Event management sometimes has a bit of a stigma attached to it, particularly with regards to planning a conference. The word ‘conference’ is packed full of negative connotations, largely because conferences have gradually come to be associated with being boring.
But conferences don’t necessarily have to be boring. Though conferences are designed to achieve a purpose, they can also be entertaining along the way. Embedding entertainment into your conference will make it interesting and memorable, contributing positively towards your company’s brand management and image building.
Conferences as Entertainment
As outlined below, there are a number of ways to avoid planning and executing another boring, monotonous conference:
Appeal
There are endless ways to invite people to your event in a unique and interesting manner. Avoid the easy (and often reproached) option of bulk inviting people to your event through Facebook or Google+. Instead, use alternative techniques (such as blogging) to promote your event and attract a strong audience. Positive social media management also plays an important role here in accurately advertising your event.
Know your Audience
Entertainment means different things to different people. Some people consider Shakespeare to be entertaining whilst others regard Mortal Kombat to be entertaining. Basically, different people see pleasure in different things, so understand your audience before planning the event so that you can accurately appeal to them.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the main purpose of the event?
- Will people from different cultures be attending?
- What is the primary discussion point of the day?
Devise a Narrative
Even if loosely followed, having a narrative will ensure that your event has a solid structure with a clear beginning, middle and end.
It’s the Little Things that Matter
Your narrative doesn’t have to be heavily scripted, but it is essential to make people smile, relax and have fun along the way. Introduce fun elements to your conference, no matter how small. These are the things that attendees will remember weeks after the conference has ended.
To Conclude
Event management doesn’t have to be boring. It can easily be entertaining while achieving its mission. Nobody wants to sit through a long, boring conference without being entertained. Think outside the box and bring entertainment to the forefront of your conference during the planning process.