Not The Same As Last Year

Most event organisers aren’t trying to exclude people. But when it comes to neurodivergent attendees, that’s exactly what’s happening – unless you're planning with inclusion in mind from the very beginning.

In this episode, Clare chats with Andy Williamson, founder of Welcome Brain, about what a neuro-inclusive event actually looks like (and what it doesn’t). They talk about why making your event accessible for different types of brains isn’t just ethical – it’s practical. It increases your potential audience, boosts attendee satisfaction, and doesn’t have to blow the budget.

Expect honest chat about small changes that make a big difference, why slapping a coloured lanyard on someone isn’t the solution, and how asking for advice (instead of feedback) can go a long way.

What we cover:

– Why “we’ve never had any neurodivergent attendees” is a self-fulfilling prophecy

– The 3-tier checklist that helps you plan better events (even if your budget is zero)

– What not to do when trying to be inclusive (hint: don’t out people with a lanyard)

– How filming a 15-minute “how to get here” video makes a surprising difference

– The real reason your event space might feel like a battery farm

– Why including people is, funnily enough, the essence of inclusion

– How small acts of empathy boost connection and attendee loyalty

Chapters:

00:00 – What we mean by neuro-inclusion

02:19 – Andy’s background & why Welcome Brain exists

04:04 – Personalising events for how adults actually work

05:17 – 85% of neurodivergent people are skipping your event – here’s why

08:30 – It’s not just ‘them’ – most of us benefit from more human events

09:27 – Good intentions that go wrong

11:34 – Personalisation, empathy, and how the checklist works

13:09 – Ask your attendees: how can we make this better?

14:09 – Why lived experience matters in the planning team

15:25 – The disability comparison: visible vs invisible needs

16:43 – No-budget options: start with the Silver tier

18:15 – Tackling scepticism and “we’ve never had anyone ask…”

20:08 – Rethinking networking and connection

21:56 – Breaking away from warehouse layouts and long-term venue contracts

23:16 – Why the events industry is actually well placed to lead on this

25:33 – Final thoughts: the small things really do matter

Find out more:

🧩 The free neuroinclusion checklist: welcomebrain.com

📧 Contact Andy: [email protected]

mentioned eventwell https://eventwell.org/

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Why do so many B2B panels fall flat? Why do keynote sessions sometimes miss the mark—despite having great speakers? And why is no one quite sure who’s in charge on stage?

In this episode, Clare Forestier is joined by Richard John—COO of Realize and co-author of the new white paper Behind the Mic: A Definitive Guide to On-Stage Roles at Events.

Together, they tackle one of the biggest problems in B2B events: role confusion. From misused moderators to misplaced MCs, we discuss why assuming any good speaker can fill any on-stage role is a costly mistake—and how organisers can stop making it.

Expect:

Some gentle ranting (well, Richard is involved)

A breakdown of key on-stage roles and their unique competencies

Practical tips to match the right talent to the right format

And an honest look at why getting this right transforms audience experience

Whether you’re an organiser, speaker, or simply someone who's sat through one-too-many awkward panels, this one’s for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Behind the Mic: A Definitive Guide to On-Stage Roles at Events

Realize agency – https://realize.me.uk

Clare’s work as a B2B event MC, moderator and podcast host

Elling Hamso and the Event ROI Institute https://eventroi.org/about-us/

Guest Bio:

Richard John is COO of Realize and an events industry veteran with decades of experience training exhibitors, developing speaker talent, and coaching organisers. He’s known for his blunt honesty, his passion for better event design—and his relentless love of a bad dad joke.

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Swag isn’t the enemy — badly thought-out swag is.

In this short but punchy episode, Clare Forestier asks event organisers to rethink their approach to giveaways. Instead of cluttering up attendees’ lives (and landfills) with throwaway items, what if we used swag to enhance the attendee experience and leave a meaningful impression?

Tune in for a fresh perspective on how to make your event giveaways memorable for the right reasons.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why swag isn’t inherently a problem — bad swag is.
• How to flip your mindset and use swag to deepen attendee engagement.
• A simple test to decide whether your giveaway will be a hit or a miss.

Perfect For:

Event planners, exhibition organisers, marketing teams, and anyone tired of handing out (or receiving) useless tat.

check out the other ideas in the comments on my original post here: https://bit.ly/ClareForestierSwagLinkedIn

check out what CrowdComms are up to here: https://www.crowdcomms.com/

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

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In this episode of Not the Same as Last Year, Clare is joined by seasoned event sales and sponsorship expert Richard Morris, who’s been transforming how sponsors show up at events for over 25 years.

From tired sponsorship packages to cringeworthy on-stage moments, Clare and Richard explore the very real tension between what sponsors want and what audiences need. They share ways to shift the story—from last-minute fixes to building a better approach from the start.

This one’s a must-listen for planners tired of hearing “but that’s what we sold them,” and for anyone trying to align commercial goals with a quality attendee experience.

What’s Inside:

• Why "gold/silver/bronze" sponsorship tiers often do more harm than good
• How to avoid the “same as last year” trap
• Tactical ways to tweak sponsor involvement (even if everything’s already been agreed)
• How content teams and sales can work together, not in silos
• Why sponsors need help looking good on stage — and how you can give it to them
• Horror stories (hello, business card in webcam) and how to avoid becoming one

Resources:

👉 Connect with Richard Morris on LinkedIn

👉 Want help reworking your sponsor strategy? Drop Clare a message or visit www.clareforestier.com

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

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Gamification at events, it’s everywhere. But does it actually work? Or is it just another buzzword slapped onto an event with no real impact? In this episode of Not The Same As Last Year, I break down what gamification should actually do and how to make it meaningful rather than just sticking points and badges on things.

The truth about gamification - why most attempts fail

How to use gamification to drive real networking and engagement

Creative ways to gamify sessions (without making them cringe)

Simple ideas that boost interaction - both digitally and in person

How scavenger hunts, snowball games, and end-of-day bingo can turn passive attendees into active participants

If you’re tired of gamification that feels like cheesy and pointless, tune in to hear how to make it work properly.

I mention my fellow emcee/moderator, Jan-Jaap In Der Maur in this episode. For more info visit his website here: https://mastersinmoderation.com/training-and-coaching

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

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After an unplanned (and chaotic) two-month break, I’m back with episode 32 of Not the Same as Last Year! This one’s all about Next Generation Event Goers and the shifts they’re driving in the B2B events world. These changes aren’t just for them – they make events better for everyone.

In this episode, I explore:

✅ Why younger audiences are reshaping events

✅ The importance of interactivity and storytelling

✅ Simple changes that make events more engaging for all generations

Let’s make events less awkward and more effective.

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

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In this episode of Not The Same As Last Year, Clare Forestier discusses one of the biggest challenges in event planning today: short lead times. Whether it’s due to budget constraints, economic uncertainty, or the trend of late bookings, planners and suppliers are increasingly having to adapt to events that are confirmed last minute. Clare shares insights from her recent planner forum with the Meetings Events Suppliers Association, where industry experts discussed the effects of short lead times on quality, costs, and attendee experience.

Key Points Covered:

• Why Short Lead Times are a Growing Trend: From last-minute budget approvals to clients’ hesitation to commit early, Clare discusses the factors that are driving the shift towards shorter planning timelines.
• Setting Boundaries and Educating Clients: Clare explores how event professionals can set clear boundaries to maintain quality, even under pressure, and why client education is essential to successful last-minute planning.
• Smart Technology Solutions: The episode highlights the importance of moving beyond spreadsheets to use cloud-based, event-specific tools that make coordination easier and less stressful.
• Building Strong Supplier Relationships: Clare emphasises the importance of trusted suppliers who can work effectively under tight timelines

Russell Magnuson https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-magnuson/

RD Mobile: https://www.resultsdirect.com/rdmobile

David O'Coimin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidocoimin/

Nook Event Pods

Andrew Roby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewrobyeventplanner/

The Meetings Event Suppliers Association: https://themesa.community/mesa

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

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In Episode 29 of Not The Same As Last Year, Clare is on a mission to shake up predictable event formats. Sick of the rinse-and-repeat style that keeps sessions safe but stale? Clare introduces a range of alternative formats that foster real interaction and keep energy levels high. Here’s what’s covered:

• Blending Tradition with Freshness: Easy tweaks to familiar formats without alienating cautious clients.
• Interactive Keynotes: Turn your keynote into a two-way conversation, with live Q&As and story-driven hooks.
• Panel Revamps: Opt for fewer, more impactful voices and open the floor to audience questions.
• Dynamic Formats to Try: World Cafés, Fishbowl discussions, and lightning talks that keep attendees involved and energized.
• Genuine Engagement: What “interactive” should mean—moving beyond polls to create real connections.

If you’re ready to stop wasting time with cookie-cutter sessions, tune in for tips to make your events a cut above.

Discover easy, creative tweaks to make your event sessions memorable and exciting for attendees.

Let’s get a bit braver and give that sacred cow of “safe formats” a well-deserved kick.

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

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In this episode of Not The Same As Last Year, we’re talking about the magic of storytelling and its crucial role in event design. Clare discusses how to use storytelling to create a cohesive, engaging, and memorable attendee experience. Whether it’s weaving the theme into every session, introducing your speakers through compelling narratives, or getting your audience involved by asking them to share their own stories, this episode is packed with practical tips you can apply right away.

• Weaving the theme: Your event theme shouldn’t just be mentioned in the keynote – it should be the golden thread running through every session.
• Speaker introductions: Forget boring bios! Introduce your speakers with a story to make them more relatable and engaging.
• Attendee stories: Encourage attendees to share their stories during Q&A or workshops to build connection and create a dynamic experience.
• Sponsor involvement: Get your sponsors involved with storytelling to personalise their presence and add value to attendees.
• Promotion & follow-up: Use storytelling in your event marketing and post-event communication to keep the journey alive.

Tune in to learn how storytelling can transform your events from a series of disconnected sessions into a seamless journey that resonates with your audience long after the event is over.

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

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Let's talk about FOMO — the Fear of Missing Out — and how it can quickly become dangerous at events if not handled with care.

While FOMO can be a powerful marketing tool, if you lean too heavily on it, your attendees could leave feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and dissatisfied.

We explore the fine line between using FOMO effectively and letting it spiral out of control, ensuring your events engage, excite, and never alienate your attendees.

In this episode, we discuss the risks of relying too much on FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) in your event strategy:

• The Double-Edged Sword of FOMO: How FOMO can drive engagement but also create stress and anxiety for your attendees if not managed properly.
• The Danger of Decision Paralysis: Why too many options at events can lead to overwhelm, disengagement, and a poor experience.
• Avoiding Burnout: Tips on how to create balance in your event, offering engaging content without overloading your audience.
• Practical Solutions: Using event tech, personalised schedules, and real-time updates to make FOMO a positive experience instead of a stressful one.
• The Long-Term Impact: How unchecked FOMO can harm your event’s reputation and decrease attendee loyalty in the future.

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

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