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Increase your event’s amazement level

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Increase your event's amazement level
At a recent conference organisers forum one of the key issues we discussed was how the amazement level at events was not increasing – if anything it was decreasing.

Pressure on budgets has led to internal staff performing some of the key functions of event professionals. Rather than a specialist venue, a regular, more sedate venue was selected. Over all, it seems like it is just that bit harder to build an amazement lever that excites everyone.

This leans into the concept that with every event there are three facets people are always chasing: good, fast and cheap. But, you can only ever have two of them.

So, what can you do to lift the amazement level of your next event? While every event is different, with different audiences expecting different experiences, there are some basic elements worth paying attention to. Based on our discussion, here are some simple and effective things you can do:

  • Create more opportunities for delegates to connect
  • Increase the “blank space” in the program. No delegate ever thought, “Oh I wish there was more content!”
  • Create an experience for first-time delegates
  • Create networking experiences for early career delegates so this becomes a core event for them
  • Implement more “fun” ideas for delegates like ball pit networking and paint by numbers activities
  • Ensure all speakers and activities are focused on the delegates and give them an opportunity to help create memorable moments

It seemed the “most talked about” experiences at events is when it was the delegate, or the delegate’s representative, who was the star of the show. THEY got turned into a choir. THEY got to do the scotch tasting. THEY got to meet the celebrity speaker.

To lift the level of amazement of your next event, regardless of size or budget, what can you do to make the delegates the stars of the show?

Warwick Merry is a global award winning event host and event evangelist. For over 20 years he has been hosting and producing online, hybrid and in-person events.