PCMA's Network for the Needy: Helping Others Through Meetings and Conventions

Founded in 1990, Network for the Needy (NFTN) started a simple initiative to donate leftover food from conventions. NFTN has now grown into an organization-wide educational program for industry professionals to become educated in how to give back to their communities through meetings. Sponsored by a generous grant from GES Exposition Services, NFTN is available throughout the United States and Canada at no cost and involves a wide range of programs and activities.

Food Donation
Donation of excess food from banquets and events is a simple way to help those in need. Some meetings facilities make this accommodation automatically. For those that do not, visit America's Second Harvest or The Canadian Association of Food Banks to find food banks in the area of the meeting. Certain questions should be asked about completion of forms, picking up and/or dropping off donations and ensuring the quality of the donations. The meetings facility should also be informed of any food donations.

Vendor Product Donation
Through a partnership with Gifts In Kind International, the world's leading charity in the field of product philanthropy, PCMA members can donate exhibit products and samples to charities. Through this partnership PCMA members are also able to donate products outside of the trade show venue.

This program allows PCMA members holding events in the United States or Canada to easily donate trade show products to Gifts In Kind International at the close of their events. Gifts In Kind handles all aspects of product donation, from communicating with exhibitors to researching the recipient charity and facilitating the distribution of the donated items. In addition, donors can avoid the cost of reshipping exhibit products and may qualify for a significant tax deduction.

For more information on Gifts In Kind International's donation program, contact Virginia Royal, Gifts In Kind International, at (703) 836-2121 or vroyal@giftsinkind.org.

Community Service Projects
Including community service projects at a meeting is a great team building and networking opportunity for attendees. Potential projects can be off-site builds or clean up efforts, service drives, fundraising networking events and sponsorships.

Chapter community service projects are another great method of team building and networking. PCMA can document Chapter community service projects on this Web page to create a convenient venue for idea exchange.

If your Chapter has a project you want posted, fill out the Chapter Community Service Project Template and send it to scorradino@pcma.org.

Annual Meeting Activities
At each Annual Meeting, there are two opportunities for members to participate in community service. Party With a Purpose (PWAP) is a fundraising event for members to have a good time, network and give back all at the same time! Through PWAP funds are raised for a charitable organization in the area of the Annual Meeting, PCMA Education Foundation and PCMA's Network for the Needy (NFTN). The second opportunity is Hospitality Helping Hands (HHH), a two-day "hands on" community service project that takes place in city of the Annual Meeting.

Why use the Network for the Needy to plan convention volunteerism?
Why NOT? The benefits are limitless, but here are just a few of the reasons why you should:

• Create goodwill - give your attendees the opportunity to help others in need and demonstrate that your organization CARES about the community.
• Foster teamwork among your attendees by working together on a project for those in need.
• Develop positive community relations by publicizing your volunteer efforts to your members and customers.
• Help to demonstrate the value of the meetings and trade show industry to the community at large.

For more information on Network for the Needy, community service projects or how to start a project for your meeting or convention, please contact Sara Hackney at shackney@pcma.org or 312.423.7251.