REVISITING : THE GLOBAL EVENT SUMMIT 2016
By Tahira Endean , Event Producer - # BCTECH Summit
When we began the ILEA Global Event Summit , we started with one BIG question :
How can we make faceto-face experiences even more valuable and meaningful ?
As the event creator , you can easily enhance experiences with thoughtful elements to differentiate an event from its competition . You can make it memorable and shareable and help ensure guests return because they feel a deeper connection to the organization and the event . In my experience , it begins with an understanding of neuroscience . Perhaps this is not what you were expecting – traditionally , an understanding of logistics , or design , or creating a great flow , or even technology are the starting points . In reality , event professionals need to understand people . These days , we know more about how people respond to sound , ( natural ) and subtle scent , texture , and audio and visual cues , than ever before , yet we don ’ t always take advantage of this powerful knowledge .
Start with a big venue entrance moment ; a wow that raises expectations ( gets them excited ). Use alternate seating styles , such as a simple mix of sizes and heights of tables , chairs and stools , to create an impact and heighten awareness – this sets the stage for positive interactions to begin . Mix hard and soft textures and create areas where people feel comfortable – tall tables they can stand at with satin , low tables with rich damask , chairs they can sit on briefly to eat , and comfy sofas they can sink into ( at last ) for a long conversation .
Make the food and beverage irresistible , approachable and when you can , surprising . Chou pastry filled with delectable fillings in shoe boxes ( chou – get it ?) as seen at TSE ; mini red velvet cupcakes with bacon ; there are so many choices – work with your caterer to excite your guests and give them a reason to start a conversation while in line .
Ask yourself : Are you engaging every guest through environment , food , scent , music and positive surprise ? Are you connecting the dots in ways that will enhance the event experience so they simply ‘ have to return ’?
We also asked : What role can science and technology play in creating meaningful life events ? ( when everyone arrives with a supercomputer in their pocket or purse )
We made some PURPLE POINTS
• Gain better understanding of how technology can be used
• Integrate technology with live events to enhance them , not replace them
• Don ’ t forget the importance of personal interaction
Technology can and should be used to enhance your event . Music provides connections to a place and time and adds energy to a room – use it thoughtfully and it is incredibly powerful . Choose your lighting color to shift moods and you can control where and how people view any element . Lighting is critical to defining an event space , including DMX controlled wrist bands or other personalized elements . Mobile allows us to track movement through an event ; to have participants spend in-hand during fundraising events ; to deliver social content to all their followers and fellow participants ; to enhance learning with polls and surveys ; and to allow our participants to be connected in our event and to their “ real ” worlds in real time – families , friends and yes , work , as needed . Ultimately , understanding our participants and their needs in this new digital reality is our challenge and our greatest opportunity , and I say bring it on !
The purple paper can be downloaded here .
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