Panels are a classic event format, but are they still fit for purpose?

In the latest episode of Not The Same As Last Year, Clare Forestier discusses the effectiveness of event panels and suggests ways to make them more attendee-centric. She highlights the common structure of panels, where panelists give intros, answer questions, and have limited audience engagement.

Clare argues that panels should only be included in the agenda if they provide value to attendees. She emphasizes the importance of selecting the right moderator who prioritizes audience interest and encourages audience participation. Clare also suggests curating diverse panelists and involving the audience from the beginning of the session. She concludes by offering alternative panel formats to make them more interesting and engaging.

Takeaways

• Event panels should only be included in the agenda if they provide value to attendees.
• Select a moderator who prioritises audience interest and encourages audience participation.
• Curate diverse panelists to promote different perspectives and viewpoints.
• Involve the audience from the beginning of the panel session to make them feel engaged and included.
• Consider alternative panel formats to make them more interesting and engaging.
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Chapters

00:00

Introduction: The Problem with Event Panels

05:33

Chapter 1: Making Panels Attendee-Centric

07:26

Chapter 2: The Role of the Moderator

12:00

Chapter 4: The Art of Panel Curation

16:44

Chapter 5: Involving the Audience

19:32

Chapter 6: Exploring Alternative Panel Formats

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

Connect with Clare:

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YOUTUBE

Today's conversation explores the use of AI in event planning and management. I'm joined by AI Event Prof, Anca Platan Trifan to discuss the benefits of using AI tools like ChatGPT to save time, improve productivity, and enhance the attendee experience. Anca emphasizes the importance of learning and embracing AI to stay competitive.

We also touch on the fear of stepping out of one's comfort zone and the need to adapt to the changing landscape of technology.

Takeaways

• AI tools like ChatGPT can save time and improve productivity in event planning and management.
• Learning and embracing AI is essential to stay competitive in the industry.
• AI can be used to generate interview questions, automate proposal generation, and extract information from LinkedIn profiles.
• Stepping out of one's comfort zone and adapting to new technologies is crucial for success in the future.
• Using AI in event planning can enhance the attendee experience and make events more engaging and interactive.

check out Anca's free and paid courses here: https://treefanevents.com/ai-in-events-mastery/

find Anca on Linked In here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ancatrifan/

Follow Anca on Instagram here: @treefan_events

Listen to Anca's podcast here: https://eventsdemystified.com/home

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

Connect with Clare:

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Content matters at events, but not at the expense of collaboration and contribution. In this episode we talk about adjusting the balance so that your attendees aren't just learning but also contributing to your event.

Summary

In this episode, Clare Forestier discusses the three Cs of events: content, collaboration, and contribution. She argues that traditional event models prioritize content over collaboration and contribution, and suggests that allowing more attendee involvement can lead to richer discussions and connections. Clare shares her experiences attending the annual UK conference of the International Association of Facilitators, where facilitators guide discussions and activities to achieve specific goals. She emphasizes the importance of attendee contribution and collaboration in creating a more relevant and valuable event experience. Clare also provides tips for incorporating interactive workshops, networking sessions, and technology to enhance collaboration and contribution at events.

Keywords

events, content, collaboration, contribution, attendee involvement, traditional event model, facilitators, interactive workshops, networking sessions, technology

Takeaways

• Traditional event models prioritize content over collaboration and contribution.
• Allowing more attendee involvement can lead to richer discussions and connections.
• Attendee contribution and collaboration are important for the success and value of an event.
• Interactive workshops, networking sessions, and technology can enhance collaboration and contribution at events.

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

Connect with Clare:

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YOUTUBE

Feedback is crucial to attendee satisfaction and improving your events. In this episode, we explore how to ask for attendee advice (not feedback!), the right questions to ask, and how to implement the insights you gain to create attendee-centric events.

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, Clare discusses the importance of giving attendees time and space at events. She highlights the problem of jam-packed agendas and the need for attendees to have time to think and absorb information. Clare emphasizes the importance of self-care and creating inclusive spaces for all attendees. She shares examples of events that have successfully incorporated time and space into their agendas. Clare also suggests strategies for adding white space and breaks into event schedules.

Link to Adrian Segar: https://www.conferencesthatwork.com/index.php/event-design/2012/01/the-science-of-white-space-at-events/

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

Connect with Clare:

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In this episode, Clare Forestier discusses the importance of effective and enjoyable networking at events. She emphasizes the need to create an environment where attendees feel comfortable and empowered to make genuine connections.

Clare suggests understanding the preferences and networking goals of the audience to tailor networking activities accordingly. She provides practical tips such as using readable name tags with conversation starters, mixing up seating arrangements, implementing icebreaker activities, and creating dedicated quiet spaces.

Clare also highlights the role of technology in facilitating networking and the importance of structured guidance and allocated time for networking. She encourages event planners to consider targeted matchmaking, nurturing connections after the event, and training networking ambassadors.

The episode concludes with a call to be inventive and share ideas for improving connection building at events.

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

Connect with Clare:

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Have you ever left an event feeling like you didn't quite belong?

In this episode of Not the Same As Last Year I chat with Kelly McCormack, an event psychologist, about the fundamental human need to be seen and heard.

Kelly reveals how a focus on attendee psychology can transform events from forgettable gatherings to powerful experiences.

We discuss practical strategies for incorporating attendee needs into every stage of the event lifecycle, from pre-event to post-event, ensuring attendees feel valued and leave with a positive and memorable experience.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to design events that resonate with attendees and leave a lasting impact.

Follow Kelly here: https://www.instagram.com/the.events.psychologist

Link to The Psychology of Events by Pierre Benckendorff and Philip L. Pearce

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234830457_The_Psychology_of_Events

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

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Struggling to get your team and stakeholders excited about attendee-centric events? You're not alone! In this episode of Not The Same As Last Year, I tackle the challenge of building a compelling case for prioritizing the attendee experience.

We'll explore the benefits of attendee-centric events, from increased ROI and happier attendees to a positive brand perception and share practical strategies to address common concerns and get everyone on board, including:

• Framing the benefits in a way that resonates with stakeholders.
• Using data and success stories to showcase the power of attendee-centricity.
• Encouraging collaboration to brainstorm engaging event experiences.

Ready to ditch the tired event format and create events your attendees will love? Tune in and learn how to build a case for attendee-centric events that stakeholders get!

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

Connect with Clare:

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In this episode, we discuss how to help event speakers become more engaging and interactive. I emphasise the importance of pre-event meetings with speakers to align goals and expectations, as well as to understand their expertise and presentation preferences.

I highlight the need for event organisers to clearly communicate their vision and goals to speakers and provide resources and training to support their success, and how by creating a collaborative and speaker-friendly environment, events can be more dynamic and impactful.

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

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This episode discusses the benefits of hybrid events and how they prioritise the attendee experience. Clare explains that hybrid events combine the best of both worlds, in-person and virtual, to create a truly inclusive and engaging experience. she emphasizes the importance of offering options to attendees, as they have more choices than ever before. Hybrid events allow for a wider audience by removing barriers to entry and can elevate the in-person experience. Clare also highlights the value of focusing on quality over quantity at in-person events and the budget-friendly nature of hybrid events.

Keywords

hybrid events, attendee experience, inclusivity, options, in-person events, virtual events, engagement, quality over quantity, budget-friendly

Takeaways

• Hybrid events combine the best of both worlds, in-person and virtual, to create an inclusive and engaging experience for attendees.
• Offering options to attendees is crucial, as they have more choices than ever before.
• Hybrid events can elevate the in-person experience and focus on quality over quantity.
• Hybrid events are budget-friendly and allow for a wider audience by removing barriers to entry.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction: The Game Changer of Hybrid Events

03:01

Hybrid Events: More Than Just Technology

03:53

Elevating the In-Person Experience

06:09

Hybrid Events: Achievable and Budget-Friendly

07:14

Choosing the Right Format and Platform

09:05

The Variety and Benefits of Hybrid Events

11:09

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

Connect with Clare:

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YOUTUBE