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.
How to Create Memorable Content for Attendees
September 10, 2016
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.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.
Add new comment