Exlinkevents blog provides conference, event management, and other business event information and educational content in the Philippines.
It has become one of the go-to resource blogs for upcoming event professionals and business event tourism enthusiasts.
"A successful event is not just about meeting the objectives, but also about creating a lasting impression on the attendees."
Let us say you achieved your revenue target because of the event you created. However, the attendees have a bad experience. Do you think that your event will have a repeat because of this?
We all know the answer to this question.
It is important that more than meeting your event objectives like sales, revenues, and brand awareness, you also give importance to the impressions that your attendees will have because of what they experienced from your event.
A lasting impression can be because of how the attendees were treated during the event. If you let them feel they are VIPs, they will conclude that you really care about their needs.
A lasting impression can also be the proactive and creative networking space you provided to your attendees. People attend events to belong and expand their network. If you are able to serve as their bridge to other people they will appreciate your event.
A positive experience by attendees will provide emotional goodwill to your event. They will spread the word about how great your event is because of the feelings they generated from being part of it.
In summary, beyond the profit-centered key performance indicators, focus also on the emotional ROI that your attendees will gain from your event.
According to one definition, creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of artistic work.
An event is an artistic work. As an event manager, you are the artist and there are no limits to what you can do to shape and elevate an event into an unforgettable masterpiece.
Also remember that in every event that you do, you are tasked to create a masterpiece that will leave an indelible mark on the minds of your clients and attendees.
Creativity follows organization. No matter how brilliant your ideas are you will not be able to make them happen without a solid organization to back you up.
Create a seamless style of work and skilled manpower inside your organization. These hold the key to allowing you anything that is possible in your event.
"Success in event management is all about attention to detail and the ability to adapt to any situation that arises."
Attention to Detail is easier said than done. In the world of event management, you prepare for a long checklist, orient your people to their specific tasks, and make rounds to check if they are doing their work.
Attention to detail is your ability to spot minute aspects of the event you are running from pre-event, the actual event, and post-event.
In fact, our ability to have very focused attention to detail is what our clients are paying for. This ability is what makes us deliver a successful event. The ability to not leave any stone unturned in order to deliver the experience the participants of the event are expecting.
One of the challenges in event management is creating an atmosphere where delegates will feel welcome. It is a challenge to make them feel they belong and not an isolated island in the midst of faceless and nameless attendees.
Here are some tips to create a welcoming atmosphere:
1. Be a Great Host
The first time they step into your event venue, be ready to smile and greet them. This will warm their hearts. Nobody can’t resist a smiling person approaching and greeting you while ready to assist you in helping you have your seat at the event.
Also, find time to explore the room and talk to your attendees. Just imagine the venue is your house and your attendees are your guests. Striking a conversation or small talk removes the uneasy feeling of attendees. Eventually, they will be comfortable and show their bubbly self or step away from being shy to being friendly.
2. Create a Speed Networking
Most Filipinos are shy by nature. Even if they are professionals, only a few people have the ability to start a conversation. Therefore, when you place speed networking in your program, attendees are forced to break the ice and approach other people because they were given permission.
Your attendees will surely love this. They may even believe this is the best part of your event.
3. Prepare for Group Workshops
Group Workshops allow attendees to work together. In the process of the workshop, they are avail to get to know each other while benefiting from an output-based conversation.
Group Workshop creates a dynamic bond for all attendees. Best of all, it is a great way to learn more things.
There are other great ways to create a welcoming atmosphere for your attendees. The key here is always to make this one of your priorities.
“Event Management is not just about logistics and planning; it’s about creating an emotional connection with your audience”.
Logistics and planning are important. However, this is the technical aspect of the event. Oftentimes, event organizers focus too much on the technical aspect of the event. This is a big mistake when you neglect the reason why you are achieving technical excellence – the audience.
The audience experience or customer experience must be the heart of your technical hard work. You must ensure that your activities and attention to detail are geared towards creating an event that emotionally connects with the audience.
Always remember that you are creating an event to have a repeat transaction. This repeat business can only be possible when your event resonates with your audience.
Yes, logistics and planning may have something to do with it. But it will only be possible if, on top of our minds, all actions that we take are all about the experience our audience will enjoy and emotionally appreciate.
"Events are like a canvas: you start with a blank slate and through careful planning and execution, you create a masterpiece." - Unknown
This is the main reason why event management is an art. You have a blank canvas you have the freedom to do whatever you want.
There is only one consideration while you are creating your art - client satisfaction.
It is with this consideration that you draw something wonderful to delight and awe your client. You try to create a different experience never been done before. You push the boundary of what is possible.
Alas, at the end of the event you and your client are left in awe of the masterpiece that you painstakingly created.
