As attendees become more design-savvy, the bar for creating events that feel curated, modern and set the vibe is higher than ever. Event design and specializing in “live format UX (user experience)” is a growing approach. As a 30 year veteran in corporate events, I have seen trends come and go. Seeing the same rentals, signs and looks at events creates a same-sameness that attendees tire of quickly. We find our clients in the tech and financial spaces demand…
We have more tools than ever to make events smarter, faster and more personalized. AI can help us build agendas, analyze attendee data, create content, recommend connections and streamline almost every part of the planning process. But as our world becomes increasingly digital and AI-enabled, I believe the greatest value of live events is becoming increasingly human. People don’t just want to attend. They want to feel something. They want to participate, contribute, laugh, play, learn, connect and leave…
A good speaker can be key to what makes an event memorable and a success. For some people, taking the stage, whether it’s the fifth time or the 50th time, feels as natural and instinctual as riding a bike. But for most people, presenting onstage for a room full of attendees is a daunting experience, especially if they’re relatively experienced. Luckily, there are a few things all speakers can do, regardless of their experience level, to feel more comfortable…
There was a time not long ago when many of us had never attended a true virtual event. Now, with the novelty of modern technologies worn-off and the over saturation of virtual events, event professionals and marketers alike must find new and creative ways to promote their events. While there is increased talk about hybrid events in 2021, 75 per cent of event organizers plan to incorporate technology into their events going forward, no matter the event format. This is…
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has partnered with services contractor Fern to offer a premiere chapter education series that enables industry-leading content to be provided at a local level. “It is important to us to provide the best and most pertinent education programming to our members, especially as our industry strives to recover from the challenges faced in the past year,” says IAEE vice-president of learning experiences, Marsha Flanagan. “In the five years the chapter education series…
It will soon be one year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Although the world’s biggest vaccine rollout is now underway, organizations are struggling to decide whether to move forward with a virtual event or postpone. Last year, many pushed in-person events back to 2021, and are now realizing this year may be no more conducive to hosting an in-person event. If the purpose of your event is to build business relationships, it may not be in…
Mediasite Events has announced a complete virtual solution platform to take an event online. “(It’s) everything you need to keep the show going, despite COVID travel restraints,” says Joe Mozden Jr., CEO of Sonic Foundry, the maker behind Mediasite. “Virtual events are the new normal and even as the world starts to re-open, we believe it is forever changed.” The complete virtual platform allows users to expand reach with live or simulated live streaming. A technician works with each speaker…
With more events making the switch to virtual, event organizers are having to deal with a whole new set of risks. Many of the factors involved in running in-person events still apply but there are others that you may not have considered. One area that’s often overlooked is insurance. So, I spoke with experts at Event Insurance Services Ltd. Here’s what you should know before taking your next event online. Insurance Coverage Traditional events have always required comprehensive insurance policies.…
Inclusion and diversity have been major topics of discussion in recent months. The senseless death of George Floyd at the hands of police that was captured on camera and broadcast around the world has forced leaders, business owners and industry to face an ugly truth — we live in a society that is plagued with injustice and inequality. This ‘new’ learning (for some) has prompted many figureheads to take a verbal stance, displaying their allyship to black and minority communities.…
The global spread of COVID-19 has transformed daily life and, like most business sectors, the events industry has evolved and adapted to cope with the new normal. In doing so, it has entered a new phase where changes are likely to endure into the post-pandemic period. Here, three industry experts — Carly Silberstein of Redstone Agency, Ruby Sohi of Royal Blue Events Management and Theresa Beenken of the National Speakers Bureau — provide their predictions on how the events industry…
