Welcome to this month’s “Looking Ahead” feature for September 2021…
…where we take a look at the events, occasions, anniversaries and holidays that we can use as the foundation for event-driven marketing promotions in the coming month.
Of course, take due account of any pandemic restrictions that affect your business or customers…but there’s no need to hold back on your marketing.
Note that a number of events that are usually held at this time of year have been cancelled. That includes the famous Oktoberfest in Germany that usually starts in September.
It’s a time of a change of seasons. The September Equinox falls on September 22 at 19.21 UT (that’s 20.21 UK time…check for your particular location).
It’s Autumn in the north and Spring in the south…
…and these can be used as broad themes for a promotion.
Tied in with these, in the northern hemisphere it’s normally “Back to School” or “Back to Work” and the start of the run-in to the end of the year. In the current emergency situation, those ideas might need to be modified.
In the southern hemisphere, “Spring Time” or “Spring Cleaning” can be used as a theme.
Looking at some specific occasions…
September 1 – Letter Writing Day
September 2 – “V-J Day”, the official end of World War 2 in the Pacific (the Japanese government actually surrendered on August 15 but the official ceremony took place 2 weeks later)
September 3 – Skyscraper Day
September 4 – World Beard Day (first Saturday in September)
September 5 – International Day Of Charity
September 6 – Fight Procrastination Day (also “Read A Book Day”)
September 8 – International Day Of Literacy
September 8 – World Physical Therapy Day
September 8 – Star Trek Day
September 9 – Teddy Bear Day
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10 – Swap Ideas Day
September 11 – Patriot Day (USA)
September 13 – Programmers’ Day (256th day of the year)
September 13 – Roald Dahl Day (anniversary of the birth of acclaimed storyteller)
September 13 – Positive Thinking Day
September 13 – Anniversary of the birth of Milton S. Hershey (in 1857) – sometimes referred to as “International Chocolate Day”
September 15 – International Day Of Democracy
September 16 – World Ozone Day (International Day For The Preservation Of The Ozone Layer)
September 17 – Country Music Day
September 17 – Constitution Day (anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution in 1787)
September 17 – Tradesmen Day
September 18 – World Water Monitoring Day
September 18 – Respect Day
September 20 – International Day Of Peace (also World Gratitude Day)
September 21 – World Gratitude Day
September 22 – Business Women’s Day (anniversary of the founding of the American Business Women’s Association in 1949)
September 22 – Hobbit Day
September 22 – World Rhino Day
September 22 – September Equinox (19.21 UT, 20.21 BST)
September 23 – International Day of Sign Languages
September 25 – World Dream Day
September 25 – Psychotherapy Day
September 26 – European Day Of Languages
September 27 – World Tourism Day
September 28 – International Right to Know Day
September 29 – World Heart Day
September 30 – International Translation Day
September 30 – International Podcast Day
And in some places, September 19 is “Talk Like A Pirate Day”. Could be an opportunity for a little fun!
Looking at specific events in particular countries…
In the USA…
September 6 – Labor Day
September 9 – California Admission Day (California)
September 11 – Patriot Day
September 11 – First Responders Day (North Carolina)
September 11 – Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day
September 12 – National Grandparents Day
September 17 – Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
September 17 – National POW/MIA Recognition Day
September 18 – Air Force Birthday
September 18 – National Cleanup Day
September 22 – Emancipation Day (Ohio)
September 24 – Native American Day (California, Nevada)
September 24 – American Indian Heritage Day (Texas, Montana)
September 24 – Michigan Indian Day (Michigan)
September 26 – Gold Star Mother’s Day
September 27 – American Indian Day (Tennessee)
Canada…
September 6 – Labour Day
September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
UK…
No major public holidays this month. September 15 is “Battle of Britain Day”…this year is the 81st anniversary.
It’s also National Quiet Day on September 14.
Remember to keep an eye out for local events or occasions specific to your industry.
Australia…
September 1 marks the first day of spring, so scope for a “Spring Cleaning” theme.
September 1 – National Wattle Day / First Day Of Spring
September 3 – Australian National Flag Day
September 5 – Father’s Day
September 17 – Citizenship Day
September 17 – National Family Business Day
September 24 – AFL Grand Final Friday (Victoria)
September 25 – AFL Grand Final
September 27 – Queen’s Birthday (Western Australia)
…plus there’s the Spring Equinox (in the southern hemisphere) that falls on September 23 (at 05.21 AEST).
Remember to keep an eye out for local events and sporting occasions that are relevant to your market and can be part of your marketing calendar for September 2021.
Every success with your event-driven marketing in September 2021!