On the eve of Twestival 2011

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On the eve of Twestival 2011

23 March 2011 2 Comments

Tweeps in almost 200 cities around the world are busy today getting ready for Twestival 2011, the annual Twitter celebration and fundraiser. It’s the third year running for the iniative and this year each community is working to raise money and awareness for a local charity.

Twestival uses social media for social good by connecting communities offline on a single day to highlight a great cause and have a fun event. It is the largest global grassroots social media fundraising initiative, and this is the second Isle of Man Twestival with Manx children’s charity Wish Upon A Dream as the focus.

And, on the eve of the celebration Isle of Man Twestival is the world’s number one official local fundraiser in terms of money raised per capita, according to data published by Twestival Global.

The international organisation publishes a scoreboard comparing the fundraising successes of almost 200 participating cities, and the Isle of Man tops the list with having raised 8.5p per 1,000 residents or a running total of £2,248.42. The overall fundraising goal is £3,000.

Manx Telecom and Energy FM are primary sponsors of Isle of Man Twestival 2011 and dozens more Island business have contributed goods and services to the fundraising effort.

Organisors (of which I am one) have got a great day planned for tomorrow and areconfident of achieving the fundraising goal. Participants don’t have to be on Twitter to take part; it’ll be a fun night for everyone.

Twestival celebrations culminate tomorrow with two events. The main Twestival takes place 19.30, 24 March at Jaks Bar & Steakhouse, in Douglas. The evening’s entertainment includes three musical acts including singer songwriter Chris Flood, songstress Clara Barker and rockers Red.

There is live band karaoke where for a £5 donation anyone can take centre stage as the lead singer with the band. The event also includes a raffle, a premium draw for a night’s stay at the Sefton Hotel and Twitter wall.

A second event, the Twestival Social Media Clinic takes place earlier in the day. This free event is for any person or business interested in learning how to use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Foursquare or any other social media tools. Ambitions Recruitment, on Finch Road in Douglas, is hosting from 12 noon to 14.00. Drinks and nibbles will be served and donations to the the charity will be accepted.

People are invited to bid online for a selection of more than 20 auction items by visiting www.manxvoice.com/twestival-auctions, an Isle of Man website that is donating the facility to Twestival.

Everyone is invited to enter the premium draw by visiting www.isleofman.twestival.com and clicking on the ‘Get Tickets’ button. Entrants do not have to attend to win.