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Experience Design:

A Complete Guide to Creating


Memorable Events
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Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 2


Contents
2 Copyright 19 Networking
20 Sponsor Visibility
4 Introduction
by Julius Solaris 21 Add the Wow Factor to Entertainment
22 Exhibitors
6 Strategies Behind Creating Memorable Experiences
by Tahira Endean 23 Business Deals

7 Getting Started with Experience Design 24 Education and Learning

7 Designing a Cohesive Experience to Meet Objectives 25 Keeping Attendees Loyal

8 Define Results for Your Stakeholders 26 Team Building and Bonding

10 Great Strategy Requires Prioritization 27 Reflection and Follow-up

11 Event ROI Measurement 27 Measure Event ROI

11 Designing Purposeful Events Matters 28 In Conclusion


12 The Event Experience Framework: 6 Steps to Success 30 Additional Experience Design Resources
by Becki Cross

12 1: Identifying and Visualizing Your Key Stakeholders


31 About the Authors
13 2: Determining the Primary Event Objectives for Different Stakeholders 32 References
13 3: Understanding the Event Budget and Spending in the Right Places
34 Contributers
14 4: Process Mapping the Experience Mix
34 EventMB
14 5: Visualizing the Event Outcomes for Shared Priorities and Alignment
34 EventMobi
15 6: Accurate Reporting to Measure ROI and the Success of the Event
35 CMP Credits
16 Using Technology to Elevate the Event Experience
by Becki Cross 35 Acknowledgements
16 Event Website and Online Registration 35 Credits and Thanks
18 The Event Entrance and Flow 35 Disclaimer

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 3


Introduction by Julius Solaris

Everybody seems to agree. 2018 is the year of experiences.


Countless talks, articles, videos, presentations, and reports say that
attendees want experiences vs events. We hear the word, we think we
understand it but little has been done to explain what it actually is
and, more importantly, how to design a memorable one.
This report aims to clarify, once and for all, the strategic importance of elevating events
into experiences, and designing experiences that stick with our attendees.

Why? Because we already know what to expect. In most cases, we’ve seen and lived it all.
Business events have been the same for the past 60 years, and in some cases 100+ years.
Same format, same dynamics, same speakers.

Of course, there can be some good in tradition. There is a comfort in knowing that you will get
certain things when you attend an event. Knowing that there will be networking, education,
and entertainment is great. It helps to justify the bill with your boss or your business.

At the same time, we need to face up to FAAs (Frequently Asked Annoyances) that we shy
away from changing just because this is how it’s always been done. Is there a reason why
attendees have to wait in line before getting in? Is there a reason why we have to witness
presentations that are not tailored for the audience? Is there a reason why panels have
to be boring or made up of all white males? Is there a reason why entertainment in most
cases means alcohol in excess? Is there a reason why most meeting rooms are designed like
classrooms (the most uninspiring memory we all share)?

These are some of the FAAs that experiences address and simple events don’t. A skilled
experience designer asks at every step of the way if they are adding value for different
stakeholders. They check if they are delivering on the objectives of each participant, whether
they are sponsors, attendees, performers, or staff.

Some elements of experiences have been discussed within the industry over the past few
years. The practice of meeting design has fueled a quantum leap in the evolution of planning
and executing events. This is great news. In this report, we are adding a new element to the

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 4


mix. We will focus on the role of technology, which is often overlooked, but key to delivering a
unique experience at events.

Let’s be honest. The venue can always be better but we usually get it right. After all, selecting
venues is at the core of our role.

What about F&B? We try to stay on trend and spend time researching options. Fair enough,
it’s food and drinks, it’s important!

Same goes with performer selection. We want to impress attendees and we do our research
to make the best possible choices.

However, when it comes to technology we lower our standards. All of a sudden, it is OK to offer a
room with poor WiFi, a cumbersome registration process, or an event app that does not work.

A true experience designer does not discard or overlook any aspect


of the event process. While events are and always will be about face-
to-face first, technology can be a splendid enabler to making the
experience spotless.
The Experience Mix is a new term referring to all the elements that go into creating
memorable experiences. Memorable. Great adjective. Why pay so much attention to the
ability to remember something? The very definition of events lies in the ability to create a
change in behavior. True experiences go beyond a stunt to create a long-lasting memory for
those that attended. A ‘great experience’ in terms of an association meeting or conference is
one where the education sticks with attendees at least until the next meeting.

It’s easy to think that an impromptu stunt, a motivational keynote, or a loud show will create a
memorable experience. They will surely get you a lot of ‘likes’, a big wow in the room, or some
chit-chat during the next break but what about six months from now? Long lasting memories
are often associated with events that nailed the experience.

Sometimes, creating those types of memories has to do with the ability to unplan. To let
serendipity happen. To connect attendees, give them space, comfort or responsibility, and let
things unfold. Too much planning can kill creativity and opportunities for better attendee-to-
attendee connection, the latter being by far the most important factor participants consider
when they evaluate events.

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 5


Memories are fickle, and all participants risk falling into the forgetting curve, the place
where most of our memories go as they fade away. When designing events our foremost
consideration should be how to activate the participants and cement memorable moments
that will ultimately meet their overall objectives.

To do this, we create experiences by designing a flow through the time and space of the
event to engage all the senses. We use the elements we can control such as venue, timing,
presentation formats, food and beverage choices, sound, music, and lighting. To add depth,
we layer this on the foundation of technology we have available to us as designers, and now in
the hands of every participant. We create experiences which can also be socialized and shared.
It is time to rethink every element and, in doing so, get beyond the oh-too-familiar FAAs!

Organizations host and participate in events to fulfill business


needs, including building brand presence and loyalty, strengthening
relationships, and increasing sales. Success in achieving a variety of
objectives becomes possible when we design experiences to trigger
conversations, and allow time and space for these to flourish, for a
unique group of participants. The key reason to invest in events and
their design is that, more than anything, shared experiences build

Strategies trust, which is a key foundation of personal and professional success.


A strategically designed event will include intentional elements, such as spaces to

Behind Creating
learn, connect, network, reflect, collaborate or discuss, and socially interact within
safe environments. These spaces may include arrival and entrance zones, transition
areas, places to meet socially, food and beverage areas, rooms for sharing information,

Memorable
knowledge, and ideas, immersive environments and trade show spaces. How these are
woven together is where experience designers come in.

Approaching design-first requires understanding of the objectives of the hosts and

Experiences stakeholders, including the participants. It’s never as simple as it may first appear.
Meetings become memorable through connections, which are emotional, visceral, and
stimulating, with enough time and space for reflection and contextualizing the elements
by Tahira Endean to create a memory that is relevant.

With smart design, our attendees will want to interact and engage with the experiences

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 6


available. In today’s social and digital environment, we need to design spaces that our these different needs below, and provide ideas for creating memorable, repeatable
participants want to photograph and share with their personal networks. If they connect with experiences that they will want to be part of again.
people and have memorable, shareable moments to prove it, they are more likely to return
It is more important than ever in this age of transparency that we build an organization’s
again next time.
culture authentically and organically. From the office to internal meetings to external
events, there must be alignment across every element. This brand appeal is what
Getting Started with Experience Design creates ambassadors, and allows an organization to attract and retain the right talent
There is a growing need in society for human-to-human contact, where trust is and ultimately, the ideal clients.
built one interaction at a time. We can be comfortable in knowing our basic human
Alignment is one of our most critical future-facing functions and it requires
needs (including food, shelter, and safety) will be met, and that our greater needs for
organizations and their event partners to have a high degree of communication and
socialization and self-actualization can be satisfied.
awareness. Each must understand deeply what the brand ‘is’, and event designers
To deliver measurable results, today’s event designer will use a blend of: must understand the potential successes and pitfalls when bringing a brand to life with
consistency and in temporary environments.

Your events must fit the brand.


Every element must align with the organization’s values, and make sense so it is
appealing to the audience and creates the desired response, for example, conversation,
Knowledge of Business-minded Creative
human nature strategy logistics
trust, or sales. Consider the initial behavior of the stakeholders.

Today’s event team members are likely to cross boundaries and bring together a varied
What do they expect to hear, see, feel while attending the
skill set including learning and performance design, an understanding of production, meeting? What is the outcome, or exiting behavior, desired by the
available technology, and meeting design to support both learning and connections. stakeholders who have invested in the event?
Others may bring skills in creating space, flow, and the particular environments that
You may want to use one of the many visual tools available to show them what their
offer the best settings for what needs to happen, from the first entrance to the final
event will look like and the feeling it will leave with the participants.
departure. This may focus on the stage for compelling keynotes or other presentations,
to areas for working groups or relaxed connections. The flow through the venue should When the participants arrive, there must be a sense of place.
give context to each environment and help participants to make sense of, and create,
This will be brought to life using elements consistent with the expectations of the brand
their own experience, allowing serendipity to happen.
to create a sense of anticipation and, ultimately, immersion with the brand. For a time,
we are one and we understand we are better together. This includes:
Designing a Cohesive Experience
• Overarching destination selections
to Meet Objectives
• Venue choice(s)
When we deliver to objectives, this means acknowledging the objectives for a wide
variety of stakeholders, from the hosts and those financially invested in the meeting, • Invitation/registration/anticipation building
including organizations, sponsors and exhibitors, and the participants. We will examine

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 7


• Technology enabled and integrated Understand that there is not a one-size-fits-all answer and be prepared to do the work
with clients or management to move beyond their status quo. To do this, you must not be
• Environment including colors selected, style of furniture and overall décor
afraid to ask tough questions; those that don’t have an easy answer but help you delve into
• Lighting and production elements the layers that are beyond the obvious to reach the real ‘why’. You must set aside the design
super-words such as “Beautiful! Spectacular! Amazing!” and for each element you
• Seating formats, often varied by function type consider, ask how it will help you get to a positive impact and a measurable outcome.

• Food and beverage, opportunities to showcase local and fresh produce


Define Results for Your Stakeholders
Content is critical.
Start by stating the business challenges you want to overcome by hosting or participating
Today’s event designers must understand the expectations of the organization and in an event. Then have as many conversations as you need in order to guide the design, as
discover the content that is most important to deliver. Then comes empathy with the this will ultimately lead you to the desired result. To create results requires clear, direct,
audience to determine if this is also the content that will be the most meaningful and to transparent communication between hosts, whether that’s an agency or end client, and event
decide the delivery format that will have the most impact. designers as they seek to meet the needs of stakeholders. These stakeholders will vary
with each event and may include any of the following as a start:
As you develop content, ask yourselves:

• What do you need the audience to do with the content?

• Do you want them to be inspired and emotionally connected to the organization?

• Should they be motivated to buy, invest in, or do more work with your organization?

• Are you looking to sell more of an existing product or service? Or a new offering? The board of Sponsors Exhibitors
executives
Or improve service levels?

• Is there learning to impart that must be contextualized and applied following the
event to achieve this?

Donors and funders Participants

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 8


Lead with empathy, putting yourself in the shoes of your
key stakeholders. Design, keeping them top of mind, and
vet your thinking with your team, clients/management,
and potentially even a focus group involving key
stakeholders. What do your stakeholders want?
While it varies, the following are generally desired:

All Stakeholders seek: Board and Executives seek:


• Access to connections they cannot make by staying in their own office • Opportunity to share a message and either optimize retention or attract
or environment new supporters (members, sponsors, talent)

• Time and space for the development of deeper connections • Maximize profitability

• Ideas they can implement for professional or personal improvement Participants seek:
that address their personalized needs or interests • Information they can act upon to improve their business; emotional
connection through storytelling or engagement with a speaker or peer
Sponsors and Exhibitors seek:
group (vs. online or digital information)
• Warm leads for key decision makers to interact and follow-up with
• The opportunity to contextualize or validate with their peer network in
• Access to potential new clients or untapped sectors
a face-to-face environment

• Face-time with executives or officials who are often difficult to access


• The chance via social channels to show they are actively engaged in an
due to gatekeepers
event and build profile

• Opportunity to elevate their brand, whether that’s through


• To be entertained/have access to high profile, VIP level performances –
sponsorship, exhibit space or thought leadership/speaking
music, sport, niche areas of interest

• To share their access to this information or entertainment within their


virtual social networks to build influence
Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 9
The next challenge is to show value to each type of stakeholder based on their needs, • Space for hallway meetings and intersections to happen; formal or informal
validating with the data you have available, gathered across multiple channels which are discussion points
readily available today. This may be:
• Visibility for your key sponsors and partners
• In-person conversations in formal or informal settings
• Good flow, including to areas that may seem “less desirable”, by using tools such as
• Data gathered through mobile or digital means pre, on-site and post-event gamification or clever food and beverage placement

• Post-event surveys or focus groups • Presenters and presentations aligned to overall desired outcomes with content and
delivery primed for maximum impact
• Social listening on multiple channels of engagement
• Learning spaces designed for specific uses and aligned to targets. This may include a
As you begin to have clear, usable, and consistent data, you will reveal more about the
combination of formats i.e. one to many, peer-group learning, workshops, etc
people who participate and what their needs are. You can then begin to both market and
design in more meaningful ways. • Opportunity for reflection, quiet time or space for those who still need to get work
done or require a few moments of privacy

Great Strategy Requires Prioritization • Charging and recharging for both participants and their devices; consider food as
You can’t do it all, this is a simple truth you must adhere to. There is never an infinite fuel for the day
budget, and choices always need to be made. Designing an event is always part art and
• Digital tools which may include partner recognition, wayfinding, access to
part science, using the framework you have available based on the size and type of
information via mobile, social sharing and two-way communication with organizers
meeting, the location and venue, and ultimately the objectives as your guideposts to
and presenters, and that can even be used in the event of an emergency to share
prioritization.
critical real-time information
Event design is about creating spaces that are safe and comfortable, that create a
• Positive surprises, from pop-up food stands to performances that engage or
sense of anticipation and build energy within the participants as they move through it.
entertain, this is up to your imagination!
The environment should align and support the brand through relevant messaging and
content. Today, technology at a level appropriate to your organization and participants Elements that engage the participant will create more memories and enhance their
should be enabled with an ease of access to available information. overall experience1. When the mind is opened by experiences, neurochemicals that
promote learning are activated, and the overall results - more connections, more
As you strategize your outcomes, you may consider any or all of these in your design:
context, more relevance - are positively impacted.
• An entrance that sets the tone for the event and creates a sense of beginning;
aligned with the brand

• A flow that is safe and welcoming through all spaces; with great wayfinding

• Efficient use of the space so it doesn’t feel too vast or too closed in

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 10


Event ROI Measurement With a current shift towards more personalized, immersive and experiential events in
highly branded environments with multiple touchpoints, we have the opportunity to
The ideal Return on Investment (ROI) is when each participant, stakeholder and all embed technology and measurement at every turn, but often still lean toward the “that
those who invested their resources into the event feels richer for the experience. was cool” measurement. When we have a deep level of event design with embedded
platforms, there is also often a greater expense and therefore we should be using both
quantitative and qualitative measurements to prove the value of a “softer” event to your
financial stakeholders who are seeking solid, quantifiable results.

In the recent, pre-mobile generation of events (pre-2007 arguably) our return on


investment was measured by sales directly tied to one source – a trade show or event. In
our digital environment, the event may be the live, often “turning” touchpoint in a series of
The buyers want The sellers/sponsors/exhibitors, have marketing and sales messaging ranging from email to social media, traditional advertising
to buy developed or deepened relationships, noting
that not every event has immediate sales to inbound leads and ubiquitous cookies leading consumers back to us over and over.

While some events have a “check your mobile at the door” policy now, this is not the norm.
Overall, events offer us data-rich environments we can measure. Every mobile device is
full of sensors, from Bluetooth to location beacons, allowing us to collect data (and push
information), with and without a specific event app. When we combine this with geolocators,
facial recognition, sentiment analysis, smart buildings, including convention centers,
stadiums, and hotels, the reality is, the data is already available if we want to take advantage
of it. We need to move past any residual fear and explore options to enhance and evaluate
The organization recognizes The participants leave richer from the
the value in hosting the experience, with actionable, implementable our participant experiences and use the data to enhance our event designs year-over-year.
event ideas and a desire to return again

Designing Purposeful Events Matters


In today’s personalized, digital, mobile age we can use a variety of tools from immediate Events must be seen as worthwhile, and to varying extents, transformative, with
sentiment analysis, to mid-event surveys and real-time responses that allow for a measurable change in behavior, attitude or knowledge for participants and
consistent, current, data which provide immediate results showing if you are indeed stakeholders. As event designers, we set the stage for the ideas to be shared and
getting the desired engagement. the environments for interactions to happen, but it is the active participation and
engagement, whether enabled by technology, a great meal, an awe-inspiring moment or
a presenter incited discussion… any reason that leads to listening, sharing, discussion,
Use Data and Measure Event Success reflection, play, and connection creates those memorable moments that add to and
There is certainly a range of measurements, especially from organizations that are create the events people want to return to.
deeply invested in Strategic Meeting Management Programs (SMMP) and reliant on
data to drive buying decisions for travel, meetings, and events, with strong processes to
track spending and return.

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 11


How do you create more than an event?
To create a transformative experience and put into practice all of the things discussed in
this report, experience designers need to start from a solid framework and a strategic
approach and event planning process.

We hope that you are fired up by the inspiration and ideas already provided. Here is
a summary of the six-step strategy framework every event designer should follow to
elevate their event to an experience.

Step 1: Identifying and Visualizing Your Key


Stakeholders
We covered how the first step is to determine who exactly your stakeholders are.
For most events, there will be more than one and each key group will be looking for
different things.

Determine the people that matter:


• Create a long list of all the different people that matter to your event,
which could include participants, sponsors, speakers, exhibitors,
influencers, press, staff, the board, donors, funders, and suppliers

• Determine the most critical stakeholders and prioritize them in terms


The Event Experience Framework:
of importance. This will determine whose experience expectations you
address first

6 Steps to Success • Develop personas for your primary stakeholders to identify their key
characteristics, preferences, and messaging that will resonate with
by Becki Cross them the most

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 12


Step 2: Determining The Primary Event Step 3: Understanding the Event Budget
Objectives for Different Stakeholders and Spending in the Right Places
Experience design requires a clear understanding of the various objectives. Analyzing Virtually all event budgets are limited and need to be carefully planned to ensure that
precisely what each stakeholder is looking for can help to focus on delivering exactly money is spent where it matters most and think creatively to get the most from the
what they need. funds available.

Dig deep and identify what success will look like: Be number-focused to stay on track:

• Identify your stakeholders and the business • Create an event budget with estimated figures to
challenge(s) they each want to overcome. help to calculate the required budget, income targets,
Rank in order of priority the top three or five wishes that would make and break-even point
the event a success from the perspective of each target group
• Record actual figures, in place of the estimated
• Quantify exactly what success would look like.
For instance, exhibitors might be looking for 20 brand new leads but
figures, as soon as budget items are confirmed and
the board might be looking for making a profit of $50k from the event committed to

• Create realistic milestones to track progress towards • Have a contingency figure, a percentage of the
different goals. overall budget, to deal with any shortfalls for
This might be selling half of all of the event tickets at least 10 weeks essential or wishlist items
before the event and 75% six weeks before

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 13


Step 4: Process Mapping the Experience Mix Step 5: Visualizing the Event Outcomes for
An experience is created through a mix of different factors and elements - the
Shared Priorities and Alignment
Experience Mix. How it flows and is woven together needs careful planning.
Visual tools can be used to show what the event will look like, both in terms of the
Identify the opportunities to make a difference: physical design, layout, and production, and also determining what success will look like
for the different stakeholders.
• Use a wall or whiteboard to list the major
touchpoints throughout the event process for each of Envisage what success will look like:
the key stakeholder groups. • Floor plans, dressing, decor, furniture, and AV
The journey for an attendee will be different from a speaker or
production can be brought to life using 3D imaging
sponsor. The flow needs to be well thought out from each different
perspective and span before, during and after the event and mock-ups for the different rooms and spaces.
This is particularly useful for staff, vendors and management to
• Use sticky notes to list the opportunities and ideas at understand the vision and to refine the plans in the lead up to the event

each touchpoint. • Consider the feeling you are aiming to leave the
• This can be little touches through to big elements
stakeholders with at each touchpoint and the
• • Take into account different spaces within the event floor plan
behavior of the stakeholders
What do you expect them to hear, see, feel at each point in the journey?
• Specifically, consider brand alignment and messaging
throughout the different touchpoints. • What is the outcome (exiting behavior) from the
• This is more than a logo presence, these should be tangible ways to
stakeholders who have invested in the event? What
communicate the brand and bring to life the organization culture
and ethos
are the longer-term behavior changes and impacts
you expect to have after the event, at specific time
• • For example, design meaningful interactions in the marketplace,
thought leadership sessions, hands-on participation opportunities,
intervals?
and social media reach

• Technology can enhance the attendee journey at


many different touchpoints, before, during and after
the event. This is covered in detail in the next section.

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 14
Step 6: Accurate Reporting to Measure ROI • • To use the earlier examples to illustrate further:

Offer lead retrieval software so exhibitors can track


and the Success of the Event •
the leads they collect at the event and you have a
The final step in the experience design planning framework is to think scientifically • universal view of all activity recorded
in terms of the tools that can help you extract the data you need. You are looking to
• Use event management software to track registration
measure results against the objectives identified at the beginning of the experience
revenue in real time and enable all event income and
design process (Step Two). •
expenditure to be recorded and analyzed against
Event planners need to measure event ROI to prove the value specific to each group • targets and estimated figures
of stakeholders. Event design is often focused on long-term behavior change and also
ensuring continuous improvements year-on-year. Experimental event design must be • Use a mix of quantitative and qualitative data to give
data-driven to prove value and keep getting results.
a rounded picture
Prove the success of your event: Stats and figures are important but survey data and feedback from
stakeholders can also be valuable
• Take each objective identified against the different
stakeholders in Step Two and define how it will be • The hits and misses can be used to identify what was
measured and tracked done well, and most importantly what improvements
• Think about the data that can be accessed through different tools need to be made
and the combination of information which will prove the objective
• • Use this as an opportunity to brainstorm and set targets for
has been achieved
improvements and changes at the next event

• • This should be done immediately after the event ends whilst the
• smallest details are still fresh in everyone’s minds
6 Steps to Developing The Event Experience

Now you have the


strategy and reasons
to strive for an event

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6


experience. Next, let’s
Identifying Determining the Understanding Process Visualizing the Accurate look at the tactics and
and Visualizing Primary Event the Event Mapping the Event Outcomes Reporting to technology that can
Your Key Objectives Budget and Experience Mix for Shared Measure ROI
Stakeholders for Different Spending in the Priorities and and the Success make this happen.
Stakeholders Right Places Alignment of the Event

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 15


The strategy section has already touched on some inspiration and ideas on how to
enhance the event experience. This section will consider how and when technology has
the power to support your meeting design and enhance the event experience in more
meaningful ways.

Below, we have listed some common event touchpoints and goals, and detailed
actionable tactics for how technology can help achieve the desired outcomes. From
the first visit to the event website to the follow up after the event, a mixture of these
elements can help to create and refine the experience mix for your attendees and other
stakeholders.

Event Website and Online Registration


Attendees worldwide are also now more likely to access your online content via mobile
devices (smartphones and tablets) than on a PC2 so it must look and navigate well, even
from small screens. Google gives preference in search results to mobile-optimized sites
with the fastest loading speeds.

0.05s 53% 12%


Using Technology The time it takes a user to Of visits are abandoned if For every one-second

to Elevate the
know if they like your site a mobile site takes longer delay in site load time,
or not, and whether to than three seconds to conversions fall by a
stay or go3 load further 12%4

Event Experience Don’t give any reason for potential attendees to click away, make sure your site is easy
to find, simple to navigate, pleasing to the eye and fast to load. Continually test and
by Becki Cross improve your online user experience.

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 16


Make a good impression right from the start:

• Your website should reflect your brand and event, • Use personalized retargeting to tempt back any
making the key event information readily available potential attendee that started the registration
and easy to find process but didn’t complete
• It needs to present a unified and coherent presence in terms of • For instance, if an abandoned booking visited the line-up and artists
branding, fonts, colors, style, and content page, use retargeting ads to promote to them the newest acts added
to the program
• • Include visuals and a strong CTA (Call To Action) button in bold
colors so that attendees are clear about what they need to do
• Use tagged URLs and bespoke landing pages to serve
• • Use tools such as Google Analytics to make informed decisions up targeted content based on the hook that has
about design and improve the navigation and dwell time across the site
attracted the visitor
• • Collaborate with the marketing team to continually improve the • You want a potential sponsor to hit a page with the benefits of
landing page experience sponsoring the event and important stats, whereas an attendee will
be more interested in special booking rates and what happened at the
• The registration process must be fast and painless event last year
• Limit the process to only the essential questions
• If you are working with ambassadors and influencers
• • Have a single page registration or include a progress bar at the top
and using affiliate links to boost event registrations,
• • Bonus points if you can enable social login, which takes some or all keep your network informed about how many
of the registration data required from a social media platform for the
bookings they have generated and what this means
attendee to check and make any amends before submitting
in terms of their reward (this can be an incentive if
they are close to reaching their next goal target)
Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 17
The Event Entrance and Flow

53%
of retail shoppers base their initial
First impressions matter and a high value is placed in the first face-to-face interaction
perception of the shop and their
that a customer has with a brand. A poor start can negatively impact what happens
decision to buy on the appearance
next. The persistence of the first impression will color the rest of the experience and so
of the store exterior6.
it is essential to get it right5. The same retail principles apply to events.

Deliver a fast and seamless entrance to the event to put attendees in the
right frame of mind:

• Ensure there are no queues by enabling automatic • Digital signage and live display can be an efficient and
check-in via the event app as a participant enters appealing way to welcome and direct attendees
the space • Make it clear which entrance to use, the location of the registration
• For super speedy check-in, use facial recognition technology desks and the flow into and around the event

• • Most importantly, if any rooms or locations change during the event


• Use a check-in tool or guest list app to prompt the updates can be shared quickly to keep attendees informed
team member to share additional personalized
• • Try to anticipate your guests every thought and identify where they
information when relevant for the guest
may need more help navigating your event
• This might be instructions for VIPs to be given special swag or a
request for a speaker to go immediately to a specific place for a briefing
• Incorporate a cashless payment system and
• AV and production can start from outside the venue attendees will appreciate not having to queue at
by using lighting projections onto the building service points
• Inside, clever lighting can create different effects to transform • This can increase sales volumes and teach you a lot about attendee
rooms and spaces preferences and patterns too

• • Consider creating a tunnel or hidden entrance to enter the event • • This can improve the event in real time (for example adding more
and make an impact when the next space is revealed staff to work in the busiest areas) and inform changes for future events
(such as changes to the site plan in terms of F&B location and footprint)

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 18


Networking
If networking is one of the outcomes your attendees are craving, your
event design needs to give time and priority to quality networking
Promote better connections:
opportunities. According to research, informal professional networks
and communities can contribute more to entrepreneurial success • Use a matchmaking tool to identify those that
than other business support mechanisms available7. And of course, if
have shared interests and can help each other
you can capitalize on powerful networking interactions at your event,
• Some apps prioritize or give a percentage score for the matches that
attendees are going to remember the experience in a favorable light.
are expected to be most fruitful

• • Attendees have limited time at events so their time should be well


spent with the most lucrative and beneficial opportunities

• Instead of leaving it to chance, use smart badge


technology to introduce matches to each other
• Smart badges light up or vibrate when a suggested target is close by

82%
• • This can also act as a welcome ice-breaker to avoid awkwardness for
those less confident in meeting new people

• Ask qualifying questions on the registration form to


analyze the different job roles attending in relation to
your core personas
• If you identify that there is a shortage of registrations from a
particular target group this gives the opportunity to find out what
the barriers are for them, adjust messaging and actively approach
of event planners, networking is more potential participants that meet that criteria
the top priority for those attending
corporate and business events8

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 19


54% of event planners are struggling to
secure sponsors for their event9 Attract and keep event sponsors more effectively by incorporating the
clever use of technology and accurate reporting:

• Create co-branded invitations, landing pages, and


social media images to encourage sponsors to
invite their network to attend the event
17% of event planners say that sponsorship
retention is falling for their events10
• This can open up your event to a whole new audience you may not
otherwise have reached

• Forget about logo placement and banner stands, a


well-matched sponsor can work in partnership with
Sponsor Visibility the event planner to create something that really
Revenue from sponsors can be vital to delivering an experience that
adds to the event
• Pick event sponsors wisely and design a participative or immersive
matches the event planner’s vision. Sponsorship revenues can pay for
experience that attendees want to get involved in
elements that would not otherwise be possible.

• • Activities that take people outside of their comfort zone or offer


Savvy event sponsors are keen to work with event planners
something exciting and shareable across social media are good moves
and know that they need to contribute to the overall consumer
experience with impressive on-site brand activations. Traditional • • Virtual swag bags and sponsored lounge areas are branded
approaches of the past and pressured sales pitches are not the sponsorship items that can deliver value and align in a more
best way to capture imaginations and engage closely with modern meaningful and measurable way
attendees. The live-event presence should be part of a wider
and coherent sponsor communication strategy in terms of event • New technology is always a winner to attract
marketing and digital content.
attention towards event sponsors, especially if it
enables attendees to try out the next big thing they
want to experience and share it with their networks
of live music attendees favor the • Consider an iPad magician, a silent disco or a green-screen

89% brands that sponsor the experience,


compared to non-attendees11
photobooth where specially customized backdrops can be chosen

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 20


• Encourage sponsors to avoid pressurized sales ‘Surprise and delight’ is proven to be a winning strategy to keep interest strong and gain
loyalty and recognition through more emotional connections13. Surprise is arguably the
pitches and create a space where attendees want
most powerful marketing tool14 that you need to build your event experience.
to be
• Create a chill-out area, with fast WiFi and re-charging points Shake up your event experience mix and use tech to offer something
awe-inspiring:
• • Ask users of a product to be at the exhibition booth to give honest
• With only 8% of the UK population having experienced Virtual Reality (VR)15 and
advice, insights and product demos
33% in the US16 it is still a novelty and something to capture the attention of event
attendees. Using VR goggles or simulators is a sure-fire way to attract attention and
• Ask sponsors to give away knowledge without a catch
interest
• Share free reports and research on social media and the number
of shares and digital downloads is likely to skyrocket and give positive • Do something out of the ordinary that requires group participation or a shared
brand association experience. This might be dining 150 ft in the sky, using pulsating, glowing
wristbands in a concert setting or transporting guests to another time and making
• • Attendees can thank the sponsor with a Tweet or Like or Share if
them part of the action through actors, costumes, and stage sets
they wish
• For social media sharing and FOMO moments, use a confetti or giant balloon drop
• Track interest in terms of email open rates, that everyone will want to snap and share with their network
social media interactions and visits/clicks to the
• Have a hologram present to the conference delegation from the other side of the
sponsor’s website. world.
• Cookies can be used to identify the visitors referred to the sponsor’s
website and even to track any sales made during that or subsequent • Use robots to interact with attendees during the refreshment break or hand out
visits. If the sponsor’s motivation is increasing exposure to a new samples from an exhibition stand
audience then tracking the sales made as a result of these
• Use drones to capture 360-degree access all area footage of performers at the
introductions gives powerful data to keep sponsors coming back
event
and investing in your event and striving to offer bigger and better
activations each time • Create an immersive environment with clever theming, AV, production and
imagination
Add the Wow Factor to Entertainment
• Have iPad artists sketching a caricature for every guest to print and take home as a
Entertainment can go a long way in terms of offering something out of the ordinary memento
and something attendees want to brag about! Fjord, the interactive digital design and
innovation arm of Accenture, created the ‘Love Index’ which focuses on five primary • Offer a digital graffiti station where attendees can create and print out their own
marketing attributes and outcomes which create an overall experience; fun, relevant, event merchandise
engaging, social, helpful . Designed as a guide for digital interactions, they are also
12

useful benchmarks for live events.

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 21


Exhibitors
Similar to sponsorships, exhibitors can help to provide a valued
part of an event, as well as precious event income which gives
event designers the freedom to add more to the Experience Mix.
Make sure your exhibition rocks:
Eventprofs don’t want any element of their events to be standard
so by training and supporting your exhibitors you can shake up the • Exhibition stands have come a long way from boring table-top displays
exhibition floor to ensure they get more from their investment and and the grey walls of shell scheme. Support your exhibitors to be more
add to the overall appeal of the event. Exhibitions can also be a creative and tech-savvy in their approach, using touch screens, gaming,
hotbed to launch new products and this exclusivity can cement your even AR (Augmented Reality) to stand out. AR can enable exhibitors
event in terms of innovation and making your event unmissable. to share products that would not otherwise have made the event - for
In return, exhibitors are more likely to get the interactions and instance bulky, large, delicate or difficult to transport items.
qualified leads they crave so that they will keep coming back and
• Train exhibitors on the dos and don’ts of exhibiting and it will pay off in
investing more into the event.
terms of the number of conversations they will have. Use lead retrieval
Design a more interactive and appealing show floor and technology to make it easy for them to accurately record leads ready
educate and inspire exhibitors about the possibilities of taking a for follow-up after the event. This tech should include the opportunity
different approach. to specify what additional information the attendee wants to receive,
which staff member spoke to them, identify high priority leads and
add specific notes to enable a more personalized approach. One of
the biggest opportunities lost is that 62% of exhibitors don’t ever
follow-up after a show18. Sending out general group mailings instead of
of attendees say the personalized contact is another common mistake

63%
top deal breaker is
• A virtual goody bag is a good way to give exposure in the lead up to the
when a vendor is selling,
event. Exhibitors can offer a giveaway to people that sign up for their
not educating17
mailing list, which can be unlocked when attendees visit their booth at
the event. Everyone likes a high-quality freebie or perk!

• Use push notifications to entice more visitors to key booths with


special offers triggered by passing beacons in specific areas. This can
raise excitement levels if the deals are worthwhile

If the show floor is an exciting part of the event, attendees are going
to spend longer exploring and be encouraged to connect more
closely with the exhibitors that most appeal to them.

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 22


Business Deals
Face-to-face interactions are important in business dealings. Research
has proven that handshakes increase cooperative behaviors, which
have a positive effect on negotiation and deal-making19. Networking can be a way individuals build their personal and organization influence and
cement their social standing against their peers. Attendees are sure to remember and
appreciate business wins which came about as a direct result of your event.

Maximize the deals done face-to-face:


• Use matchmaking software to bring together or mix up guests in a

93% 90% seating plan to create interesting opportunities to meet new people,
socialize or participate in group work

• Use tech to identify business opportunities and bring the right people
together. For instance, if an attendee is seeking a particular product or
service they will appreciate finding it at your event
say meetings improve their say meetings help with
ability to close deals20 networking21 • Develop online communities and conversations to create relationships
before the event to create familiarity and face-to-face networking
opportunities. Interactions can also be nurtured online after the event

• Choose a registration system that syncs with your preferred CRM for
up to date information and history about each of your customers. Use

88% this data to entice them to sign up for events they have attended in the
past or send them a special discount code on their birthday

say they meetings help them


grow professionally22

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 23


Maximize the learning opportunities at your event through tech and give participants
Education and Learning what they crave:

Learning is the second most important motivation to attend events. • Make learning more interactive and fun throughout your event by using
Education, through programming, content, speakers, and exhibits, audience response systems for live Q&A, quick polls, and feedback
is a key event consideration and an important part of the event which the speaker can use to adapt and direct the content of their
experience. An event needs to keep interest levels high and should presentation in real time to ensure it is relevant and customized to
spark ideas and energy in participants. what the audience needs most

• Use collaborative documents to invite participants to answer


questions, such as asking medical students to identify anomalies in
an x-ray. The trainer can then reveal a heat map showing the group
responses or highlight and discuss individual answers in an engaging

71% Of attendees to corporate


events, say learning learning is
and informative way. Learning in this way is much more memorable and
attendees will stay more focused and attentive as a result
important23.
• At business events, group activities and shared problem solving
between colleagues and peers can be one of the most powerful
elements of the event. Tech can be used for partner work to record
pledges or introduce a completely different approach, such as a
hackathon event format, where small groups collaborate to solve a

91%
Of respondents feel that keeping problem and create a solution within a set timeframe
up with their profession and
• Track long-term learning and retention by repeating a proficiency
industry is a top reason to attend
test at an agreed date after the event to see if the scores improved on
an event24.
results from before or during the event. Significant improvements will
prove the value of your event to the attendee and stakeholders

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 24


Nurture new attendees and keep all participants loyal and returning
to your event:
• Identify from the registration form any first-time attendees and
Keeping Attendees Loyal send them a targeted welcome email to invite them to a closed event
It is easiest and most cost-effective to keep customers coming back than to find new community/thread where they can ask questions, and buddy up and get
ones each time. Longevity of your event requires developing and nurturing a tribe of to know each other before the event
event ambassadors that can help your event to grow. Loyal customers demonstrate
• Via the CRM, offer a loyalty scheme to reward loyal attendees with a
higher rates of satisfaction, which can have a positive multiplier effect around the event,
free event ticket after they have attended 10 consecutive events
before, during and after it takes place25.
• Surprise your biggest and most active fans on social media by
offering some free merchandise when they check into the event as an
unexpected thank you.

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 25


Team Building and Bonding
Team building and bonding are most effective through face-to-face
events and, whether this is the focus of the event or a secondary
benefit, the majority agree that team engagement, collaboration,
professional development and productivity are improved by
participation in in-person meetings, conferences, and events. Events
meet our inbuilt desire to build tribes and find other people that share Bring out team spirit and better performance through the clever use of
our primary interests and thoughts26. technology:
• Use technology to mix up attendees and break up cliques or introduce
new team members to their colleagues to encourage faster team
bonding. Attendees will appreciate the opportunity to get to know new

94% 91%
colleagues outside their usual office environment

• Choose an event app with gamification features, including a team


leaderboard, and brings out the competitive nature of your attendees.
Event sponsors can offer enticing prize incentives for the overall
leaderboard winners
say that in-person say that in-person meetings,
meetings, conferences conferences and events • Create a virtual treasure hunt with team challenges via the event app,
and events improves team improves collaboration 28 use Bluetooth to unlock locations or set up clues using AR. Encourage
engagement27 movement and desired behaviors around the event site including to
less visited areas of the floor plan and interactions with key sponsors
and exhibitors

88% 84%

say that in-person meetings, say that in-person meetings,


conferences and events conferences and events
improves professional improves productivity30
development 29

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 26


Reflection and Follow-up Measure Event ROI
Just because the event is over doesn’t mean it should be forgotten - far from it. Your attendees and other stakeholders will have a good idea whether your event has
Attendees will only retain information in the longer-term if it resonates with them and met their expectations and targets. This will be reflected in their satisfaction levels
is delivered in a way that sticks. If something novel grabs your attention, it stimulates immediately after the event and also proven up to six months afterward when they have
specific reactions and chemicals in the brain which give a memory boost . 31
had time to reflect further and follow-up on actions and leads.

Keep your event fresh in the minds of attendees: Tools and techniques can help you measure and report event ROI and
• Use tech to demand a more hands-on and interactive approach deliver an event that continually improves:
to learning. Consider throwable mics, event apps, collaborative • Monitor movement around the event. Heat maps and other tracking
documents or audience response solutions, such as live polling and Q&A methods can identify the areas with the highest footfall and this data
can be used to improve the event layout, sell the most prominent
• Schedule an automated and personalized email to check in with
locations and design purpose-built interventions to encourage more
attendees and see if they have kept up with a specific action they
traffic to less visited areas. Add cool interactions, tech, giveaways,
pledged to undertake as a result of the event
photo opportunities and F&B stations

• Ensure your event technology stack integrates and communicates


• Social listening and sentiment analysis can be used, particularly to
with different products so that data is added to the right place. For
assess the feedback from evaluation forms and social media, and
example, the event sessions attended and feedback submitted should
address any issues that are revealed. You also need to show that you
automatically be added to the CRM record of the relevant attendee.
care and respond back to any concerns raised
This allows a more complete and personalized follow-up after the event
and provides more background information which will help you to • Calculate the cost per conversion for sponsors and exhibitors by
segment your audience more effectively dividing the cost of their involvement in the event by the number
of leads achieved via the lead retrieval tool and the sales revenue
• Use the event app, communication tools such as Slack or the event
achieved (as tracked through cookies on their website)
community social channels to encourage participants to share their
learnings and takeaways from the event. Create a thread for attendees • Use facial recognition technology to identify the reaction of your
to share their personal aims following the event so that others can audience to your event32.
hold them accountable and support them. To keep giving value
and strengthening your ‘event tribe’ work hard to maintain activity
throughout the year, not just around your event date

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 27


Here are the top 10 items discussed in this report to take away with you:

• Event planners need to be experience designers.


Focusing on the logistics and execution is no longer enough, modern
event planners need to think strategically to elevate long-term
outcomes and impact.

• Experience design is based on a solid strategic plan.


Approaching experience design requires understanding of the specific
objectives of the hosts and stakeholders, including the participants.
Start by stating the business challenges your stakeholders want to
overcome by hosting or participating in an event.

• Include unstructured and unplanned elements.


Purposefully plan to give enough time and space during the event for
guests to reflect and contextualize the elements and create a memory
that is relevant. Allow serendipity to happen.

• Design brand alignment and values across


every element.
To bring a brand to life with consistency, and in temporary

In Conclusion
environments, needs deep understanding and awareness of brand values.
Every element must align with the organization’s values, and make sense
so it is appealing to the audience and creates the desired response.

The age of running events and focusing only on • Rethink every element and move beyond the obvious.
Don’t do things according to history or tradition. Ask difficult questions
logistics planning is over. Event professionals and delve into the layers that go beyond the obvious to find the “why”
and create a purpose-designed event experience.
are looking to create and design experiences
• Tech can elevate to the event experience.
that impact the memory of attendees forever. Event technology, AV, and production can play an essential role in the
event experience mix. For each element you consider, ask how it will
help you get to a positive impact and a measurable outcome.

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 28


• Create a sense of place.
Use elements consistent with the
expectations of the event and brand to
create a sense of anticipation and, ultimately,
immersion with the brand. Create space, flow,
and the particular environments that offer the
best settings for what needs to happen, from
the first entrance to the final departure, to
make sense and deliver on the objectives.

• Content is king.
Experience designers need empathy with the
audience to determine the content that will be
the most meaningful and meet (and exceed)
their needs. This includes determining the
delivery methods and formats that will have
the most impact.

• Creating experiences often results


in shareable FOMO moments.
By designing spaces and experiences that
deliver a wow factor we often encourage
shareable content and ‘fear of missing
out’. In today’s social, digital environment
participants are building their social stature
via images and content and welcome the
opportunity to share with personal networks.

• Events must demonstrate clear


results and ROI.
The experience mix must be seen as
worthwhile and to varying extents,
transformative, with a measurable change
in behavior, attitude or knowledge for
participants and stakeholders.

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 29


Additional Experience Design Resources
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this ebook. In this webinar, you’ll learn creative game attract and retain to ensure maximium event revenue. tools for creating year-round event communities. In
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Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 30


About the Authors
Julius Solaris
Julius Solaris is the editor of Event Manager Blog. Started in 2007, EventMB is the number one blog worldwide for event professionals.
He is the founder of the Event Innovation Lab, an immersive training program for Fortune 500 companies and high-growth event teams.

He has been named one of the 25 most influential individuals in the Meeting Industry.

He is the author of over 10 books on event technology and innovation (The Eventtech Bible, The Good Event Management Software Guide,
The Event App Bible, Meeting Design, The Future of Event Marketing, The Art of Venue Negotiation, the annual Event Trends Report, Social
Media for Events, Engaging Events and The Venue of the Future).

Tahira Endean, CMP, CED


Tahira Endean is a serial event producer, continually curious about how we can design events that better meet the needs of today’s participant
and the stakeholders. The author of Intentional Event Design, Our Professional Opportunity, Tahira speaks frequently across the industry and
instructs Sustainable Event Operations at BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology).

Tahira has been named a MeetingsNet Changemaker and a Meetings Trendsetter: Agents of Change by MeetingsToday (2018)
and is a member of Meetings and Incentives Canada Hall of Fame,

Tahira loves being part of a team that brings ideas alive and is excited for her next adventure. @tahiracreates.

Becki Cross
Becki Cross set up the UK based event management company and SME, Events Northern Ltd, in 2004. Becki has organized events ranging
from conferences to exhibitions, festivals to awards ceremonies, fashion shows to golf tournaments and everything in between. Organizing
conferences and corporate events are Becki’s passion and she believes that conferences should never be boring!

Becki is the Deputy Editor of EventMB, which she describes as her dream job alongside event planning! Follow Becki on Twitter: @beckitrain.

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 31


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www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-novelty-boosts-memory-retention

32. Mashable, Disney is using facial recognition to predict how you’ll react to movies,
accessed via https://mashable.com/2017/07/27/disney-facial-recognition-prediction-
movies/?europe=true#KZrE5VzW2mqa on 19 July 2018.

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 33


Contributers

About EventMB About EventMobi


Event Manager Blog is the most influential website in the meeting and event industry. It EventMobi provides technology that empowers event marketers and planners to create
offers education, innovation, and inspiration through regular articles and industry reports. incredible event experiences. Founded in 2010, EventMobi has been the trusted event
technology platform of over 10,000 clients in 72 countries.
Founded in 2007, EventMB has been widely referenced as the go-to resource for
innovative event professionals wanting to learn more about trends in the event One of the fastest growing tech companies in North America, EventMobi has received
planning industry. worldwide praise for our people and our platform.

EventMB releases industry reports and intelligence about event technology, social From planning to marketing, management to measurement —at every stage of the event
media, and engagement at events. life cycle —we’re there when you need us.

Thousands of event professionals have downloaded EventMB free reports at: Event technology is a critical component of your overall event design.
http://www.eventmanagerblog.com
EventMobi’s Experience Manager helps you manage your event app, registration,
notifications, polls, surveys and games all from a centralized event management
platform.

View a Demo Try It For Free Learn More

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 34


CMP Credits Acknowledgements
Credits and Thanks
This guide would not have been possible without the help of an incredible team of people.

Thank you to:


EventMB is a CMP Preferred Provider accredited by the Events Industry Council and EventMobi - for sponsoring this report.
provides Continuing Education credits for learning activities.
Carmen Boscolo - for making the project a reality.

This report is worth 1 CE Credit! Tahira Endean - for contributing her expertise in experience design to the strategy
section of the report.
To acquire CE credits through this or other reports, webinars and reading material from
EventMB, please refer to http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/cmp Becki Cross, MD of Events Northern Ltd and Deputy Editor of EventMB - for co-writing
and editing.
For more information about the CMP credential or Preferred Provider Program,
please visit: http://www.eventscouncil.org/ Camille Wagner - for project management and support.

Disclaimer
While this report has been sponsored the analysis is completely unbiased.

1 CE Publishing date: August 22, 2018.


CREDIT

Experience Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Memorable Events 35

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