Each year, the Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast reminds us of the power of shared purpose and the importance of nurturing the spiritual and civic values that strengthen our communities. For the past 15 years, Riggs Creative Group (RCG) has played a pivotal role in supporting this event’s marketing efforts and now has two team members, Steven Riggs and Kelly Van Fossen, serving on the Gloucester County Prayer Committee. At RCG, we’ve seen how thoughtful strategy can transform a single morning of inspiration into a movement that continues long after the plates are cleared.
So how do you keep an event like this engaging year-round? It comes down to connection: building anticipation, capturing moments in real time, and extending the conversation once the final prayer is said. Let’s discuss a few of the strategies and tactics we use to maintain and grow our audience.
Social Media: Keeping the Momentum Alive
Engagement begins long before the first cup of coffee is poured. Year-round social media activity helps keep our audience connected to the Gloucester County Prayer Committee’s mission and message. About six months before the event, heavy promotion begins. For the Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast, that means using digital platforms strategically to build anticipation and highlight the heart behind the event.
Here are a few strategies to help your social content shine in the months leading up to the event:
- Recognize your sponsors: Feature sponsors in individual shoutouts that include their logos, business highlights, and a thank-you message for their support.
- Introduce your speaker: Create a “Get to Know” post series featuring your keynote, with insights about his or her background, message, and what attendees can look forward to hearing.
- Spotlight past events: Share highlights from previous breakfasts to capture the event’s sense of community and continuity.
- Use your history: Showcase the event’s legacy and success over the years to reinforce its reputation and impact—the proof is in the pudding.
During the event, social media helps extend the spirit of unity beyond the room. QR codes at each table connect guests directly to online platforms, while a designated event hashtag allows attendees to share photos, quotes, and reflections in one shared space.
Afterward, the conversation continues with photos, short clips, and a video highlight reel to remind attendees and potential future guests of the impact that happens when community leaders come together in faith and purpose.
Event Website and Communications
A strong event website serves as a reliable hub for both information and inspiration. It should feature everything guests need — from registration links to photo galleries from past events — and highlight the mission behind the gathering. For the Gloucester County Prayer Committee, the organization’s website also helps keep the tradition alive throughout the year by celebrating past speakers, sharing local prayer initiatives, and posting updates about the committee’s ongoing efforts.
Email marketing and press outreach play vital roles in expanding the annual event’s reach. We’ve found that monthly e-blasts work well early on, increasing to two per month four months out and up to three in the final month before the event. Each blast includes key event updates, ticket reminders, sponsor highlights, and stories that capture the heart of why the gathering matters. In addition, distributing a news release and seeking publication through community and business associations help strengthen relationships and visibility.
Planning Ahead
The most successful events are those planned well in advance. Giving your team time to secure venues, confirm speakers, and coordinate details allows for greater creativity and flexibility. The Gloucester County Prayer Committee aims to have the next year’s keynote speaker confirmed by the time of the current event. That way, the organization secures its attendees’ attention and enthusiasm at their peak to build early excitement for what’s ahead.
Complimentary Events
While the Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast is a once-a-year gathering, one meaningful way to keep momentum going is through smaller offshoot events that nurture the same sense of community, purpose, and spiritual connection. The Gloucester County Prayer Committee created the Women’s Wednesday Eve gatherings with this goal in mind. Born out of the annual Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast, this monthly meeting engages women in their life’s calling, both personally and professionally, while growing spiritually alongside others who share similar values.
The gatherings strengthen sisterhood, support outreach to those in need, and prioritize prayer for one another and for leaders at the local, regional, and national levels. It is a way to extend the heart of the Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast throughout the year and continue building relationships that uplift our communities.
The Gloucester County Prayer Committee’s next Women’s Wednesday Eve gathering will be held on December 10, and host Theresa DiVietro and facilitator Claire Riggs look forward to welcoming both returning participants and first-time guests who are seeking connection, purpose, and spiritual encouragement. Interested? You can register here.
Join Us This Year
The 2025 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 7 to 9 a.m. at The Sapphire Grand, 1849 Cooper Street in Deptford, NJ. Tickets are $35 per person, $280 for a table of eight, or $350 for a table of ten.
This year’s keynote speaker, John Ruga, brings a powerful story of faith, innovation, and community leadership. His journey, from growing Northeast Precast into one of the largest operations in its industry to partnering with Mike Trout and Tiger Woods on the upcoming Trout National – The Reserve, embodies the kind of vision and values we hope to celebrate at every Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast.
As always, the event will bring together local officials, business leaders, and community members for a morning of connection, encouragement, and reflection on a shared responsibility to lead with faith and integrity. Proceeds help support local nonprofits that strengthen our communities year-round.
We invite you to be part of this inspiring tradition. To learn more or reserve your seat, visit gcmayorsprayercommittee.org.
Author: Jeanelle Johnson
Date: November 21, 2025
