Art, meet Science. Science, meet Art.

As the 2018 AFP DC co-chair for the Bridge to Integrated Marketing and Fundraising Conference – a.k.a. Bridge Conference – I’ve been super busy with other AFP/DC members and our colleagues from the Direct Marketing Association of Washington (DMAW) planning a great conference to take place July 31- August 2 at the Gaylord National Hotel! I want to share what’s new and interesting for this year.

Our theme – The Art & Science of Fundraising & Marketing – shines a light on the unique partnership between traditional fundraisers and their direct marketing counterparts. Bridging art and science is fundamental to what we all do each day, whether drafting a case for support, finding creative ways to engage our board members, writing direct mail copy, analyzing our mailing results, or creating cross-channel tactics.

Bridge 2018 will bring you the best of right-brain and left-brain ideas, with 12 dynamic tracks hosting more than 80 sessions, plus three inspiring and informative keynote sessions. While we know you come for the phenomenal educational sessions, the keynotes aren’t to be missed! Let me share a little bit about each one.

If you’re an NPR geek like me, you’ll love Shankar Vedantam, host of the Hidden Brain podcast, who will be speaking about the Hidden Brain & Generosity to examine how psychology and neuroscience – a.k.a. the “hidden brain” – can teach organizations about eliciting generosity. He’ll also explore insights into the nature of effective communication and look at how miscommunication can affect the performance of organizations.

In our second keynote, Geoffrey Peters of the Moore DM Group and Bernard Ross of The Management Centre will help us look inside our supporters’ brains through their talk, Neuromarketing, Behavioral Marketing, and Decision Science for Nonprofits. They’ll share how to motivate, persuade and “get through” to prospective donors, advocates, members and the public – factors we know are key to success both in fundraising and advocacy!

Finally, at our closing general session and reception, Allison Massari, an international keynote speaker, executive coach, and award-winning visual artist, will present The Art of Courage & Grace. Having built four thriving businesses from the ground up, Allison forged her path to success and will share her personal journey. As the survivor of two near fatal car crashes, one where she suffered severe burns on over 50% of her body, she has become a moving voice for the power of perseverance. Most importantly, Allison understands the importance of successful fundraising, as she established the Roger Pepper Adventure Camp for Teen Burn Survivors, a nonprofit named after the courageous man who pulled her from her blazing car.

With 80-plus sessions, our phenomenal keynotes, the Solutions Showcase (where you can find the answers to some of your most vexing problems), receptions,lunches and other great activities – we have a lot planned for you at Bridge! If you are one of our loyalists who attend Bridge regularly, I assure you the 2018 conference won’t disappoint! If you are planning to attend for the first time, make sure you plan to join us for coffee on the first morning of the full conference (Wed., August 1st) and ask the pros for some recommendations on which sessions to attend.

If you are still in the process of convincing someone that you need to attend, let us give you a hand! Check out our Persuasion Kit online – it should be an immense help to you!

Or just give me a holler. I’m always happy to chat about the value of Bridge!

See you there,
Joan

**As previously featured by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Washington D.C. Metro Area Chapter