National Pathology Week is sponsored by

How to plan an event

Remember, planning an event for National Pathology Week is much more fun with other people. The more minds that are involved, the more ideas you will generate and the clearer the message will be.

 

1. What are your aims?

Before deciding what to do, it is a good idea to consider what you hope to achieve for:                                     
  • yourself
  • your organisation
  • the organisers
  • the participants
  • pathology
2. Who will you target?

You must identify your target audience so you can develop your event. Think about your aims. Which audiences would be best?
  • Patients – families, children, adults
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Medical students
  • Secondary School students
  • Primary School students
3. What will you do?

You will need to consider the subject matter, theme and format of your event. What type of event would interest your target audience? You can find ideas and inspiration almost anywhere, eg: 
  • Topical issues in the media (newspapers, magazines, radio, television, internet)
  • Brainstorming with friends and colleagues
  • Pathology can be explored through many formats, ranging from hands-on activities to tours of laboratories. Some popular formats for events include the following elements: hands-on activities, public discussions, demonstrations
    exhibitions or display, talks or presentations.
4. Where will it take place?

National Pathology Week events will happen all over the UK. Choose a venue that suits your audience and the type of event you plan to run. Events can take place in a number of places:
  • laboratories
  • meeting rooms
  • via the internet
  • schools
  • shopping centres
  • lecture theatres
  • anywhere else you can think of!
Make sure you check the suitability of the venue well in advance, and ensure you know where the facilities, toilets and exits are in case of an emergency. Also make sure that audio/visual equipment is working well before your event.
 
5. What about publicity? - Download a press release here

Letting people know about your event is the only way to attract an audience. The success of your event is largely down to your publicity campaign. How you market the event will depend on the event itself and whom you wish to attract.  Please see the brief gude below and you should also contact your Communications Department for advice.  We have drafted a press release that you can tailor to reflect your own event which you can download here.
 
The College will also help with marketing materials such as posters and flyers and give aways such as pencils.
How to publicise your event  - A short guide
  • Decide on your event and your audience – for inspiration go to the events template page
  • Contact your Trust Communications Department to let them know about your event 
  • Register your event on the National Pathology Website by September 14th
  • Create posters and flyers about your event
  • Market your event
  • Send out invitations
  • Inviting the media to your event. See our Working with the Media guide.
  • Identify who is going to speak to the media.
  • On the day – Take photos but make sure you get consent. (download the consent form here)
  • Don't forget evaluation, ideally both before and after the event.
  • After the event - Thank all those involved and those attending the event

You can download a more comprehensive guide on publicising your event here

Working with the Media – Top Tips
  • Talk to your Trust’s Communications Department  
  • Draw up your media mailing list   
  • Send out press invite – 4-6 weeks in advance 
  • Issue press release – 1-2 weeks in advance
     Keep message clear and short
     Have snappy quotes and statistics 
  • A picture paints a thousand words - book a photographer or take photos think about consent for photography, particularly with children say thank you/network  
  • On the day decide on who is going to talk to the press
  • Follow up with a “thank you” to any journalist who attended/covered the event
You can download a more comprehensive guide on working with the media here.
 
6. Acknowledgements

Please acknowledge National Pathology Week on all promotional material, including media releases. Simply use the National Pathology Week logo (downloadable here) or mention that your event is part of National Pathology Week.
 
7. Was it successful?

Audience feedback will help determine whether your event was successful and assist in future planning. Develop an evaluation form that will provide you with information such as:
  • How many people attended your event?
  • How did they find out about your event?
  • Did they enjoy it?
  • How your event could be improved in the future?
We will provide guidance and questionnaires in organiser's packs.
 
8. Further sources of information

Please contact samantha.jayaram@rcpath.org or ruth.semple@rcpath.org if you'd like any more information.