How to Create Memorable Content for Attendees

September 10, 2016

Katie Meitiner

Katie Meitiner is a Senior Producer at FreemanXP, where she is responsible for executing memorable and visionary events on budget, on time, and always flawlessly. View more like this on the FreemanXP blog.

We live in a world of instant gratification, where consumers want targeted information, and they want it fast.

This trend permeates almost every aspect of our lives. Consider our social media accounts – Facebook displays ads in users’ news feeds based on their recent Google searches, and recommendations on who to follow constantly pop up on Twitter.

We consume personalized content on a daily basis (even if we don’t realize it), so it comes as no surprise that the trend is also coming into play at live events. People increasingly expect the events they attend to include carefully curated content programs that are tailored to their wants and needs. 

Pre-lanning the Content for Maximum Effectiveness

To ensure they have a much better shot at delivering relevant and useful content, many event organizers analyze the registration information that attendees provide in the lead-up to the big day. By taking this strategic approach, event organizers are able to develop content that is more relevant to their audience.

Look at who the attendees are–their job titles, industry (if the event is not industry specific), where they are based and even age. Secondly, consider what it is that they want to get out of the event.

Before the event kicks off, assign someone to measure the effectiveness of different sessions over the course of the event, by analyzing things such as how many people are going to a particular breakout, or their engagement levels when responding to live surveys.  It will help you to determine which sessions were well received, and which ones were not so popular, so you can make improvements for next time.

Changing Up the Program

Many brands are opting to reduce the focus on general ‘one size fits all’ sessions and instead create a multitude of more focused breakout sessions or workshops.

Smaller, more intimate sessions often delve into specifically-requested topics, or attendees might be invited to vote on, or suggest particular topics that they would like to discuss.

This approach encourages delegates to openly share their thoughts and ideas, which can then be recorded with the help of graphic facilitation on a whiteboard or similar. When content is recorded in this way, it can be shared with attendees’ post-event, acting as a memento of their event experience.

Content That Extends Beyond the Physical 

With technology becoming more and more advanced, opportunities to tune into an event’s people are content program remotely are on the rise.

This means event professionals need to create content that will engage not only people in the room, but those who are tuning in from afar. 

Be sure to provide a platform where both audiences can interact, and employ tools such as second screen technology, so that both audiences can engage with, and respond to the content at hand in real time, while delivering deep insights into what delegates are most interested in.

Content, as they say, is king. However, audiences’ content needs are changing, and now is the time for event organizers and their clients to embrace the multitude of tools available to them, to continue to deliver tailored and therefore interesting and engaging content at events.  

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact