The power of banners

Yesterday, August 9, Ciel group and its partners organised the 7^th edition of the Ferney Trail at ‘La Vallée de Ferney’. The Ferney Trail is an annual mountain race open to everyone as from 6 years old to 80 years old. Maluti PR and Communications was part of the organisation team. Maluti took care of all the press relations (local and international). Media releases were sent to the press and on the day of the event, results were given to radio stations instantaneously. Maluti also updated the Facebook page of the Ferney Trail with relevant posts. On the day of the event, Maluti ensured everyone had what they needed and helped with the organisation.

Unfortunately, I joined Maluti only a week before the event and I could not help much with the preparation. I did not do much during the trail too; I only took some pictures for the facebook page but I did learn much. Sitting in front of your computer and writing an assignment on creating, organising and managing an event is very much different from participating as the organisation team to a real event. I was amazed when I reached La Vallée de Ferney and saw so many participants and sponsors all around. At that moment, I thought of how much hard work there was behind the scenes. I reached there at around 7am and I spent the whole day observing. The first thing that caught my attention was the presence of so many banners.

At that moment, I put myself in the skin of the organisations and asked myself if it was really worth it to display so many banners! Then all over the day, I kept on seeing the reasons why banners are displayed for events. The first thing that comes into the mind of the common people when seeing a banner of a particular organisation at an event is that it is kind from that particular company to help organising the event and consequently help raise funds for NGOs. The objectives of that particular organisation was not only to help but also create a good image of itself. By only displaying some banners with the organisation’s name on it, the organisation showed everyone who was at the Ferney Trail that it helped in some way to organise the event and is consequently perceived as a good organisation ready to help others.

Another thing that was not noticed but confirmed is that however cautious you can be, no event can be without flaws. We were often told in class that when organising an event we should be as much careful as we could but we should also keep in mind that nothing could be perfect and we should consequently always expect some issues and be prepared to solve them.