Celebrating Success: The 2nd Annual Bonfire Gathering
SAVE THE DATE: 3rd Annual Bonfire Gathering will be January 25, 2025
The 2nd Annual Bonfire Gathering, held at the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, VA, was a resounding success. With 249 attendees from our veteran and currently assigned select SOF community, the event was a unique opportunity for members to reconnect with old friends and forge new connections. We were honored to host Gold Star family members and provide an exclusive experience with the museum's exhibits, high-quality food, and an open bar.
A Special Event for Our Community
The purpose of the Bonfire Gathering is to offer our community an event to look forward to each year. It's a time to reconnect, celebrate, and strengthen the bonds that unite us. This year's event truly met these goals, as evidenced by the overwhelming positive feedback from attendees.
Key Highlights
Attendance: We had 249 attended, with a notable 101 more attendees than our first Bonfire in October 2023.
Positive Feedback: According to our survey, 100% of respondents are likely or very likely to attend next year’s event, and 92% would highly recommend it to others in our community. Many attendees joined this year after hearing great things about last year’s event, demonstrating the momentum we hoped to build.
Looking Ahead: Planning for 2025
The 3rd Annual Bonfire Gathering will be on January 25th, more details coming soon. Please save the date! This time of year change aims to avoid conflicts with training events, graduations, and family vacations, ensuring better attendance and engagement. We are working hard to lock in a venue that offers the right balance of cost, location, and amenities.
What We Learned
Feedback from our attendee survey highlighted a few areas for improvement:
Location: While the National Museum of the United States Army was a fantastic venue, some attendees expressed a preference for an indoor/outdoor space with more seating. We are considering venues that can provide this ambiance while keeping costs reasonable. The center of mass of our population is in the NOVA area, so we will continue to host the event in this area for the foreseeable future.
Communication: Although communication was generally rated well, we plan to implement a text message-based communication platform for better attendance confirmation.
Food and Beverage: Some attendees felt that the food and beverage options could be expanded. We will strive to enhance the menu while balancing costs.
The Tradition Continues
As an organization, we are committed to making the Bonfire Gathering a signature event that continues to grow and evolve. We will continue to use detailed analysis and attendee feedback to improve member experience and cost-effectiveness. Our goal is to create an event that our community eagerly anticipates each year, providing a space to reconnect, celebrate, and support one another.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of the 2nd Annual Bonfire Gathering. We look forward to seeing you at the next event and continuing this wonderful tradition. Stay tuned for more details about the 3rd Annual Bonfire Gathering!