This week, Sean and Ricky are in the studio talking about something our team has found incredibly helpful in the event planning process: clarity meetings. These meetings are essential to a team looking to stay on the same page when it comes to planning an event. 

Some questions we like to ask during a clarity meeting include:

These meetings should be anywhere from 5 - 30 minutes long, and if done right, can save your team tons of time. We've found that they are also a great way to spark some creative ideas when team members talk through the process together. 

In this episode of Mic Drop Events, we're joined by our friend Natalie Born who gives her valuable insight on facilitating both audiences during a hybrid event. Natalie put these skills to the test during a recent hybrid event and did an amazing job recognizing not only the group in the room but those tuning in online too. This is a skill that many people don't talk about but one that is absolutely vital to the success of a hybrid event. 

Natalie Born is the Founder and Podcast Host of Innovation Meets Leadership and the Vice President of Innovation for Territory Global. Prior to Innovation Consulting, Natalie was the Senior Vice President of Business Development at a mar-tech firm. As an accomplished executive with two approved US patents under her belt and over 15 years of experience leading product development teams, she is consistently willing to share her expertise to ensure companies are designing their products and strategy with the customer at the center of the design. Natalie is a keynote speaker, podcaster, and innovation facilitator. Natalie has worked with organizations such as CareerBuilder, First Data, IHG, and ADP, leading major initiatives in over 18 countries and building a background in acquisition, integration, and international product development.

Be sure to follow Natalie on social: @innovationmeetsleadership

This week on Mic Drop Events we tackle the question of whether or not virtual events are relevant past the pandemic. Considering so many people were introduced to this type of event for the first time during the pandemic, it's only logical to wonder if they will go away once COVID has ended. Recorded during a group discussion in one of our recent Clubhouse rooms, this episode draws from many different voices speaking into this same topic and gives a variety of insights into this concept. We talk about the longterm benefits of virtual events, the importance of inclusivity in events, and what the future of the event industry could look like. Check it out!

Be sure to check out our guests online:

Team building is an important part of maintaining a cohesive team, whether they are in-person or remote. This episode of Mic Drop Events features a conversation had on Clubhouse between Elevate team members Ricky and Sean as well as Robert Dunsmore who offers his own insight on team building in the current workplace. 

The conversation jumps through a variety of topics like team building at a banquet or awards ceremony and the idea of virtual team building with icebreaker games. 

Beyond that, we talk about some of the recent events we have planned (and some we are currently planning) that incorporate these team building activities. This was such a fun conversation and great for anyone looking to plan an engaging event or activity for their own team. 

Be sure to check out Robert on Instagram!

Bryan Kramer, author of Shareology, joins us in the studio this week to offer some memorable Mic Drop moments. Bryan's unique perspective centers around the idea of connecting with an audience by understanding them as unique individuals. 

He breaks down the six categories that most customers relate to, including:

Knowing your audience will allow you to make better connections and decisions for the event you are planning. For this reason, Bryan created a quiz designed to help people better understand themselves and their customers. 

Beyond that, how people share and how they show up are two important factors that Bryan considers when planning for his own customers. We hope you enjoy this conversation and that it helps you better understand yourself and those who will be attending your event.

Be sure to check out Bryan and his company online!

Do you ever overcomplicate your events? We've been there, and you likely have too (even if you didn't realize it). This week, Sean talks about some of the ways we prepare for events and how you can practically prepare for your own events. It all comes down to four simple steps leading up to the event:

Give these a try at your next event, and let us know how it goes!

Who else is ready to get back to the pre-Covid event world? As more and more businesses are deciding to host in-person and hybrid events, many people are asking questions they haven't had to ask in over a year concerning the process of live events. This week, Billy and Sean discuss the changes that are taking place in the world of events and how businesses can logically navigate those while making the best possible decisions for their team. 

Companies who choose to offer in-person gatherings need to realize that connection is more important than content, especially for groups who haven't been in the same room together for a while. It's also important to remember that online audiences shouldn't be discounted when returning to live events. With many people continuing to work from home in the coming years, restricting an event to just an in-person audience might leave out a large group of people who could make your event even more engaging. 

In a big picture look at the future of events, Sean and Billy express their belief that the companies that will win in the next decade are those that listen to their employees and take different ideas into consideration. World class event experiences require innovation and vision from a diverse group of people, and that often starts with connection!

This week, Sean breaks down the different types of networking that can be done live, virtually, or through a hybrid format. While some people prefer live networking events for the energy they can bring, Sean argues that virtual platforms can offer the same level of excitement and engagement. 

Our favorite platforms to use for networking are Clubhouse and LinkedIn, and we love Zoom for actually connecting in a more personal way. Whatever direction you decide to take for your networking event, remember to have something for people to do that unites them under something common!

Be sure to check out Twine, a virtual and hybrid networking platform. 

And don't forget to check out elevate.tips for all of our best content!

This week we are joined by the President of Urban Enterprises, Shayne Walsey. Urban Enterprises has been operating for over forty years and specializes in staffing, distribution, and event planning. As a people-oriented company, a lot of changes had to be made in their operations at the start of the pandemic. 

In our interview, Shayne talks about her experience working with different clients and the power of saying "yes" when faced with unknown circumstances. Her insights are sure to inspire you in your own journey creating events that people love!

To learn more about Shayne's company, check out Urban Enterprises online.

If you want to reach out to Shayne and her team, send them an email!

This week, we were joined by Mia Masson, Content Director at Swapcard and expert in the world of hybrid events. She has firsthand knowledge and experience in this particular industry that so many people are discovering and thinking about for the first time. 

Our conversation starts with an overview of her thoughts on virtual, hybrid, and in-person events, as well as some predictions of where she thinks the majority of events will take place in the near future. In a world that is opening back up to live events but that is also incredibly connected virtually, hybrid events are the logical solution to accommodate both forms of connection. 

She concludes her time with us by breaking down a comprehensive list of all the things you should consider when going hybrid. And trust us, you don't want to miss it!

Be sure to connect with Mia on LinkedIn.

And check out Swapcard online.