Event Management

As we emerge from the pandemic, event professionals know the question is no longer whether to hold an event on-site or virtually, but how to effectively manage both so they complement each other. Over the past 12 months, organizers have come to appreciate the advantages of the virtual format and how it allows them to extend their reach and collect data that is useful during the event and afterwards.

A few weeks ago, we showed you a gallery of creative gifts certain to delight your clients and business associates. Today we've decided to write a complete guide on how to plan and prepare gifts so you'll be ready.

We're all happy to receive a thoughtful gift—especially when it hits the mark: creative yet practical. Since we like to plan ahead, we believe now is the ideal time to avoid the November rush and order gifts early.

With an increasing number of hybrid events taking place over the past several months, event managers around the world have found themselves creating two events as one and face the challenge of finding the right connection between these formats. For that reason, we believe the ideal way to unite both audiences is a gift bag distributed to participants of both online and on-site events.

As has happened across numerous sectors worldwide, the event management industry has been transformed by the pandemic that changed our lives. Although we may not fully recognize it yet, it is unlikely—if not impossible—that we will soon, or ever, return to the old normal.

When discussing sustainable events, one key category is communication. Communication includes internal team coordination as well as external messaging to attendees. In that context, the use of mobile applications is often raised.

Sponsors are a crucial part of every event. In an era when even some sponsors need sponsors themselves, it is essential that you impress them with compelling ideas so they choose to join your event and become valuable promoters.

The coronavirus has turned the events world upside down. At some point, in-person events will return — most likely with a surge of bookings in Q2 or Q3 2021 — but the overall feel of events may never be the same.

Wider aisles, a mix of open and segmented booths, and events enhanced by video are just some of the elements expected in 2021 and beyond. What will help restart events is that venues and event managers have been busy redesigning event spaces for a post-pandemic landscape since events were paused in March 2020.

Here's a fun exercise. Mentally go back to the start of 2020 and imagine someone told you this: the event you'll be organizing later this year or next will include multiple locations simultaneously with a virtual audience across several time zones, a mix of pre-recorded content and live presentations, collaboration between on-site and online audiences, and separate networking opportunities for each audience.

As more virtual and hybrid events are organized, the question of attendee engagement becomes increasingly important. Too often, attendees tune in from home while cooking, ironing, cleaning, or playing with their children and listen with only one ear.

Although 2020 brought many hardships and restrictions to event organization, it may have been beneficial by creating a moment of reflection—a pause for people to regroup and reconsider the events they attend. Before the pandemic, attendees were increasingly demanding more from organizers, and what once felt special was no longer enough.