Step 1: Event Planning

  • Complete Program Planning Worksheet
  • Confirm and book the location
  • Is there a minimum and/or maximum on the number of participants for the event?
  • Are there fees for the event?
    • If yes, how are they being collected?
    • Check, cash, or credit?
  • Plan marketing. It is best to start marketing at least 6 weeks before the event. You can do save-the-date notices 6 or more months in advance for larger events that are planned out further (~1 year in advance).
  • Who is the best contact for the event? Make sure there is a name, number, and email on all marketing items for participants to reach out.

Step 2: Gather tools & assets

  • Create event registration method (if needed)
    • Events.unr.edu (preferred platform for free registrations)
    • Qualtrics (free registrations)
    • Microsoft Forms (free registrations)
    • Eventbrite (paid or free registrations)
    • Paper registration (paid or free registrations)
  • Collect past photos, maps, graphics, flyers, handouts, etc. from previous events for inspiration and to create new marketing materials
  • Create an agenda for the event (if applicable – can be helpful for event promotions)
  • Create marketing items – Use the College’s templates, found in the College’s brand toolkit (unr.edu/cabnr/brand):
    • Flyer
    • Postcards/invite
    • Rack card
    • Brochure
  • Reserve /purchase branded event supplies, as appropriate (e.g., branded tablecloth/table runners, pop-ups, display walls, tents, name badges, business cards, branded apparel). These items should use current branding (e.g., no Cooperative, UNCE, etc.). There shouldn’t be any standalone Master Gardener branding on these items; Master Gardener branding should always be accompanied by Extension branding.

Step 3: Market your event

  • Create a calendar event on the University’s calendar, events.unr.edu
  • Reach out to the College’s communications team for help with creating a media release
  • Create an event on the Master Gardener Facebook Page, being sure to add the appropriate Extension County Facebook page as a co-host.
  • Schedule at least three social media posts (or once per week until the event) on the Master Gardener Facebook Page and share those posts to the relevant Extension County Facebook Page.
  • Share with others in your office to help cross-promote events in newsletters, social media pages,
    in-person events with handouts, etc.
  • Leave flyers or handouts at the place where your event will be held (if applicable)
  • Provide event partners with digital and printed flyers and handouts so they can share in-person and on socials
  • EXTRA: Submit the event to all free online community calendars (see this Extension publication for a list of calendars).

Use the link below to download the checklist in PDF format.

 
Brinkerhoff, K. 2026, Marketing Checklist for Extension Master Gardener, University of Nevada, Reno Extension

Extension Associated Contacts

Katelyn Brinkerhoff
Katelyn Brinkerhoff
 

Also of Interest:

 
What Role Can Water Markets Play in Adapting to Climate Change? Evidence from Two River Basins in the Western United States
A
 Koebele, E., Singletary, L., Hockaday, S., & Ormerod, K.J. 2021, In John C. Duerk (Ed.) Environmental Philosophy, Politics, and Policy. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Cómo sobrellevar el COVID-19: October 14, 2020
Cómo sobrellevar el COVID-19: October 14 Tema de la semana: Investigación de mercado en línea.
 Lucas Thomas 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Coping with COVID19 Town Hall Oct. 14, 2020
Coping with COVID19 Town Hall Oct. 14, 2020 Market Research and Online Navigation
 Lucas Thomas 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Developing a Local Food Industry in Nevada
There is unfulfilled demand for local food in Nevada. This demand can be filled by addressing a series of gaps in knowledge and logistics that prevent a larger scale of production and supply of local food and by educating the market that the products they desire can be grown in t...
 Gatzke, H. 2012, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Consumer Preferences for Meat Attributes
Recent food industry trends have presented consumers with the opportunity to demand more from the products they purchase. In the market for food products, this means that consumers are able to purchase products that do more than serve their basic need for nutrition.
 Cowee, M., Curtis, K., Harris, T., and Lewis, S. 2008, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-08-11
 

Associated Programs

mg holding tomato plant

Master Gardeners of Douglas County

Learn about Extension's Master Gardener Program in Douglas County, Nevada.

Master Gardeners at tabling event

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

gathering herbs

Master Gardeners of Clark County

Serving Clark, Lincoln and Southern Nye counties gardening needs.