Trade Show Executive magazine’s Post

Event Pros: I am curious if you have tried Small Group/VIP Sessions with Speakers after their primary talk? I've heard the strategy come up a few times lately and it's pretty interesting how some organizers are positioning these. And then a few weeks ago at a conference I found myself waiting 20 minutes to chat with a speaker because they are swarmed by a bunch of other attendees. I’m curious what you event pros think (pros, cons, opportunities, etc.)? FIRST THE PROS 👍 Personalized Attendee Experience - It definitely helps focused attendees go deeper on topics they are most interested in. I know I always target sessions and speakers I want to connect deeper with. 👍 Maximizing Speaker Time - It helps organizers leverage the speakers in a variety of formats. Since the speakers are already at the event, I have to believe many would welcome a continued conversation in a more intimate environment and it helps organizers maximize their speaker lineup.  👍 Speaker Benefit - There's a reason why speakers are speaking. It seems like it would be helpful for speakers to extend the opportunity to share their message. If they want to. I realize some speakers are incredibly busy and don’t have time, but it seems like that is more of the exception than the rule. 👍 Revenue - When I heard it, the idea was positioned as an interesting Revenue Opportunity for a couple reasons: A part of a VIP registration, a new Sponsor Concept or an additional exhibitor package/upgrade 💲 VIP REGISTRATION: I know as an attendee, I highlight sessions and speakers I am really excited about. And would likely pay extra to be apart of a small group session 💲 NEW SPONSOR CONCEPT: Given the right track, it sounds like it can also be another more interactive way to add a new or extended sponsor opportunity. 💲 EXHIBITOR UPGRADE: Another option is to align speakers with the right exhibitors, so these conversations can happen right at a booth. NOW THE CON 👎 I can see how organizers would be concerned that attendees would use it as an opportunity to just sell the individual in a small group. My take on that is: A. The speaker is usually experienced enough to handle those quick pitches. B. If I am going to pay for time with someone, it better be a good pitch. C. Being pitched new ideas, is partially why we attend events. 👎 It may be logistically challenging, but my knee jerk reaction is. What isn’t in the events world :) I don’t believe it is a technical issue. Having the right systems integrated, should be able to easily manage this as a new session type or subsession. All that to say, I haven’t been on the organizer side in a while, but it caught my attention - so I’m curious what others think.

Events make for good people watching. One of the many things I love about events is seeing how people to react to and engage with the environment that’s been designed specifically for them. If I’ve done my job right, it’s a success and as a collective the attendees give life to the experience. But for it to be a success, I need to start by considering each step of the journey, the end goal of the event and audience. This article from Bizzabo about the Event Attendee Journey Map explores a few key touchpoints and strategies that will steer the direction of your event to be the success you want it to be and that will impact the attendee’s experience so it’s one they won’t forget. Thanks Chaviva Gordon-Bennett for sharing your insights!

My take on the Digital vs F2F events debate?... It's become clear through conversations I've had over the years, that some organisers are afraid that offering digital or hybrid events, or even making event content available online, will make people not want to go to their in-person event. A long standing fear, one that's been around for years...but I don’t think it has any basis in reality. And here’s the proof: the bounce back we’ve seen at in-person events since the pandemic has been pretty incredible. However, there are as many unique benefits to attending an event in-person as there are to attending one virtually. As the saying goes, different horses for different courses….. Here’s what I think most of us missed about in-person events when digital was the only option we had: ➡️ Socialising (networking) with people we know and with shared interests. ➡️ Serendipity - those chance meetings where we make meaningful and often long-term connections with people we don’t know. ➡️ The tangible experience of being together as part of a community, that feeling of belonging. ➡️ Experiencing first-hand new products/vendors and getting to know their people. While digital works well for delivering content and education and can be a great leveller in terms of accessibility and reach, from the organiser side, digital is also a great way to extend value to the wider community, raise your profile, and build a pipeline for your in-person events. So here’s the rub: while the pandemic forced a complete but temporary halt to in-person event attendance, it isn’t the only factor that will impact attendance and formats. I think the most urgent challenge we need to address is the behaviour changes we’ve seen as a result. We have all made changes to our working lives as a result of the last few years, many of which have become permanent. People are also waking up to their impact on the environment, and organisers are, hopefully, looking for ways to be more inclusive. Like it or not, we are living in a hybrid world, and our ability to continue to meet the needs of our event communities will likely affect the relevance and sustainability of the event down the line. It's important that marketing messages acknowledge these needs and explain how attending an event either virtually or in-person will meet them. This is the challenge for event organisers and their marketers. #eventprofs #marketing #events #exhibitions #communitymarketing #tradeshows #eventmarketing

I love events! There's something about months of planning and execution all culminating in a few exciting days that excites me. It's the perfect blend of creativity 🎨, strategy 🧠, and action 🏃. From cozy self-hosted gatherings to grand trade shows, organizing an event is like building a ship 🚢 – it requires precision, collaboration, and a clear vision of the destination. Events, unlike other channels, need a huge amount of planning so it’s crucial to plan your whole year ahead of time 🗂️. First Step: Yearly plan Audience, Goals, and Objectives 🎯: Start with the end goal in mind and decide who you are targeting and what specific areas like business growth, customer retention, or industry penetration. Your decisions are guided by these goals. Review previous years 🗓️: If you've hosted events before, evaluate past results to identify successful patterns and areas to avoid. The list - Research & Options 🔍: From Huge tradeshows & conferences to boutique self-hosted gathering, your option pool usually will be very big. I like to map out all the options through the year in all the territories I aim to focus on. Once I have a complete list, it’s time to determine budgets. Budget & return 💵: Events cost, and often they cost a lot. Before venturing into organizing an event, you need to understand your spending capability and your return expectation. For example, if you’re going to attend a conference with a booth with lead generation in mind, make sure that the cost of the event can be returned (in the worst case by deals). Main stakeholders 👥: Events are not a marketing-only activity. It’s a collaborative effort between all areas of the business. Before you start signing contracts, talk to your main stakeholders, get feedback, and set expectations. Pricing and Negotiations 💼: After identifying event options, reach out to organizers to receive options, offer and negotiate for the best deal. It's time-consuming but crucial to invest in this process. Other Companies: Once you've narrowed your scope, don't overlook reaching out to companies that have attended these events. Their feedback can reveal vital information. Once you have all the information organized in place (I use a Google sheet with all the critical info), it’s time to make decisions. You know your goals, you know your budget, and you know your options. Now it’s time to choose wisely and start closing the events and preparing for the next stage - Pre-Event 📝. Next time I will dive into the next part of the process. See you soon 🙂. #eventstrategy #b2bmarketing #cmo

The Event Dilemma: Virtual or In-Person? Do you lean towards the vibrant energy of in-person gatherings or the ease of attending virtually? Let's delve into this debate! 🎤🌐 Virtual events open doors to experiences otherwise out of reach, especially when the event takes place in another country. Yet, let's face it - some can be quite underwhelming. 😴 Over the past years, I've participated in both in-person and virtual versions of Forward Festival. The in-person event buzzed with energy, delightful side activities, and freebies! 🎉 However, the virtual event allowed me to access all talks without conflicting schedules, as the videos were available for streaming later. Plus, it came at a fraction of the cost, all while enjoying the comfort of home. 🏠💬 What can enhance the appeal of virtual events? That's the challenge. As events pivot, the fear of their disappearance looms. Quality content and engaging your audience, I believe, is the key to the success of virtual events. 🌟 Your turn: Which event type ignites your enthusiasm? 🤔 And do you believe virtual events are fading away? Share your insights! 🌐👥 Btw, if you want to get some ideas on how to make your virtual event more engaging, have a look at our blog post! https://lnkd.in/d4TWWgvH

The Art of Event Crafting: Personalised Solutions for All Sizes In the world of events, every detail matters, from the grandest gesture to the subtlest touch. Whether you're hosting an intimate micro event or orchestrating a large-scale corporate conference, the key to success lies in delivering an unforgettable experience that resonates with each attendee. That's where Conference Craft comes in. We offer a spectrum of bespoke services tailored to events of all sizes. Micro-events, major impact:  In the era of personalised experiences, micro-events have gained prominence for their ability to create deep, meaningful connections. Conference Craft specialises in these intimate gatherings, providing meticulous planning and execution that transform small-scale events into impactful experiences. Our team ensures that even the smallest event is rich in detail, making every moment memorable. Corporate conferences, crafted to perfection:  When it comes to large-scale corporate conferences, the challenges are as vast as the opportunities. Conference Craft rises to the occasion with expert planning, innovative technology, and seamless execution. We handle everything from thematic design to logistical coordination, ensuring your conference not only meets but exceeds expectations. Customised solutions for every scale:  At Conference Craft, we understand that no two events are the same. Our approach is to first listen and understand your vision, goals and the unique needs of your audience. We then tailor our services to fit the scale and scope of your event, whether it's a cosy workshop or a sprawling industry summit. Our bespoke solutions ensure that every event is a perfect reflection of your brand and message. No matter the size or scope of your event, Conference Craft is dedicated to creating experiences that inspire, engage and leave a lasting impression. Our commitment to innovation, excellence and personalised service makes us the perfect partner for your next event. Let's craft something extraordinary together, making every event, big or small, an unforgettable celebration of your brand and vision. Get in touch: https://bit.ly/43dMLjU 

🌐💼 IAofEP: Where Business Meets Brilliance in Event Education & Certification! 🚀🔍 Hello Business Leaders and Event Gurus! 🌟 Let's talk strategy, success, and how the International Association of Event Professionals (IAofEP) is your secret weapon for navigating the evolving landscape of the event industry. 🌐📈 🔑 Elevate Your Team with Education Excellence! 🔑 In the fast-paced world of business events, knowledge is power. IAofEP doesn't just offer education; they deliver strategic insights, industry intelligence, and the latest trends. Equip your team with the skills needed to orchestrate seamless events that resonate with your business objectives. 🏆 Certification for Competitive Edge! 🏆 In a competitive market, credentials matter. IAofEP's certification programs provide your team with the recognition and validation needed to stand out. Become the industry authority by showcasing certifications like 'Strategic Event Architect' and 'Corporate Event Maestro' – the badges of excellence that set your business apart. 🚀 Stay Ahead, Stay Relevant! 🚀 The IAofEP is not just adapting to change; they are driving it. By investing in IAofEP's educational resources, your team stays ahead of industry shifts, tech advancements, and emerging trends. Be the first to leverage innovations that will shape the future of business events. 🌐 Networking for Business Growth! 🌐 Business is built on relationships. IAofEP offers a dynamic network of professionals and businesses, creating opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and growth. Connect with industry leaders, potential clients, and innovative minds to propel your business to new heights. 📊 ROI on Investment in Excellence! 📊 Investing in IAofEP's education and certification programs is an investment in your business's success. The ROI is measured not just in monetary returns but in elevated brand reputation, enhanced team capabilities, and a competitive edge that translates into tangible business results. 💡 IAofEP: Where Strategy Meets Execution! 💡 In the business of events, strategy is as vital as execution. IAofEP ensures your team is equipped with the strategic mindset needed to conceptualize and execute events that align seamlessly with your business goals. 🌟 Join the Business Excellence Brigade! 🌟 Ready to lead your business into a new era of event excellence? Join IAofEP – the catalyst for business brilliance in the event industry. Elevate your team, amplify your impact, and position your business as a frontrunner in the ever-evolving world of corporate events. 🌐💼✨ Tag your business peers and let them know – IAofEP is the strategic partner you've been waiting for! #BusinessExcellence #IAofEPBusiness #EventStrategies #CertifiedSuccess 🚀🔝

This is so refreshing to hear. #8 is my absolute favorite. If you’ve worked with me you know how I feel about badge scanning, documenting and attributing EVENT LEADS. 🤷🏻♀️😂 We aren’t just blowing up balloons here. 🎈 #eventprofs #eventmarketers #SCANTHEBADGE #dataiseverything