1 EVENT MANAGEMENT FOR TEMPLES JATEEN RAJPUT Director – Creative Services January 28, 2006

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3 What is event Management “ The use of unconventional media / method involving people witnessing a happening within a capsule of time, for the purpose of communication of a message.”

4 Some Temple Facts.. About 60,000 to 150,000 devotees visit the Tirupati temple complex every day, that’s almost as much as one of the largest concerts in the world… if not more. The Devasthanam collects more than $ 2 million in donations… that’s more than the revenue collected from the single largest concert held last year for Live Aid Africa.

5 On the table….we have A very large captive audience A single focused objective… being one with GOD A frenetic mindset and mental frame that could be easily moulded to accept any form of communication which is in synchronicity with his mental make- up

6 God helps those who help themselves In a country like India where political will influences citizen welfare and largely charters the national development. It is very important to look at creating an awareness platform that will lead to a more informed and more awake citizen. What Tilak started in Pre Independence era is a classic reference point to the power of events in bringing people together. Which brings in the fact that temple precincts are the perfect platform to create effective communications that could bring about larger community welfare

7 In God’s Backyard…. There are so many local issues in an around each temple area that could be focussed through selective events… be it sanitation, healthcare, community living, social issues, environment….the list is endless If each sermon… each pooja…could be preceded by an edutainment session highlighting an issue, then the desired take out that can be achieved would be phenomenal

8 What Kind of Events…… Some Case Studies… –The 1 st International Jain Entrepreneurs and Businessmen’s Seminar organised for the Jain Community –Innoculation drive with Sai Baba’s Palkhi procession in Thane

9 What Kind of Events…… Some Ideas….. –A cultural festival featuring local talent using theatre, music and fine arts as platform to create public awareness which also be trangressed into a fund raiser for a chosen cause or charity –An event calendar that works similar to a loyalty programme where devotees are regularly exposed to topical events, exhibitions, seminars.

10 What should temples do ? Before you jump headlong into events or for that matter any communication…. THINK… Who you are ? What you want to be ?

11 What should temples do ? How do you want to be seen by your devotees? Treat your temple as a brand. See how your brand can influence the users to make them see more value in you… Use the strong image to create better perceptions… if you don’t have an image… then leverage the communication bandwagon to build an image… Help communities discover the GOD… beyond the temple…

12 What should Temples Do? Do a plan… a plan driven by objectives Objectives that are defined by your take outs. Use the community and involve them in the plan in as many forms as possible… one way dialogue is allways a sermon… two way interaction is a communication

13 What should Temples Do? Use events to monitor feedback and create self help groups. These could lead to larger localised events that can take the image further. Use events to promote local talent, create funds for community development and more importantly increase traffic which will boost the local economy.

14 What to look for in an Event Manager Their understanding of your brand Their scientific approach to your event objectives Quality of research and studied analysis of impact that you want to create with an event Strategy and Implementation Detail The ë factor… packaging and styling of your event communication

15 What to look for in an Event Manager Ability to understand commercials and provide solutions to leverage best economic scales to maximize profit for the temple Understanding of religious sentiments, policies and rituals that govern the temple and developing strategies that work within those constraints Developing a quality monitoring format that could be used to charter future implementation modules.

16 “ GOD ONLY HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES ”

17 Questions ? If you need more details you could me at

18 Thank you.. & may GOD Bless you all….