If you build it they will come. This famous line is from Field of Dreams, the "feel good" baseball movie that Kevin Kostner made in 1985. That phrase can now be applied to a growing trend that involves another American pastime; family reunions. Family reunion organizers everywhere are reporting that having a reunion website has had a dramatic effect on the attendance at the reunion. Seeing pictures and stories of past family "get togethers" seems to create a nostalgic mood that makes relatives look forward to the reunion.
Anyone planning a family reunion can benefit from a reunion website that can be made quickly and easily with no skills whatsoever using a "do it yourself" website builder. Some family reunion websites have special features that help the reunion organizer collect people's information, pictures, ticket payments as well as share event details, stories and more. The reunion organizer just fills in forms and clicks on buttons and their information is sent to one of many beautiful design templates. It is the best way to share all the event details, hotel information, and create a buzz that builds momentum right up to the reunion.
The organizer planning the family reunion is able to quickly and easily upload more than 200 pictures on their family reunion website. The user can create unique pages that suit their needs simply by filling in forms with their information. Some popular page titles include "our ancestors", "family tree", "news", "committee" and "past reunions". The "then and now" page allows the user to put a picture for each family member today and from years ago. There are also great features that entertain the family such as quizzes, polls, music, video, a guest book and much more.
The quiz page can test relatives knowledge of their family history and the poll page is a great way to get a consensus on what everyone wants to do for various family reunion activities. The family reunion organizer creates the questions and answers simply by filling information in forms and clicking submit. It is 100% dummy proof !
Putting all the details of events and map links on the family reunion website eliminates many phone calls to the organizer. The family reunion website acts like a communications hub for the reunion. The organizer can send email invitations with the planning tools and invitees can RSVP right on the website. This can save significant funds and make the job of planning the family reunion significantly easier.
The family reunion organizer can communicate all of the details regarding hotel accommodations, and things to do in the city where the family reunion is taking place by using the traveler's page. Some family reunion websites even allow guests to buy tickets to the reunion right on the website with a credit card. This is much easier for the organizer than chasing everyone for a personal check.
The guest book is a wonderful way for everyone to stay in touch before the reunion. When someone makes a guest book entry it becomes visible on the website (after being approved by the family reunion organizer) and then everyone can send emails to that person, without compromising their email address (it is sent through a blind email that camouflages the email address so it can not be spammed).
The organizer can also post all the pictures and stories on the website after the Family reunion, which allows relatives who could not come to the event to feel like they were part of the festivities and increase attendance at the next family reunion.