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Celebration Events

May 12, 2026

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NAMIWalks �Team Introductions

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What are NAMIWalks 10 Minute Trainings?

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Agenda

  • What is a Celebration Event?
  • All About Celebration Events
  • Celebration Event Resources
  • Recommended Resources
  • Q&A

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What is a

Celebration Event?

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What is a Celebration Event?

What is a Celebration Event?

A specific post-Walk gathering dedicated to celebrating your participants, sponsors, and volunteers for a successful Walk Season.

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Why are Celebration Events important?

Celebration Events will make your constituents feel appreciated, seen, and valued. It reinforces the impact of work you have made throughout your NAMIWalks season and continues to build community and relationships. Celebration Events are also a great time to remind encourage future participation and retention!

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All About

Celebration Events

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All About Celebration Events

When Should You Have Your Event?

Your Celebration Event should take place at least 4-6 weeks after your Walk.

  • Include details about the Celebration Event in your Thank You phone calls
  • Have your emcee mention event details in your ceremony script
  • Promote via social media

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All About Celebration Events

Who Should You Invite?

Anyone who is involved with your NAMIWalks event!

  • Individual Participants
  • Team Captains
  • Volunteers

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  • Company Teams
  • Walk Stars
  • Sponsors

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All About Celebration Events

Where Should You Host?

Somewhere fun and in a centralized location!

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  • Restaurant
  • Hotel
  • Your Walk Site!

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  • Museum
  • Community Park
  • Art Center

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Remember, every community and NAMIWalks event is different

make sure your event is fun and celebratory!

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All About Celebration Events

Celebrate Your Walkers

Hand out awards and make your walkers feel celebrated!

  • Top Fundraisers (Individuals, Teams)
  • Rookie of the Year
  • T-Shirt Contest
  • Social Media Award
  • Anniversary Award (longest walker)
  • Biggest Team

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All About Celebration Events

Making your Celebration Event Scalable

  • Pre-Record. Pre-Record your Celebration Event and post it on your NAMIWalks Website or your social media platforms to celebrate with your Walkers! You could also email it out to all of your constituents.

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  • Have a Separate Event for Segmented Groups. If you have the time, you can do celebration events just for your team captains, Walk Stars, etc. This way you can get to know them on an individual level. �
  • Live Streaming. For people who are unable to make your event, see if you can have a volunteer live stream the awards portion.

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Celebration Event Resources

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Celebration Event Toolkit �Guide on how to host your Celebration Event.

  • Includes step by step process on how to host a

successful Celebration Event

  • Shares who to invite, where and when to host,

how to promote your event,and resources

that are provided to set you up for success

  • In the Cultivation Events section of the WMRC

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Fillable Award Certificate

Customize a certificate for your award winners.

  • Make your winners feel valued by handing out

(or mailing) a certificate

  • For a special touch, put it in a frame!
  • In the Cultivation Events section of the WMRC

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Celebration Event Powerpoint

Customizable for your Event.

  • Includes agenda, award options, progress

toward your goals, and spotlights for

mission moments, sponsors and

volunteers

  • For an extra touch include door prizes and

event day photos!

  • In the Cultivation Events section of

the WMRC

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Sample Celebration Event Captions

Promote your event on Social Media!

  • Includes captions for multiple social media platforms
  • Use graphics provided by NAMI National linked in the

toolkit

  • In the Cultivation Events section of the WMRC

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Recommended Resources

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Recommended Resources

RECENTLY RELEASED!

Talk the Walk Guidebook

Prioritizing intentional interactions with sponsors, walk stars, team captains, and key supporters at your NAMIWalks event

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Located in the Event Day section on the Walk Manager Resource Center

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Recommended Resources

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Team Captain Promotion Graphics & Messaging Templates

Drive early registration and fundraising amongst team captains for fall events with these resources

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Located in the Team Captain Promotion section on the Walk Manager Resource Center

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Recommended Resources

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2026 Trainings

Find all recordings for 2026 season office hours, trainings, app coaching calls, and a library of on-demand topic trainings on the Walk Manager Resource Center.

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