We’re pleased to present the final part of our series that aims to reevaluate the terminology commonly used within the events industry. Our journey towards enhancing the event professional vocabulary has been quite enlightening. If you missed our previous discussions, fear not — we share the previous article links at the end.

In the fiercely competitive landscape of live events, the ability to offer experiences, not only services, is the key to success. As the live events industry continues to evolve, suppliers and vendors must adopt a combination of experience-centric strategies and data-driven solutions to craft winning proposals that stand out in the market. 

In a world where engagement is king, static labels at events are quickly becoming relics of the past. QR codes are stepping in, bridging the gap between physical presence and digital interaction, thereby transforming event experiences and marketing strategies. Let’s dive into how you can leverage QR codes to elevate your event, making it not just memorable but also a treasure trove of data and insights.

In today’s global business landscape, it’s more important than ever to be able to communicate effectively with people from all over the world. When planning an event with a global audience ­– whether a small meeting, large conference or trade show – it’s important to consider how you will engage all your participants. 

Through being in a variety of leadership positions and working closely with other businesses, I’ve seen firsthand the difference in success between companies that prioritize company culture and those that don’t. Many focus their budget on marketing and sales, overlooking the necessity of a happy and loyal team. Investing in employees is key, as low morale often leads to challenges and high turnover rates, which wastes time and resources. By prioritizing employee satisfaction and engagement, retention rates improve, driving motivation, productivity and ultimately, business growth.

Do you have a post-event strategy?

While we pour our time, energy, creativity and strategic thinking into maximizing pre-registrations, there's so much untapped value post-event.

Here are my top five ideas to include in your post-event plan:

Events are a critical part of the corporate ecosystem, and especially the marketing ecosystem. However, as valuable as events are for forming long-term business partnerships and ensuring loyal customers are provided with a unique experience, there are considerations to be made around environmental impact. 

As we all navigate the shifting scientific studies, expectations and regulations around business and sustainability, environmentally-focused events stand out as lighthouses of innovation and green practices. 

What are environmentally-focused events? These are trade shows, exhibitions and conferences that aren’t just events. They’re opportunities. They’re your chance to dive into the world of sustainable events to learn, connect and come away inspired. Let’s walk through the highlights of these events and discover how you can bring their insights into your work.

Events have the power to shape opinions and behaviors, and by aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), the sector can play a significant role in promoting global sustainability and societal well-being, both within itself and among the industries it serves.    

Last June, nearly 100 business events industry leaders and advocates went to Capitol Hill to ask their members of Congress to do three important things:

• Encourage the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to finish its proposed anti-scammer rule
• Advance legislation to help our industry train the next generation workforce
• Introduce legislation to help bring down visa wait times.

So, what has happened since then?