How we delivered the AKU International Patient Workshop 2024, uniting patients, advancing research, and maximising charity resources
Client
AKU
Location
Liverpool
When
November 2024
Attendees
100+
About the event
At McDonnell Marketing, we specialise in delivering expert event management and strategic solutions for unique and impactful events. The AKU Society approached us to deliver their International Patient Workshop 2024, and we delivered – by creating a meaningful experience for patients with Alkaptonuria (AKU) from around the world while optimising their limited budget.
The AKU International Patient Workshop 2024 took place on 13-14 November in Liverpool, UK. This two-day event brought together over 100 attendees, including patients, researchers, scientists, and healthcare professionals, to share knowledge, experiences, and hope for those living with this rare genetic condition.
Results That Matter
The AKU International Patient Workshop 2024 was a resounding success:
Brought together over 100 attendees from across the globe, fostering a strong international AKU community.
Delivered a comprehensive programme of research updates, interactive workshops, and wellness activities.
Received overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients, researchers, and healthcare professionals.
Provided the AKU Society with valuable content to support future funding and awareness initiatives.
Achieved significant cost savings through strategic negotiations and budget management.
Our role: comprehensive event management
McDonnell Marketing provided end-to-end support, from initial planning to post-event content creation. Here’s how we made it happen:
Strategic Planning & Coordination
- Managed global registrations, ensuring smooth participation for patients from diverse locations.
- Developed a comprehensive event programme, balancing informative presentations, interactive workshops, and wellness activities.
- Coordinated all suppliers, venue arrangements, speakers, and exhibitors to create a cohesive event experience.
Budget Management & Cost Optimisation
- Successfully negotiated the most competitive rates for all event services, maximising the charity’s limited resources.
- Implemented strategic cost-saving measures without compromising the event’s quality or attendee experience.
- Came in under budget, allowing the AKU Society to allocate additional funds to their critical patient support and research initiatives.
Tailored Guest Experience
- Accommodation Management: Arranged and managed hotel bookings for over 100 attendees, ensuring comfortable stays for all participants.
- Catering Considerations: Worked closely with chefs to design menus suitable for AKU patients, accommodating specific dietary needs.
- Wellness Integration: Incorporated activities to promote holistic well-being for attendees.
Event Execution & Management
- Provided on-site event management, ensuring smooth operations throughout the two-day workshop.
- Organised a special dinner on the first evening, fostering networking and community building among attendees.
- Designed on-brand collaterals and event merchandise, enhancing the attendee experience while achieving cost savings.
Post-Event Impact
- Created engaging content, including vox pops, for the AKU Society to use in post-event campaigns and funding applications.
- Developed materials to showcase the event’s success and importance for AKU patients worldwide.
What they had to say
“Natalie and her team were a pleasure to work with. Her attention to detail and supportive nature ensured the event ran smoothly, providing a safe, well-organised environment for our Alkaptonuria patients to learn and engage. Thanks to Natalie managing everything, I could focus on interacting with patients, sponsors, and sessions. Highly recommend working with her.”
Hannah Dwyer – Head of Patient Support and Welfare
AKU Society
“Working with Natalie and her team is fantastic. They ran our international workshop for more than 100 patients and family members with the rare genetic disease Alkaptonuria. Natalie organised everything for us and ran the workshop perfectly. All our participants and sponsors were delighted. I would thoroughly recommend working with her.”
Nick Sireau – Board Chair and CEO
AKU Society
Why They Chose us
The AKU Society selected us for our:
- Expertise: Proven track record in managing complex, multi-faceted events.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous planning and execution, especially crucial for events involving patients with specific needs.
- Holistic Approach: Ability to balance educational content with wellness activities and community building.
- Budget Optimisation: Demonstrated skill in maximising value while minimising costs for charity events.
We Deliver More Than Just Events
For the AKU International Patient Workshop 2024, we acted as:
- Global Coordinators: Managing international attendees and creating a truly worldwide event.
- Patient Advocates: Ensuring every aspect of the event catered to the unique needs of AKU patients.
- Strategic Partners: Providing post-event support to maximise the long-term impact of the workshop.
- Budget Management: Carefully managing resources to deliver an exceptional event within budget constraints.
Our Collaborative Approach
- Flexibility: Adapting our strategies to meet the specific requirements of a rare disease patient group.
- Empathy: Working closely with the AKU Society to understand and address the unique challenges faced by AKU patients.
- Innovation: Incorporating elements to enhance the overall attendee experience while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
- Transparency: Maintaining clear communication about budget allocations and financial decisions throughout the planning process.
By combining our event management expertise with a deep understanding of the AKU community’s needs, we delivered an impactful workshop that came under budget, received excellent feedback from all patients, speakers and sponsors – and set a strong foundation and framework for future events