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and pressures on our working and personal lives increase , distraction levels for both online and inperson meetings may continue to rise . As an industry , we need to ensure that we ’ re providing the very best conditions for productive , engaging , and impactful face-toface meetings .
How can organisers use the findings to help increase attention at their events ? Events industry expert and report contributor Simon Hughes provided potential solutions , saying : “ By analysing what distracts delegates , we can plan how to combat those distractions . If people need to check their emails , social media , and news channels – make that part of the agenda . Provide spaces where they can do that without distracting people in the main event space .
“ To combat boredom , the
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content will have to be compelling . If everyone is a bit exhausted by the demands of daily life , create a better schedule for your event – give it some time and space that makes attending feel both relaxed and enjoyable .”
Participants also shared their own thoughts on how to increase engagement at events in our report . The optimum meeting length for concentration was reported to be between 16 and 30 minutes . When it comes to speaker presentations , respondents prefer a length of between 11 and 30 minutes .
Respondents valued active rather than passive meeting formats , such as brainstorming , team building and workshops . For strategies to improve focus , respondents expressed a desire for more refreshments , interactive presentations , more group work , specific food and drink to aid concentration , and wellthought-out presentation formats .
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Above : The QEII Centre , London |
How is QEII utilising the report ’ s findings , and how can venues better adapt to capture delegates ’ attention ? Venues also have a crucial role to play in creating more engaging and productive meeting experiences . It ’ s clear that venues which offer breakout rooms , access to the outdoors , natural light , networking spaces , a variety of nutritious and well-timed ‘ brain-boosting ’ food and drink , as well as the capacity for a variety of different meeting formats and seating arrangements , will provide the best environment for engaging meetings and events .
At The QEII Centre , our event team will have preliminary discussions with clients based on the findings of the report and will offer various solutions , depending on the needs of the client and the event , such as altering the layout , menu , format , and number of breaks . We will always be guided by the needs of our clients , but this report provides an excellent tool and discussion point for our sales and events teams , as well as the clients we work with .
Can this report ’ s findings have a wider impact ? Distraction is faced by us all , in both our personal and professional lives , regardless of which industry we work in . It ’ s important to learn how to minimise distractions to preserve our own energies , accomplish our goals and ambitions , and ensure that the work we do is as productive as possible . The many causes of distraction that we ’ re all faced with in the modern world are probably here to stay . But , if we can acknowledge the issue , then we can create environments , working spaces and events which enable us to be as focused and productive as possible . EW
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