Need help planning next school fundraiser? Schaumburg PTO expo offers tips
Whether planning bake sales, field trips, selling spirit wear or fundraising for school enrichment programs, new playground equipment and technology purchases, suburban parent-teacher organizations can find the resources they need to be successful during the PTO Today Live Expo Tuesday in Schaumburg.
Hundreds of parent group leaders, school volunteers, and booster club members are expected to attend the annual event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, Exhibit Hall, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive.
"It's a niche audience. It's a one day vendor fair for school parent group leaders," said John Williams, national sales director for PTO Today, a for-profit group that conducts several such expos throughout the fall and spring across the country and offers support services to parent groups.
"We've been hosting events for more than 20 years," Williams said. "It's designed for school parent group volunteers to help them be more effective and efficient in that volunteer role to better serve the school community. PTOs and PTAs would use this opportunity to research programs and solutions for their respective schools."
Typically, the fall expos draw up to 450 attendees with higher participation in the spring, Williams said.
The event includes more than 50 exhibitors and informational sessions on various topics, including insurance coverage, how to get tax-exempt status, how to get more parents involved, using social media to boost fundraising, and tips for PTOs at low-income schools. A sponsor raffle drawing and flash giveaways of swag are part of the program.
Attendees also will have a chance to meet fundraising companies and playground equipment/software providers and be introduced to enrichment program ideas, such as in the arts and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, which they can implement in their schools.
Registration for Tuesday's expo is $5. For information about national or local sponsorship packages, contact jwilliams@ptotoday.com or call (800) 644-3561, ext. 201.
A second Chicago-area expo is planned for Feb. 4, at the Drury Lane Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace.