Gathering event hosts: how to promote your event

Thank you for hosting an event at the Gathering, the largest voluntary sector event in the UK. Over two days on 4 and 5 February 2025, amazing people from the voluntary sector and beyond come together to enjoy a packed programme of over 70 events - yours is one of them! 

We are so excited that booking is now open for the Gathering and we want to help you to attract as many people as possible to your event.

Different ways to spread the word about your event

If you have a Marketing and Communications team at your organisation, share details of your event(s) at the Gathering with them and ask for their support with promotion. It might be helpful to share the suggested tweets, email and graphics we've provided (see below) with them. Ask them to tag SCVO in any social media posts about your event at the Gathering and to use #SCVOGathering

If you don't have a Marketing and Communications team at your organisation, there's still lots you can do to promote your event:

• Think about who the target audience is for your event and how you're most likely to reach them- what media channels do they use?
• Use social media to reach your audience. You can use our suggested posts and imagery (below) or if you'd like to create your own posts, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Make your posts visual with graphics, images or video
2. Tell a story through your posts and make a human connection with your audience
3. Connect with others by tagging them in your posts and using the Gathering event hashtag #SCVOGathering
4. Get the audience involved and include a call to action in your post such as "book now", or "sign up now" along with a link to your event
5. Be positive! Encourage your audience to connect with your social media posts with positive language about this exciting opportunity to come together at the Gathering to connect with old friends and new to network, learn, inspire and be inspired!

• Engage with your networks, partners and sector friends and colleagues to help spread the word about your event. Perhaps you could send them an email to let them know about your event. We've included an email template that you might find useful further down the page
• Add details about your event and the Gathering to your website and to any events listings that you usually take part in. Include a link to both your event page and the Gathering programme of events page

Social media posts

Here are some suggested posts to promote your specific event at the Gathering:

• #SCVOGathering announcement! We’re delighted to host an event at the Gathering 2025. Join us and SCVO on 4 and 5 February @eicc. Book your free places now: https://scvo.scot/the-gathering/events 
• Book your free places at SCVO's the Gathering on 4 & 5 February where {insert your social media handle} will be hosting an event. More info and book now: https://scvo.scot/the-gathering/events #SCVOGathering 
• We’re a proud #SCVOGathering event host! Learn more about our event at SCVO's the Gathering and book your free places now: {insert your event link}
• We'll be hosting an event at the #SCVOGathering on 4 & 5 February when the voluntary sector will come together to enjoy a packed programme of over 70 workshops, seminars, and training sessions. Have you booked your place? {insert your event link}
• We’re a proud #SCVOGathering event host. Book your place at our event and build your personalised SCVO Gathering programme here: https://scvo.scot/the-gathering/events  

Email template

If you'd like to, you're welcome to adapt this short email to suit your event and your intended audience:

Hello {insert recipient first name},

This year the Gathering, hosted by SCVO is back at the EICC in Edinburgh on 4 and 5 February. We're proud to be a Gathering event host and we'd like to invite you to join our event {insert event name and link to event page} in-person on {insert date} February at {insert time}.

At our event, we'll be talking about {insert brief event description}. Our event, like all events at the Gathering, is free to attend and places are limited so please book your place now to secure your spot {insert link to your event page}. We'd love to see you there!

The Gathering is a fantastic opportunity for Scotland's voluntary sector to come together to network and connect and to enjoy a packed programme of over 70 free workshops, seminars, training sessions, and an exhibition too. You can find out all about the Gathering here.

We hope to see you at our event at the Gathering. If you've any questions about our event, please get in touch {insert contact details or link to your event page}. If you'd like to know more about the Gathering, please contact the Gathering team at SCVO.

Many thanks,

{insert your name here}.

Social media graphics

Please feel free to download and use these graphics to support your event promotion on social media. Please don't crop or stretch any of the images so that they remain looking their best.

Video

Contacts

For questions specific to the Gathering, email: thegathering@scvo.scot 

Find SCVO on social media and use #SCVOGathering:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scvo/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCVO1939/

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/scvotweet