EVENT BOOSTING & ENGAGEMENT TIPS FOR 2017
2017 is predicted to be an exciting year for brand communication for those inspired to stand out from the crowd and deliver tailored audience experiences.
Check out our summary of key trends to whet your appetite:
1. Real Experience vs Virtual RealityIn 2016, Pokémon Go introduced a new world, the world of virtual reality; Due to the progressive technology in events, devices like the Oculus Rift and Sony Morpheus could massively increase the reach of an event by bringing together experts and “virtual attendees” from all the parts of the world. That offers the ability to create a generation of ideas and discussion even to those who were not able to travel. This is the opportunity for events to be amplified, to go beyond the location, to preserve the one to one interaction while being miles away. |
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2. Inspiring VenuesEven though hotels have dominated the UK domestic conference market, nowadays conference and awards ceremony organisers look more for venues that fit the theme of their event and can impress their delegates and guests, rather than always choosing conference facilities offered by hotels and purpose-build conference venues. Informality is fast becoming the new norm, and this spills over into the use of more casual locations. This includes places like rehearsal studios, lofts, roof spaces, warehouses, temples, castles and previously unloved spaces that can be re-energised with amazing production techniques #original venues # license to be creative #graffiti signage on arrival |
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3. Theatre for BrandsIt’s all about the immersive theatre standard experiential experience: A successful event is based not only on profits and attendees’ satisfaction, but also creating memorable experiences, engaging the audience and later continuing to connect emotion with the event/brand. Be bold and creative and consider using bespoke theatre makers, such as Swamp Studios, to create and curate immersive and unforgettable bespoke brand experiences #theswampmotel #theultimateshow #creative script writing |
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4. Go LiveAlthough live streaming is not a new thing, the enhanced LIVE functions of Facebook and Instagram paired with drone streaming will let events achieve game-changing, full-360 degree streaming and enable event organisers to create great content, drive interest and engage with the audience. Comshows v-communicator allows you to transcend borders and interact with remote audiences through voting/ commenting and ranking. Also as a bonus you get great archive video footage for use post-event #webcasting #borderless communication #extending the life of your event |
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5. The Role of DataStats like percentage of exhibitor types, educational topics discussed, and attendance increases, let attendees know if the event is a good fit. Furthermore, social media analytics tools can reveal the attendees’ preferences, demographics, behaviour etc. Analysing data and acting on it can improve the overall event experience, help organisers focus their marketing spend, and ultimately boost event attendance #BigData #Events |
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6. View Point: Social Engagement at Trade ShowsHave you ever wanted to hear the spontaneous views of audiences about brands in a trade show environment? Viewpoint which is currently in development involves creating memorable experiences by creating a mini-studio at your event – lights, camera, backdrop and set up a playful exercise, asking some questions, tailored to the theme of the event, and invite delegates to get involved. For the participants, it’s a story to share back at the office and a memorable engagement with the event. For event organisers and organisations, it’s a way to create entertaining content, get real insight into themes and understand their participants. We have had some great feedback so far #ViewPoint #Tradeshows Click here to see the taster video . |
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| Want to hear more creative ideas for your next event/exhibition, video or need the technical and creative expertise to unleash your next bold and memorable experience? | |
Contact:
linda.carroll-doggrell@comshows.comTwitter: comshows |
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The Insiders Event Planning Guide To Beating Conference Fatigue
Ask yourself: Have your audiences experienced conference fatigue and can’t bear to see one more PowerPoint presentation or worse still participate in a dry monthly hour long conference call?
Have they had enough travelling all the way to a venue three hrs away when they feel that they could have learnt more reading a memo and would have preferred the option to watch the presentation on-line?
The 7 commandments to an engaging event…
1. Know Your Audience – Do research and ensure that your event adds value. Why not ask the audience when they register for the top 3 topics they want covered throughout the day or any burning questions? Most events cover this in the feedback post event when it’s already too late! It is helpful and advantageous to know the mind set of the audience in advance. It is better to face any issues and address this from the opening speech. Issues raised, such as de-motivation amongst staff due to recent redundancies, can be opened up from the outset with a pre-emptive positive response by the chief executive.
2. Set clear objectives and goals for your event within the wider scope of your communications strategy. Think! What would people miss out on if it never took place? Never have a meeting just for the sake of it – this really is bad publicity. Choose another avenue of conveying the message and break the routine!
3. What is the best platform to communicate and engage? A plethora exists! Be it an event, video or on-line forum to name but a few. Read more >>
Puzzles and solutions
We’ve been thinking here at Comshows about how to add value to our clients’ conferencing events, whilst also appreciating that the current climate isn’t exactly bringing the budget for grand gestures to the fore…
We’d love to start a dialogue with clients and fellow event agencies, to talk about what simple ideas would make an event memorable and unique, without costing the earth. We’re happy to share, and hope you are too!
A few ideas include:
– Large-scale messageboards for conferences and exhibitions, in the style of festival boards, to communicate with both the event hosts and other delegates
– Networking opportunities for delegates, both prior to the event and
– Multi-platform events, to drive costs down from hosting several separate events, making each work independently but in an integrated fashion
– Evening events following the day’s conference – re-enforcing themes during introductions etc., and referencing them visually and with content
Now, that’s just a few. We’d love to hear from you – whether your a business that holds events who wants to comment or make suggestions, or an events team who’ve had experience with any of the above and would like to say how it went.
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