What are conference attendees are looking for?
- inspiration,
- motivation, and
- connections.
The benefits of a great event from the attendees point of view – a few of the many twitter responses I received:
Twitter followers were consistent in identifying the benefits that matter to conference attendees.
Is your event promoting the right benefits?
Inspirational and motivational speakers give away their material online all the time. The best ones share their presentations by video, audio recordings and slideshare to those not even at your event in both live and recorded formats. AND THAT”S A GOOD THING!
Don’t confuse the value of your conference with the information that is being presented.
In general,
- information is free.
- ability to communicate information is also basically free.
What are attendees paying for?
- inspiration,
- motivation, and
- connections!
4 ideas for conference and event planners:
- Give away the free stuff: You will not only encourage presenters to share their material beyond the walls, you’ll prepare for it by providing support for live and recorded streaming of your event, publicizing twitter hashtags and sharing presentations on your conference Web site. Non-attendees can peak into the window on what they are missing! Their thirst for what attendees are getting will inspire future attendance.
- Provide ample time and space for chit-chat before and after conference sessions. If you know the value of your event is in the motivation, inspiration and personal connections between attendees you will provide a conference schedule that encourages informal dialogue between attendees.
- Use conference facilities that provide free or almost free Internet access and ample places to plug-in or recharge connected devices. Your attendees will help your event reach an audience beyond the walls and help your event grow by leaps and bounds. Remember, your fans are your best marketers!
- Educate conference attendees and presenters about live streaming and twittering. Help presenters feel comfortable without continuous eye contact with attendees and publicize hashtags and backchannel conversation. See @pistachio‘s post on the matter of Twittering during presentations.
What do you see as the real value of your favourite conference or event?
ps. MANY THANKS to my Twitter followers for taking the time to share your thoughts! You continue to inspire and motivate me. I value our connection.
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