Events are becoming increasingly important fundraisers and friendraisers for gardens of all sizes. This session will cover the nuts and bolts of creating a new event from the perspectives of three very different gardens—a large garden with a history of blockbuster exhibits and events, a small but well-established University arboretum with free admission, and an emerging municipal botanical garden. The gardens will focus on building on past successes to ensure a big hit, leveraging resources and relationships to build awareness, and creating a mission-centric exhibit to drive new audiences.