From the Editor's Desk: Show Your Interest...or Events May Disappear

Event organizers absolutely hate to use this phrase: “Due to lack of interest…” Unfortunately, it’s one we may start hearing more often in Whitehall.

Our community is fortunate to have organizations, businesses, committees, and volunteers willing to put in the work to bring concerts, fundraisers, classes, festivals, dinners, performances, and other special events to town. What people often don’t see are the weeks—or sometimes months—of work happening behind the scenes before an event ever takes place.

Venues have to be secured. Entertainment has to be booked. Contracts are signed. Food and supplies are ordered. Advertising is created. Volunteers are recruited. Insurance may be required. Schedules are coordinated. Money is often committed long before anyone walks through the door.

And then organizers wait.

They wait for the ticket sales.

They wait for the RSVPs.

They wait for some indication that people actually plan to attend.

This is where we, as a community, need to do a little better. If you plan to attend an event, buy your ticket. If the event asks for an RSVP, RSVP. And please don’t wait until the day of the event.

We understand why people wait. Plans change. Kids get sick. Work schedules shift. Montana weather has a personality all its own. Sometimes it simply feels easier to decide at the last minute.

But from an organizer’s perspective, 100 people saying, “That sounds fun!” on Facebook is very different from 100 people purchasing tickets.

Twenty people telling you at the grocery store that they’re planning to come doesn’t help much when only six people have actually RSVP’d.

Organizers have to make decisions based on numbers they can see—not on people who might show up.

If an event requires a certain number of attendees to cover the cost of entertainment, food, staffing, or other expenses, organizers usually have a deadline to decide whether to move forward. If only a handful of tickets have sold by that deadline, canceling or postponing may be the only responsible choice.

Then, inevitably, comes the response:

“Oh no! I was going to go!”

I believe you. But, as the organizer, I had no way of knowing that. Every year, through Gold Junction Presents, the Star Theatre, and multiple other outlets, I put on at least a dozen events. EVERY EVENT I wonder if anyone will attend, whether it’s a new event or the tried-and-true haunted house.

When I work with other promoters, they want reassurance that their event will be attended. And every time, I try to explain that we are kind of a wait-until-the-last-minute community. I frequently hear that residents want more things to do locally. We want concerts. We want family activities. We want entertainment. We want classes, festivals, and special events. We want reasons to stay in town instead of driving to Butte, Bozeman, or Helena.

But bringing those opportunities to Whitehall requires more than wanting them. We have to participate in them.

That doesn’t mean everyone has to attend every event. Of course not. People have different interests, budgets, and schedules. But when something interests you, and you intend to attend, your advance ticket purchase or RSVP matters more than you may realize.

It tells organizers, “Yes. There is an audience for this.” It lets them confidently order enough food, hire the entertainer, schedule staff, buy supplies, and keep moving forward. And perhaps most importantly, it encourages them to do it again.

Successful events lead to more events. Strong attendance gives organizers confidence to try something new, bring back something popular or invest in something bigger next time. Poor advance response sends exactly the opposite message.

So here is my friendly challenge to Whitehall:

• When you see an event you want to attend, don’t just click “Interested.”

• Don’t just tell your friend you’re thinking about going.

• Don’t assume you can grab a ticket at the door.

• Buy the ticket. Make the reservation. Send the RSVP.

Because sometimes the difference between “See you Saturday!” and “Due to lack of interest, this event has been canceled” is simply whether the people who planned to come actually let the organizers know.

If we want events in Whitehall, we have to show organizers that Whitehall wants them. And sometimes, showing up starts long before the doors open!

Here are a few upcoming events to get your tickets for NOW!

• SEPTEMBER 17th: Bingo, Bites & Bids for Jane Bowman. Register at https://bit.ly/4hupyTK

SEPTEMBER 18th: Montana High School Rodeo Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. Tickets at http://www.westernlegacycenter.com/event-details/1st-annual-montana-high-school-rodeo-hall-of-fame-induction-dinner

• SEPTEMBER 19th: Montana Farmers' Union Presents: Jason DeShaw's Serenity in the Storm. Free concert at the Star Theatre! RSVP at http://www.montanafarmersunion.com/serenity-in-the-storm-whitehall

• SEPTEMBER 26th: Angel Wings Montana Foundation BIG HAIR, BIG HEARTS 80s Gala Fundraiser. Tickets at http://www.angelwingsmontana.org/event-details/big-hair-big-hearts-80s-fundraiser.

• OCTOBER: Screams Come True Haunted House. Tickets at http://www.screamscometruemt.com

• OCTOBER 7th: JLDC's Pizza & Progress Member Social. RSVP to samantha.yearry@jldcmt.com

• OCTOBER 13th: MSU Extension's Composting 201: Build a Johnson-Su Bioreactor with Us! RSVP by 10/6 to 406-287-3282 or madisonjefferson2@montana.edu

• NOVEMBER 7th: Rocky Mountain Rumble at Whitehall Community Center. Ticket link coming soon!