Most stations share a common checklist for a strong event. The idea has to be appealing to a broad audience spectrum, the potential for revenue has to be significant, staff effort moderate, and if fun is involved, that's never a bad thing. DEI heard about some work St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU was doing hosting an annual Trivia Night. Phil Donato, the station's Marketing, Events, & Outreach Manager gave us the lowdown.

Paige Smith brought her flute. John Sutton brought his percussion set. Susan Allain brought a truckload. When DEI invited station staff to donate gently used instruments to help Tipitinas Foundation in their instrument drive, we hoped to generate interest. We did. But what we didn't expect was a major outreach effort on the part of member station KEDM that resulted in a truckload of instruments for New Orleans musicians, and a wealth of goodwill for the Monroe, LA station.