Our Brave New World: Harnessing the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Revolution

Technology is driving many challenges and accelerating the pace of change for arts organizations. Into this comes artificial intelligence, which is a game-changer for how business is conducted and promises to transform how art is made, how arts groups are run, and how we connect with audiences. 

AI brings with it the need for a new mindset for using technology, and along with it the ability to identify the opportunities as well as the threats. The digital revolution taught us that those who insist on fighting the battles of the past get crushed in the face of technologies that make new ways possible. This session will give an overview of where technology (particularly AI) is right now from artistic, business, and policy perspectives. We’ll look at how you can capitalize on a technology landscape that is rapidly evolving from platform-based social media into something quite new. And we’ll outline strategies for determining how technologies like AI can work best for your organization. 

The Board's Role in Fundraising

Building Bonds Through Strategic Donor Relations

Digital Presence 101 & 102: Make Your Event Data Work For You

As an event organizer, you spend a lot of time entering event information on your website and on events listings. But is this information fully optimized for discovery via search engines? Can it be reused across digital platforms? In the age of AI, could a machine “recommend” your events to arts-goers?

In this session, you will learn how structured data, entity SEO and other discoverability tools can boost your digital presence. You will also learn how sector-owned infrastructures such as the Artsdata knowledge graph may have already lent your organization a helping hand. By putting a few key recommendations into practice, you can harness the power of these technologies to reach new audiences!

While this session builds upon previous “digital presence” sessions delivered by CAPACOA, there will be useful advice both for participants who are brand new to the topic and those with more advanced digital literacy.

Because this session will include some "hands-on" activities, it is recommended to bring a laptop.

Cut the Noise: Better Campaign Results with Donor Personas

Are your fundraising campaigns falling short of expectations? Do you struggle to connect with donors in a meaningful way? It's time to cut through the noise and address your donors' real pain points. In this eye-opening session, you'll discover how to harness the power of donor personas to supercharge your campaign results and solve common fundraising challenges.

You'll learn:

• Why traditional segmentation isn't enough in today's crowded fundraising landscape
• How to create detailed, actionable donor personas that go beyond demographics
• Techniques for uncovering and addressing your donors' true pain points and motivations
• Practical strategies for tailoring your messaging and outreach to each persona's specific needs
• Tools to help you easily create your own donor personas and better target your fundraising strategies to them
• Real-world examples of organizations that have transformed their results by addressing donor pain points through personas

Through interactive exercises and case studies, you'll leave this session equipped with the knowledge and tools to create compelling campaigns that resonate with your donors' deepest concerns and aspirations. Whether you're new to persona development or looking to refine your existing approach, this session will help you cut through the noise, address key pain points, and achieve better campaign results.

Join this session and take the first step towards more effective, personalized campaigns that truly speak to your donors' needs and drive real impact for your cause.

Evolve Your Emails: High-Performing Campaigns for Overloaded Inboxes

Have your email campaigns plateaued? Not getting the opens and clicks you once did? Are your messages buried in busy inboxes? Get actionable email tips from Amy Karlin, Digital Marketing Strategist at the National Arts Centre. 

Part of the NAC team since 2016, Amy has long worked with its robust and engaged email community. But recent technology shifts within the organization meant it was time to evolve and refocus: Amy guided the NAC through procurement and implementation of a new email platform, and a refreshed approach to email design and content. These efforts contributed to a 35% jump email list growth year-over-year and a 50% open rate, the highest global email KPIs the NAC has ever attained.

In this session Amy will share actionable tips for high-performing email campaigns, including:

• Designing user-centred templates
• Making data-driven decisions
• Strenthening opens and clicks
• Reducing unsubscribes
• Refining data hygiene and deliverability

Beyond the Scroll: Use Boosted Posts, Dark Social, and Paid Sponsorships for Exponential Advantage