If you think dealing with customers and potential customers via the great digital road is all that is necessary in the modern age, you may be sorely mistaken. No matter how tech we get, people still enjoy, in fact love, contact. Sometimes just the fact that you have arranged an event, a show, a get-together is impressive and exciting. But that said, gone are the days when you might woo clients in the dreary surroundings of a town hall with a couple of speakers and some limp snacks.
Today, event planning is critical to connection but also to your business and your brand. Every event has to present a unique, memorable experience that will resonate with attendees. So the stakes are high, and changing every year. The trick is to add, enhance, surprise and intrigue through every step of the design and presentation. And this year, in 2019, the buzz-word is participation.
Today, event planning is critical to connection but also to your business and your brand. Every event has to present a unique, memorable experience that will resonate with attendees. So the stakes are high, and changing every year. The trick is to add, enhance, surprise and intrigue through every step of the design and presentation. And this year, in 2019, the buzz-word is participation.
Décor and Design
Event design is about focusing attention, creating an experience, building a brand – and most importantly, imparting your message. Design is therefore goal-driven. It’s not about making things look nice; there is message in the colour, in the lighting, in the presentation schedule, and an emphasis on brand value throughout. From your venue to the entertainment, to the carefully chosen décor and design, you’re presenting a visual identity, catching attention and stirring imagination. The experience is to remind guests why they are there and what your message is all about – and every detail plays its part.Light up the Stage
Begin with the centre of attention – and that’s the stage. Lighting plays a major role here. You can transform mood and meaning with lighting. And in this way, the stage is your first tool in conveying your message. So use it to mesmerise with colour and the unexpected. With modern technology, you can introduce the ‘wow’ factor with pictures, film, sound and 3D projection. You can immerse your audience in drama or beauty or a sense of exhilaration. 2019 trends sees the stage being used to achieve your message through full engagement of the audience, and also their participation. And therefore the design is key to your goal.Keynote Speakers
The days when a speaker stood at a podium and doled out a prepared speech are long gone. Today you need to bring in speakers who will engage on a personal note with the audience, and who will deliver fresh perspectives. Speakers who can entertain while they also inform are crucial to motivating and encouraging creative thinking in the audience. Be bold, be controversial, drive diverse opinion and intelligent argument – but use speakers that fire up the audience to participate.Part of the Furniture
A real trend in 2019 is the use of creative seating solutions. Instead of the usual rows and rows of straight-backed chairs, rather use couch settings and coffee tables to create intimate spaces, ‘rooms’ where people can experience a more friendly and informal vibe while enjoying the show or the speakers. Different types of seating from high cocktail tables and stools, to armchairs, to benches and large cushions – all create a more comfortable environment; and the more relaxed an audience might be, the more they pay attention.Personalised Experience
Customising the experience is going to be a big trend in 2019. And this means more than just printing an attendee’s name on a tag. There will be much more interaction in the communications, and attendees will be able to participate in activities, voice their opinions, test speakers and other attendees with pertinent questions. Even before the event attendees will be shown the schedule and asked for feedback, bringing in any personal elements to the fore. Even more impressively, you can prepare a list of restaurants close to the conference centre specifically chosen to suit a questionnaire the attendee has answered before the event. Every bit of personal information gleaned before the attendee arrives at the event, can be used in a way that will resonate individually.Hands-on Experience
This year be sure to cut down the length of speeches. Shorter talks interspersed with participatory activities will keep the audience engaged and lively. It’s time to form teams and test each other, put into practice what has been learned, and truly experience the value of the event.Leisure
It’s not all work and no play. People perform better when there are breaks for relaxation and a change of scene. Sometimes this can be just entertainment – or a luncheon, or a bus trip to see the local sites. Time to connect with other attendees is good, and some ‘touristy’ options are becoming more popular, and helping to imprint the impact of the event.The Invitations
Sending an invitation that presents a visual entertainment is another popular trend. With some clever tech magic, you can light up the invitation on the recipient’s screen and play out the invite as a colourful foretaste of the event itself. The use of colour, design and words create a mini-effect of what lies in wait at the event itself.