Event Curation: The Role of Empathy and Curiosity in Event Design

Gearing up to host your first large-scale event? Imagine creating an experience that leaves attendees raving about its thoughtful design and inclusivity. In this interview, we delve into the incredible mind of Rachel Coddington, a seasoned event producer with a wealth of experience from prestigious gatherings like Design Week Portland and the renowned XOXO festival.

Rachel has spent years meticulously curating attendee experiences that cater to diverse attendee needs. From the art of pre-planning to the magic of on-site adaptability, Rachel's shares a roadmap for aspiring community leaders who want to host next-level experiences for their audience.

Plus, emphasizing the power of empathy, inclusivity, and practicality, the intersection of event strategy, audience understanding, and the delicate balance between creativity and logistics.

Creating Connections: The Journey of Being Boss from Podcast to Community Hub

Emily Thompson, a powerhouse in the realm of creative entrepreneurship, has the hands on experience of moving her online audience into a community connected in the real world. As the co-founder and host of Being Boss, Emily spearheaded a community and podcast that boasts over 12 million downloads. With over a decade of experience, Emily has been on the forefront of empowering creatives to monetize their passions and build sustainable online business models.

In this interview, we delve into Emily's experiences and advice for creatives looking to take their online communities to the next level and foster deeper relationships. We discuss how Being Boss went from a podcast to a strong community that still lives on despite the podcast ending last year.

ArticlesNessa JimenezMarch 5, 2024in person events, online community, community, community building

Creating Engaging Learning Experiences: Lessons from Live Training

The effectiveness of online educational content for small business owners isn’t just about the logistics of good delivery but the psychology of engagement and authenticity. We recently had a chat with Breanne Dyck, co-founder of the Visionary CEO Academy, and she talked about why she prefers live sessions over prerecorded videos for her events and how embracing the imperfection of being live trumps the glossy exterior of pre-scripted recordings.

It's all part of a deliberate strategy rooted in her blend of coaching and consulting, aptly coined "coach-sulting”, where the human touch is most important. By embracing imperfection, she’s disarming intimidation and fostering genuine connections and uses it to shape a community where vulnerability is celebrated, not shunned.

In the midst of this authenticity, Breanne doesn't lose sight of the endgame: outcomes! Drawing from her background in education, she emphasizes the importance of outcome-driven learning experiences, where every interaction is a tool for guiding people to make new and different choices.

As she aptly puts it, "Teaching isn't about what you can tell someone, it's about what they understand." And understanding, at its core, is a deeply human experience.

Read our full interview with Breanne Dyck below and you can find out more about the Visionary CEO Academy here.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Community Management, Emotional Labor and Building Better Professional Relationships

Tara McMullin is a wordsmith, podcast maestro, and creative mind deeply entrenched in the realm of understanding the present and future of work. Tara sat down with us to discuss, among other things, community management, emotional labor, our relationship with work and how these intertwine to influence how we connect as human beings.

How to Increase Attendee Interaction and Engagement at a Conference

Part of the conference organizing process is giving thought to how to cultivate and encourage attendee interaction and engagement. Attendee engagement is the level at which conference attendees actively participate and interact with an event.

Engaged attendees are fully present, attentively listening to speakers, engaging in lively discussions with fellow attendees, and actively participating in workshops. Disengaged attendees might be busy with their phones, attending few or no workshops, and only superficially interacting with others.

We host conferences to create an environment that encourages engagement and attendee interaction. The energy of a live event is unparalleled, but it takes deliberate effort from conference organizers to cultivate this interaction and engagement.

ArticlesNessa JimenezAugust 22, 2023attendee journey, attendee interaction, attendee experience

Code of Conduct Essentials: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting and Implementing a Stellar Code of Conduct Policy for Conferences

A code of conduct policy is a set of accepted rules and norms for acceptable behavior at an event. It applies whether it's held online or in-person and it goes beyond the basic principles of common courtesy. It defines a framework of expected behavior for everyone associated with the conference. This includes attendees, speakers, and staff.

Gone are the days when conferences could rely on assumed social norms to dictate interactions. With the evolving landscape of events, codes of conduct have become a must. Attendees have come to expect these policies to be in place at the conferences they attend. As policies have evolved, there is an increased focus on inclusivity and diversity.

A code of conduct makes it possible for event organizers to foster a welcoming environment where participants can focus on learning, networking, and engaging in meaningful conversations. A well-crafted code of conduct policy not only protects attendees, but shapes the identity and reputation of an event.

ArticlesNessa JimenezAugust 15, 2023event strategy, code of conduct

What is Event Design? How Can It Help Make Your Events Stand Out?

Event design is the art and science of creating a unique and memorable experience for your guests. It involves creating a cohesive plan that takes into account all the elements of the event, from the venue to the activities, the décor and beyond.

The goal of event design is to ensure that all aspects of the event work together to create an unforgettable experience for your attendees. This means understanding the event goals, developing creative concepts, and executing them in order to create a successful event.

Learn the ins and outs of event design here.

ArticlesNessa JimenezAugust 8, 2023event design, event strategy

Organizing a Conference: What it really takes from Start to Finish

Do you feel the pressure to execute every detail flawlessly? The reality is that organizing a conference can be a daunting task, with many moving parts that require careful coordination. But don't worry, we're here to help!

As experts in conference production with years of experience, we’ve taken care of everything from logistics to ensuring a smooth experience for attendees. While it’s impossible to encapsulate everything into one post, we put together this article to share our insights and tips on what it takes to organize a great conference from start to finish.

ArticlesNessa JimenezJune 22, 2023organizing a conference, conference planning

Conference Speakers for Your Next Event: The Ultimate Guide to Find and Book the Best

Great speakers bring credibility to your event. They inspire great conversation and motivate the audience into action. But, how do find and invite the perfect speakers for your conference?

You really have 2 options:

Hire event professionals to source and manage speakers for you.
Research and negotiate with speakers yourself (DIY).

Here we'll focus on the DIY element. We'll teach you to find and book the perfect speakers for your next event. We’ll also walk you through what to do once you’ve booked them to keep the relationship going.

ArticlesNessa JimenezMay 24, 2023conference speakers

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