April 27, 2022 | By Warwick Merry
The pandemic has exhausted people. It feels like everyone has had to do more with less and working from home means eight hours a day becomes 10 way too easily.
We have been through more change and pivoted way more than we ever thought possible. We have had to learn new systems, upgrades to new systems and then more new systems to compliment the other new systems.
So now that we are heading back to some face-to-face events, have we got enough white space? Are there enough gaps in the agenda where we can simply reconnect with our colleagues? Do we have the time to turn off and become human “beings” not human “doings”?
When we create the space and hold it for our delegates, amazing things can happen. Serendipitous conversations that turn into contracts. Late night conversations about weird and whacky ideas that may just have a chance of being something. Total strangers meeting and swapping stories of how they both love welding as a hobby.
Yes, there always seems to be space for a beverage or two at the bar, but what about some space within the event itself? More time on the expo floor to meet sponsors and exhibitors. More time at the buffet with colleagues they haven’t seen for two years. More time over coffee outside in the sunshine.
Too often delegates feel overwhelmed by their options, and still we organisers feel it is important to provide more content. At the moment, our delegates are turning up to events with their brains already full. So, for the next six months, when it comes to content, less is more.
Make sure you create spaces in the streams, activities on the edges, extend the breaks, give your delegates time to be the fabulous people they are.
You won’t regret it and you will be amazed at the value your delegates create out of it.
Warwick Merry is a Certified Speaking Professional, dual Certified Virtual Presenter, recipient of the 2021 Global Outstanding Intrapreneur Award, the 2022 Breakthrough Speaker Award and 2022 Nevin Award for service to the speaking industry.
For over 20 years he has been hosting and producing online, hybrid and in-person events. He is the host of the Making Events Awesome livestream and Facebook group.