development programs and event planning.
Career Path: Flannery has more than 20 years of experience in the event planning industry. She began her career in San Francisco at the Pacific CoastDock Exchange. She moved to Florida in 1994 and has worked in the nonprofit industry for more than 10 years.
Favorite Hobbies/Activities: Golf, scuba diving, traveling, reading.
What is Deliver the Dream (DTD)?
Pat Moran, chairman of JM Family Enterprises Inc., founded DTD in 2002 as a nonprofit respite and retreat program to serve families facing serious illness or crisis. It offers retreat weekends, which combine recreational activitieswith therapeutic workshops, peer-to-peer discussion groups, and more, all at no cost to participants.
What are the foundation's biggest events?
It has three major annual events: the Denim & Diamonds gala for more than 700 guests in Boca Raton; the Jeans & Dreams gala for more than 400 guests in Jacksonville; and the JM Lexus Charity Golf Event for more than 200 golfers and guests in Boca Raton. Flannery also organizes C.E.O. breakfasts and luncheons, recruitment meetings, and the retreat programs for DTD's beneficiaries.
How long have you worked at the foundation?
"I came on board this January, right before the Denim & Diamonds gala, which was being held a month later. At the same time, the foundation was planning Jeans & Dreams-for the first time ever. It was a challenge to get up to speed with what the event would encompass."
What is the concept behind the two major galas?
Unlike traditional galas, guests at both the Denim & Diamonds and Jeans & Dreams are encouraged to pair their favorite denim with dressier attire. Moran wanted to create an elegant yet comfortable atmosphere, where guests could have a great time while raising money for the foundation. In keeping with the laid-back environment, the events both feature comedic and dance entertainment by well-known performers that have included Jack Mayberry, Michael Finney, and the Pure Energy Powerhouse Band.
What are your goals for the foundation's events?
To create events that will retain previous sponsors, attract new sponsors, and provide the most effective experience for potential sponsors, while raising funds for DTD.
Working at a nonprofit means you're extremely conscious of coming in under budget. What tips can you offer other planners?
The proposed net revenue for each event must be a constant focus of the event's management team, with each member seeking to meet or exceed the proposed income and reduce the event's expenses. Denim & Diamonds and Jeans & Dreams allowed us to save money by using the same decor elements from the same company at both events. It really saved on the bottom line. It's also important to build relationships in the community in order to get services underwritten or donated.
What is the favorite event you've planned for DTD?
"The Jeans & Dreams gala in Jacksonville was rewarding to create because I had such a short period of time to do it [because I had joined DTD only a month before the event]. In the end, the event raised $175,000, exceeding our budget goal by more than $15,000. We also knew the gala was a huge hit when guests danced for two hours after it officially concluded."
What have you learned from planning these events?
Less is okay. Whether it's cutting back on budget line items (such as decor and catering) or shortening the event agenda, [in the end] our guests, sponsors, and board members are just as happy with a tighter event program.
What are your goals and plans for future events?
"My immediate plans are to recruit additional corporate leaders to join our existing committees for each of the events. Next year, I am planning to add a fishing tournament as part of DTD's development activities."
—Vanessa Goyanes
Posted 08.03.06
Career Path: Flannery has more than 20 years of experience in the event planning industry. She began her career in San Francisco at the Pacific CoastDock Exchange. She moved to Florida in 1994 and has worked in the nonprofit industry for more than 10 years.
Favorite Hobbies/Activities: Golf, scuba diving, traveling, reading.
What is Deliver the Dream (DTD)?
Pat Moran, chairman of JM Family Enterprises Inc., founded DTD in 2002 as a nonprofit respite and retreat program to serve families facing serious illness or crisis. It offers retreat weekends, which combine recreational activitieswith therapeutic workshops, peer-to-peer discussion groups, and more, all at no cost to participants.
What are the foundation's biggest events?
It has three major annual events: the Denim & Diamonds gala for more than 700 guests in Boca Raton; the Jeans & Dreams gala for more than 400 guests in Jacksonville; and the JM Lexus Charity Golf Event for more than 200 golfers and guests in Boca Raton. Flannery also organizes C.E.O. breakfasts and luncheons, recruitment meetings, and the retreat programs for DTD's beneficiaries.
How long have you worked at the foundation?
"I came on board this January, right before the Denim & Diamonds gala, which was being held a month later. At the same time, the foundation was planning Jeans & Dreams-for the first time ever. It was a challenge to get up to speed with what the event would encompass."
What is the concept behind the two major galas?
Unlike traditional galas, guests at both the Denim & Diamonds and Jeans & Dreams are encouraged to pair their favorite denim with dressier attire. Moran wanted to create an elegant yet comfortable atmosphere, where guests could have a great time while raising money for the foundation. In keeping with the laid-back environment, the events both feature comedic and dance entertainment by well-known performers that have included Jack Mayberry, Michael Finney, and the Pure Energy Powerhouse Band.
What are your goals for the foundation's events?
To create events that will retain previous sponsors, attract new sponsors, and provide the most effective experience for potential sponsors, while raising funds for DTD.
Working at a nonprofit means you're extremely conscious of coming in under budget. What tips can you offer other planners?
The proposed net revenue for each event must be a constant focus of the event's management team, with each member seeking to meet or exceed the proposed income and reduce the event's expenses. Denim & Diamonds and Jeans & Dreams allowed us to save money by using the same decor elements from the same company at both events. It really saved on the bottom line. It's also important to build relationships in the community in order to get services underwritten or donated.
What is the favorite event you've planned for DTD?
"The Jeans & Dreams gala in Jacksonville was rewarding to create because I had such a short period of time to do it [because I had joined DTD only a month before the event]. In the end, the event raised $175,000, exceeding our budget goal by more than $15,000. We also knew the gala was a huge hit when guests danced for two hours after it officially concluded."
What have you learned from planning these events?
Less is okay. Whether it's cutting back on budget line items (such as decor and catering) or shortening the event agenda, [in the end] our guests, sponsors, and board members are just as happy with a tighter event program.
What are your goals and plans for future events?
"My immediate plans are to recruit additional corporate leaders to join our existing committees for each of the events. Next year, I am planning to add a fishing tournament as part of DTD's development activities."
—Vanessa Goyanes
Posted 08.03.06
