April 2015

How to Knockout Challenges in Events the Pacman Way

Photo from sporteology

As the fight between Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Floyd “Money” Mayweather nears, excitement is becoming unbearable to all boxing aficionados. No doubt, this Fight of the Century will leave an indelible mark in the sporting history.

But before watching this fight, you as an event manager and organizer can learn valuable lessons from Pacman on how to knockout event challenges. Here are some of the lessons:

Know Your Strength

Pacman throws a wicked left punch that sent a lot of opponents to the canvass. He knows his strength and so should you. As an event manager, what is your strength is it the conceptualization, planning, actual implementation? Knowing your strengths will give you an advantage in winning clients and projects.

Improve Your Weakness

Pacman used to be a one fisted fighter. Knowing this weakness, with the help of Freddie Roach, Pacman was able to develop his right hand. Having developed the power of his right hand, opponents is finding him more dangerous. Also, this resulted to a lot of victories. In fact, he is the only boxer to win a championship in eight divisions.

As event manager, it is a must that you know your weaknesses. At the same time, it is imperative that you improve these weaknesses if you cannot improve then you must hire people that will complement you and obliterate these points that make accomplishing your tasks difficult.

Be Relentless

Inside the ring, Pacman is relentless in pursuing his opponent. Some of his opponents commented that they felt overwhelmed, making them unable to execute their game plan.

As an event manager, you must be relentless in checking every detail of your events. You must relentlessly think ahead (advance thinking or proactive) on what possible problems might occur and ready solutions to avoid creating wildfires of problems.

Being relentless meant having sleepless nights, being paranoid on unlikely situations that might occur, and creating systems and redundancy to ensure all grounds are covered in your events.

Be Humble

Despite being successful, Pacman remains humble. This trait made him won the hearts of a lot of people all over the world. The intoxicating effect of success never enters his mind. He remains firmly rooted on the ground.

As event manager, you must also remain humble. The success of your past events does not guarantee success of your current and future events. You can never boast your past accomplishments, it must only serve as inspiration that you can make the impossible possible.

Embracing humbleness as a trait will allow you to learn more and be better for your next project.

Work for Bigger Reason and Deeper Meaning

Pacman never fights for his own pleasure and interest, he always fights with a bigger reason and deeper meaning. He fights for his country. He wants to make the Philippines known and his countrymen proud that they are Filipinos.

As event manager, are you working for a bigger reason or deeper meaning? Are you working for your family, for your society’s betterment, for your country’s growth?

The bigger reason and deeper meaning will make you, as an event manager, more effective and energetic in facing head-on insurmountable challenges. And in terms of success ratio, you will have better winning average in creating events that will make your clients and target audience give you a thumbs-up.

Now that you know the Pacman Way, expect that you will find yourself raising your hands and hearing applause from your clients and target audience.

Thursday, April 30, 2015
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Event Management – Age of ULTRON | Event Management Philippines

business event management philippines

This is not a threat that the Avengers encountered. In fact, this is a positive force that event managers can use as a guideline.

In the event management universe, today is the age of ULTRON – a confluence of different elements that will wipe out other promotion platforms from the top of the pedestal. This age of ULTRON elevates event management as the most important marketing tool in the company’s growth.

So fasten your seat belt, you do not need Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, Mighty Thor, Quick Silver, Hawk Eye and Nick Fury’s aid in order to achieve the potential of event management. The power resides in you and understanding the Age of ULTRON.

User Experience (UX)

This is not only applicable to the apps being created every second by tech companies. The User Experience (UX) is very relevant to the event management industry. In fact, the event is the best platform for providing the best experience.

Brands use events to give the consumers an experience that they can never forget. This enables brands to make an intimate connection with their targeted consumers.

Live

Events will always be here to stay for one reason it is live! Live means that we humans need to gather in one venue and this gathering creates magic. However, the magic can only be achieved if we know how to respect the power of Live Events.

If we want to harness the power of a live event, we must create the right stimulus that will engage the audience.

Think about the marathons that use color explosions, this is a type of live events that are very famous in all corners of the world giving unforgettable experience of participating health enthusiasts.

One caveat, even if your event is live there is a possibility that it can be dull or boring. The thing is you must study your audience and crack your brains in order to hatch a new concept that will push the boundaries of existing live events.

Pushing the boundaries of your live events is the only way to continuously provide the intended “closeness” you are aspiring to create with your target audience.

As an old adage says, “Being Alive does not mean Living”. This is the same challenge that you must go against and come out victorious to be a successful event management company.

Technology

The explosion of event apps is great news to us, event organizers and managers, it only means we have a tool to create possibilities.

We must always try to incorporate available technology in our events. Use these technologies to make things happen, especially if what we are creating is a novelty that will create an upheaval in how events are done.

I always feel the excitement of new technologies splashing in front of my eyes, mesmerizing me and other audience, it is like the event aided by technology becoming a hand that holds me, taking me to a an unknown world, giving me new emotions and discoveries.

However, too much technology can also ruin the experience or make the event cold and heartless. Again, proper application and balancing act are required. I respect your judgment as an event manager on where the balance resides in the spectrum of your events.

Revolution

Never rest on a successful concept. Event Managers or Organizers must be revolutionary. They must always wage war against tradition and established rules.

Yes, I am espousing subversion on how we treat our events. This is the only way to make quantum leaps in how events are being done and executed.

I am business event organizer, I try to look for concepts that are being done in other industries that can be applied or introduced to events.

Push the envelope, get out of the comfort zone, and create a revolution in the event universe, and you will see that it will be an industry effective, and bright as ever!

Omni-channel

Omni-channel is the seamless experience of customers with online and offline. This is still on the fledgling stage in the exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, training events, Roadshows and activations. Hopefully, more and more event managers and organizers will be able to craft best practices in this new concept. The impact of Omni-channel in the experience of the target audience or visitors will be huge.

Omni-channel will assure further viability of events. The data generated in the online can further enhance the actual event, thanks to Omni-channel.

An example of this in the events is at a conference event, using social media, website, landing page, email broadcast potential participants can register, and get their tickets or QR code. They can download an app where the speakers and delegates, programs and activities of the conferences are listed. From time to time, they receive a tweet update prior the events because of the app. They can set-up meetings with other delegates. At the actual event, then just present the QR code or bar code and automatic I.D. is produced, no need for them to fall in line and wait for hours just to get their kits. In addition, their app or I.D. cards have loyalty promos they can use in nearby stores. At the end of the conference, the power point slides of the speakers are uploaded and contained in the app they downloaded.

The cost of this seamless experience is still big for a lot of event managers. Eventually, however the cost goes down and Omni-channel will be a regular facet of events.

Niching

The more specific the audience, the more customized the experience. In the world of fragmentation, niching takes over for good. The mass is dead, what is standing after the dust has settled are niche events more focused, more in tune with the needs of a particular tribe.

This is the new order of things, a new order borne out of the need to go back to the basics. The basic means personalized events created that caters to a special group.

So much for a bigger audience and nameless guests, welcome smaller audience that you know like the lines in the palm of your hands.

So if you are part of the Avengers of the event management industry, it is time to push forward the Age of ULTRON. The earth badly needs your event management skills; it will not tolerate inertia because of repetitive events that put us all to sleep.

Good luck and grab the piece of the event management universe that is rightfully yours.

Monday, April 20, 2015
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How to Be A Successful Event Manager | Event Manager Philippines

business event management philippines

There are event managers and there are successful event managers. What separates the ordinary with the extraordinary are surprisingly obvious.

Successful Event Manager knows the following:

Client Expectations

The majority of our events are based on client needs. Before the event starts, you must understand clearly the client expectations. Try to have a written document that you and the client agreed upon on what he expects in the actual event.

Most of the time, after the event these expectations are the center of discussions between you and the client. Also, it is where the happiness of the client to your service will be determined.

Scope of Work

The scope of work is slightly different from the client expectations, first the scope of work is the operational and critical tasks that are needed to achieve the client objectives or expectations.

Most of the times, the client goes over and beyond the scope of work, if you can provide the additional tasks without creating a bigger effect on your project profitability, then go the extra mile. However, if it will drain your profit, then you must advise the client that you will have to charge a corresponding amount of the additional tasks.

Wow Moments

Event management is a science and an art. These two elements when melded together produce creative wonders. The client expects you to provide him a Wow Moment. Events are pieces of moments that affect the experience of the attendees and the clients, whether this is a corporate, social and business event – all are expected to be surprised and take home good memories.

Timely Service

Even if you have planned all the details, but the service that you rendered are delayed, you can drive the clients mad.

Timeliness of the service is very important. It assures the client that you, the event manager, are focused on ensuring that success of his event.

Timelines on providing the needs that arise in the pre and actual event make moments and experience seamless in the eyes of the clients and delegates.

Continuous Improvement

Successful event managers do not stop learning. The post event session is an important phase of event management. It is where best practices are enhanced. The weak parts of the events are discovered and strengthen, guaranteeing a better implementation of the same event next time around better.

All the knowledge and tools for event management continue to evolve. Even the needs of the clients continue to evolve. This only means that you and I as event managers must continue to change and evolve.

If you will keep this in your mind and heart, you will never be an ordinary event manager. In addition, success will always be in your hands.

Thursday, April 16, 2015
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7 Fast and Furious Errors Conference Delegates Hate

business events management philippines

Photo taken from www.imgkid.com

Experience is the master of the game when it comes to satisfying the conference delegates that you are serving in your events.

However, there are times that common and small details are neglected by your team. These items are like matchsticks that trigger fast delegates anger. You don’t want furious delegates inside your event. It makes the hard work your team exerted during the pre-event preparation go down the drain.

Here are 7 Fast and Furious Errors that we must guard against to safeguard the amazing experience we wanted to give to our conference delegates.

Wrong Name in the Badge or ID

Nobody wants to have his name misspelled neither do you? But most of the time this is a common error that makes the conference delegates blood pressure rise-up.

Long Queues

We all hate long lines and spending long hours waiting for our turn in the registration area. This is the 21^st Century and we have, in our hands, a lot of technology to solve this. Let us eliminate bad experience in our events by making this critical area seamless and fast.

Uneven Distribution of Sounds

Delegates hate this!

The technical rehearsals are for checking if the sounds are evenly distributed in the conference area. But there are cases where the front areas of the event have a loud sound, while at the back areas of the event you can barely hear what the speakers on the stage are saying.

You must always check the sound system and see to it that in all areas of the events the sound is crystal clear.

Bright or Dim Visual Projection

How can you learn if you cannot see what is being presented in the LED screens are so bright or so dim.

If you ask me, I will leave the conference hall even if the speaker is great (this is my subjective feeling).

The lesson here is you should always check if your video screens are friendly to the eye. The truth of the matter is that the eye is not only the window to the soul, but also the door to your delegates’ emotions.

Delayed Serving of Food

If lunch must be served from 12 noon, I can only tolerate a delay of 5 to 10 minutes. A delay more than this time, my impression of the conference or event will change from very good to a disaster.

You must remember that the food is an emotional issue with delegates. It is an element where organizers and events are always judged. A good food makes us emotionally inclined to give a high grade to the event.

Disrespectful Staff

You as an organizer is in the service industry, it is an automatic expectation that all your staff is service oriented – be it an in-house or outsource staff, there are no excuses.

A lot of times, I observed that what irks or provokes a delegate for becoming belligerent is because of a staff not trained to answer respectfully.

Event staff that answers back to a complaining delegate is a recipe for major complaints and unhappiness of delegates.

Humidity in the Venue

I attended a conference that makes me feel I am part of Dante’s Inferno. You must understand that a nice learning event is boosted by the right coolness of the place. The delegates must not feel too cold or too hot. The right temperature promotes the learning environment, it aids in keeping the delegates focus on the number one reason why they attended – to learn and enrich their knowledge.

I hope you learn a lot from reading my 7 fast and furious errors in a conference that organizers neglect. How about you, what are other errors that I failed to mention that are also critical in ensuring that the delegates will never forget the experience of attending our events.

Saturday, April 11, 2015
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5 Success Spots in Events to Start Your Conversation with Attendees

business events management philippines

In this age of technology, real conversation still triumphs. Real conversation, face-to-face conversation is powerful and meaningful compared to a gamut of social apps presented in front of us.

The question now is where in a conference or event do you start a conversation? I know for beginners who are socially challenged or afraid to start a conversation may find it daunting, it is like climbing Mt. Everest, battling the different elements like the weather. I know I am beginning to sound like overacting, but I talked to some who are challenged in this exciting game of networking or for me the social art of knowing and creating new friends and business partners, and their description fit climbing the tough Mt. Everest or worst than this.

However, no worries, here are 5 Success Spots in Events or Conferences where you can start a great conversation and on your way to a successful networking.

Cocktail Tables

I love cocktail tables I feel that these tables are set-up to encourage light conversations. You can approach a loner or two people at this table and strike a conversation. In fact, you can hop in different cocktail tables and by the time you have moved around, you may find in your pocket a lot of business cards and special people that can help you further your success.

Food Area

In a buffet area, while you are lining-up to get your food, you can strike a conversation with the people in front or at your back. You can talk about the food in the buffet area, and before you know it you already won a friend or a potential business partner.

Conference Table (Banquet Tables)

In some conferences, your location is already predetermined. At our events, we do this in order for people to get know other people from other companies and expand their network. If you happened to be assigned or decided to pick the table where you will spend most of the time in the learning event, make the most of it. Strike a conversation.

In a banquet table, there are 10 to 11 people that you can potentially know. Do not miss this great opportunity to know them. Start a conversation and exchange business cards. I always move around on the tables that I am assigned and give my business cards to all the people at that table. I always notice that after the exchanged of business cards, the barriers to communication are gone. I can talk to them freely and they talk to me like we knew each other for a long time. I think their fear of rejection was removed and so was mine making the conversation within the assigned table successful.

Exhibit Area

During the breaks people go around the exhibit area to talk to suppliers. You should use this area to spot people that you feel you want to know and exchange business cards. Conversation starter could be by saying hi or asking the person what is his opinion about the products or services in the exhibit area.

Registration Area

Yes, this is a bit of a stretch. But there are cases where a situation presents itself that you can start a conversation in this area. Consider this, you may give a compliment to her or his dress before he or she enters the conference area. In addition, some people stay here, and are not yet interested to go inside the plenary area; it is your opportunity to approach them. Just say hi as you approach him or her and no doubt a great conversation will follow.

I hope you find this helpful and use these event areas in starting a great conversation on your way to expanding your network.

However, if you still have some areas I failed to mention, I will be glad to hear it and add in this article as an update.

Thursday, April 09, 2015
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How to Knockout Challenges in Events the Pacman Way

Event Management – Age of ULTRON | Event Management Philippines

How to Be A Successful Event Manager | Event Manager Philippines

7 Fast and Furious Errors Conference Delegates Hate

5 Success Spots in Events to Start Your Conversation with Attendees

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