Trend Alert: Why the Anti-Booth is Creating a Buzz

Trend Alert: Why the Anti-Booth is Creating a Buzz

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If you've ever attended an industry trade show—regardless of which industry you find yourself in—there's a good chance you've played at least some part in designing, setting up, or manning a "traditional" trade show display/booth. You know the types of booths we're referring to; you rent out a 10x10 space and set up a display to attract attendees. The specifics of the display may vary a bit, but probably include a large sign displaying the company logo, a "greeting center" that's staffed by a bubbly employee, and perhaps even some lounging areas or live demonstration areas throughout.

Not that these displays can't be super effective if they're designed and executed properly, but maybe now is the time to think outside the booth.

Thinking Outside the Booth

The "anti-booth" trend is creating quite the buzz in trade shows and events as of late—and if you've been looking for a way to make a unique statement and stand out among a sea of 10x10 booths at your next event appearance, it's something you might want to consider trying for yourself.

A perfect example of these emerging trend can be seen in RAB Lighting's beautiful "anti-booth" display at this past Lightfair (a huge trade show for businesses in the lighting industry). Rather than set up a "typical" booth or generic display, the company filled their space with 1,500 pots of grass, along with a serene walkway that passed through the display itself. Each of the pots of grass was mounted on a small pendulum, which was set up to gently sway back and forth (thanks to a series of hidden sensors) when attendees walked by.

As people walked through the display, they were delighted by the ability to set each tiny pot of grass in motion, demonstrating the concept that nature and mankind are in constant interaction with each other in beautiful ways.

Of course, this is just one of many examples of companies that have chosen to think outside the typical concept of a booth at their industry trade shows and events. It's worth noting that RAB Lighting's display subsequently won an award for Best in Show at the event. Of course, not only did they receive this award, but their display generated an insane amount of buzz and likely led to a number of new leads or conversions for the company itself.

How to Make a Statement

So, you're starting to see the appeal of these anti-booth concepts, and you're wanting to incorporate this kind of design strategy into your next industry event. How can you go about making your display stand out? The possibilities are endless, but no matter what you do, you should begin by considering the ultimate message you want to convey with your design. Only from there should you begin brainstorming unique ideas to catch the eye of your target audience without being "just another booth."

Looking for some inspiration? Cramer has some great examples of anti-booth ideas that have been successful in the past, so you might consider building on one of these. Working with an experienced display designer and builder might also help you generate new and unique ideas, as well as ensure they can come to fruition both in terms of logistics and budget.

When it comes to standing out and making a true statement, you can't go wrong with anti-booth. And if you're still looking for a great location at which to host your next industry trade show or other event, check out  Soho Studios for an incredible event space that's suitable for any industry.

5 Event Marketing Tools You Need to Use Now

5 Event Marketing Tools You Need to Use Now

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You can put plenty of effort and strategies into planning your next event but it won't be a success unless you have strong attendance. Marketing is important for helping the right people discover your event. Within your promotional plan, make sure you try these five event marketing tools. 

An Event Management Tool

Consider using a platform designed for event management to help you with your marketing. These platforms can help you market through email and other online means. They often support registration, tracking of attendees, surveys and other aspects of marketing and managing the event planning process. You have many options to choose from, such as Bizzabo, Attendease, Eventbrite and etouches. Choose the one that fits your company size and event marketing needs.

An Event App

This tool allows you to keep definite and potential attendees up-to-date about your event before it happens. Current audiences expect this capability, plus it will keep people informed and interested. They can learn new details about the event, such as added speakers or accommodations, as they become available, which keeps the event in your audience’s mind, builds excitement and helps attendees with their planning. And you can continue to use the app to share information during the event. Some event management tools provide the ability to create an app or you could use a service like DoubleDutch that is dedicated to event apps.

Communities

Try starting an event community dedicated to your specific event on Facebook or another platform that supports this approach. This type of tool helps to engage your audience and keep them in-the-know about event details. Within the community, you can share new information and give teaser information on what will be included, from meals to activities. You can also share practical information that helps with planning. Plus, this is a great space to engage potential attendees with conversation and to help them connect with one another. When you capture people’s interest and help them feel included through an event community, you’ll encourage them to register and potentially spread the word about the event.

An Event Directory

Make sure your event is listed where people are looking for events. You may have an untapped market of people who would attend your event but simply don’t know about it, and getting it listed on directories can help it get seen by the right crowd. You could put it on Meetup, which is particularly effective for events that want to draw a local crowd. This option also lets you continue to reach out to the same group of people over time. Another option is Lanyrd, which is a social conference directory. A great feature of this directory is that it helps you figure out the target audience that went to similar events around the world so you can better tailor your own marketing. Also, many of the event management platforms provide directories included in the service.  

Analytics Tools

While marketing events might sometimes feel like guesswork, you can also find strategies and formulas backed by data. Using an analytics tool can help you weed through data and use it to get better at event promotion. For example, Brandscopic is an event marketing analytics tool that helps you figure out demographics, target your audience better and collect media about the event. 

Using these tools along with your tried-and-true event promotion methods can help you streamline your marketing process and make it more effective. With these tools, you'll become an event marketing pro -- or elevate your professional game to the next level.

How to Host a Silent Party

How to Host a Silent Party

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These days, the concept of "silent parties" or silent discos is becoming increasingly popular—especially in the world of event planning. If you're looking to host a party that will have people talking for months, this unique concept may be worth a try. Before you tackle the task of planning and hosting a silent party, however, there are some things you need to know.

Start with a basic understanding of what constitutes a silent party! Generally, a silent party is an event where attendees are handed a pair of headphones when they step into the space; all music and announcements are played only over these headphones.

Benefits of a Silent Party

To somebody without headphones, a silent party might look a little silly, but there are numerous benefits to hosting this unique type of event.

Avoid Noise Complaints

For starters, a silent party allows you to reduce the potential for issues like noise complaints. This, in turn, makes it easier for you to host your party just about anywhere and at any time. 

Enjoy Easy Conversation

Have you ever been to a loud party where you couldn't even hold a conversation without having to yell over the music? A silent party removes this common frustration, since attendees can easily slip their headphones off to chat with friends.

Tailor the Experience

A silent party allows you to customize the experience for your attendees by playing different music into different channels. This way, you can give attendees a choice when they walk in to select between two different experiences!

Preparing for a Silent Party

Are you sold on the idea of hosting a silent party? If so, then you may be wondering what steps you can take to ensure a smooth and successful event.

Select Your Equipment

Start by deciding on your equipment. There are many different companies out there that will allow you to rent out headphones for your guests. Will you choose over-the-ear headphones or ear buds? How many different sets of headphones will you have, and what other rentals will you need in terms of audio equipment?

Deciding on Audio Channels

If you'd like to offer a tailored silent party experience, you'll need to be able to set up more than one audio channel for your attendees. This can complicate things a bit, since you'll need two different sets of headphones as well as different audio components. If you're hiring a DJ, you might also need more than one DJ, depending on their level of experience. 

Setting Up Staffing

Depending on the size of your event, your staffing needs will vary. Aside from needing someone to hand out headphones to guests as they walk in and collect them when they come out, you might also want to consider hiring security for events of 50  or more people.

Keeping Your Equipment Safe

Again, depending on the size of your group and how well you know your attendees, you might want to take additional precautions to keep rented equipment (such as headphones) safe. Consider, for example, collecting IDs as collateral and returning them to attendees in exchange for their headphones when they leave. You might also consider collecting a cash deposit as people arrive, as this will offset any potential costs related to damaged or lost headphones.

With a little bit of careful planning, your first silent party can be a resounding success! When pulled off correctly, a silent party can be a great way to get people talking and can make for an experience that your attendees won't soon forget! Looking for the ideal location to host your silent party? Check out Soho Studios today!

How to Incorporate Fall Flavors Into Your Event

How to Incorporate Fall Flavors Into Your Event

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Planning on hosting an experiential event this fall? If so, then you may also want to serve up some fall-friendly snacks and treats to get your attendees immersed in the spirit of autumn. Whether you decide to set up food stands throughout your event space or simply pass out treat bags to your attendees, we've got some tasty and relatively simple fall snacks to consider serving up.

Apple Cider Doughnuts

Apple cider and doughnuts go together perfectly, allowing you to bring the joy of a day at the apple orchard into your event space! These are super easy to make, especially if you buy the doughnut mix pre-made. And don't worry; you don't need to fry them. You can purchase a doughnut baking mold that will allow you to pop these in the oven for easy, mess-free baking.

Pumpkin Energy Bars

Treat your attendees to a fall flavor with an added energy boost by whipping up a batch of pumpkin energy bars. These are easier to make than you may realize, and the pumpkin flavor comes from adding some canned pumpkin puree. Honestly, these taste a lot like pumpkin bread, but have added nutritional benefits and will provide the energy your attendees need to power through the day.

S'mores Cookie Bars

Shy of setting up an actual s'mores station at your event (which we totally recommend, if you can pull it off), these s'mores cookie bars are probably the next best thing. You can make these pretty easily by starting with your "typical" chocolate chip cookie dough (buy some pre-made from the store, if you prefer) and adding chunks of Hershey bars and marshmallow. Spinkle in a little cinnamon and chunks of graham crackers before baking, and cut into small bars once cooled.

Marshmallow Pops

Marshmallow pops make for yet another delicious and fall-friendly snack, and they're especially fun if you're going to have any children at your event. These are pretty simple to make. Simply begin with large marshmallows (like the kind you'd use for roasting) and dip them in melted chocolate before rolling them in sprinkles. You can use a toothpick or small skewer to hold them. Pop them in the fridge for about an hour, which will give the chocolate time to harden. Then, enjoy! If you want to get really festive, you can even melt white chocolate and add food coloring (we're thinking fall colors, like reds and oranges) to really pull of that autumn theme.

Fall Friendly Trail Mix

Who doesn't love a bag of trail mix as an energizing and filling snack? Incorporate fall flavors into your trail mix by starting with a store-bought bag of traditional trail mix. Then, add some butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and pretzels. Season with a bit of salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Mix well and enjoy! You can serve these up in small bags to make them easy for your event attendees to grab and take with them. If you want to incorporate a little Halloween spirit (depending on when you're holding your event), you might consider adding some Halloween candy. Maybe stay clear of the candy corn, though. 

These are just a few ideas for snacks and treats you can easily prepare to bring some lovely fall flavors into your next experiential event. Your attendees will love these snacks, but don't be surprised if you get people stopping you to ask for the recipes. And of course, if you're still on the hunt for a great space to host your next event in the Miami area, be sure to check out Soho Studios!

7 Best Cities to Host a Pop Up Event

7 Best Cities to Host a Pop Up Event

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Are you considering hosting a pop-up event? You should. They are becoming increasingly popular, and are an excellent way to get your brand out there, make an impression, and gain new customers. If you aren't familiar with pop-up events, the concept behind them is pretty simple. They started becoming a "thing" about a decade ago, and are more popular now than ever. They are events that seem temporary or unplanned, but are actually anything but. To pull one off, you have to have an event planner who knows how to make an intricately designed event look totally casual, even like it was thrown together on the spur of the moment. You also need a large audience, because you want your event to gain a lot of public attention.

This need for an audience of passersby means you should ideally be having your pop-up event in a place where it will be easy for you to get a lot of foot traffic. These are the seven best cities in which to host a pop-up event, including a few examples of successful ones, to give you a few ideas for your own.

1. New York City, NY

As one of the busiest cities on Earth, and a top tourist destination to boot, New York City is an ideal location for any kind of pop-up event. In the world's melting pot city, you may even attract the attention of a few celebrities to your event. There will certainly be no shortage of potential participants.

A really successful pop-up event that was held here was done by the Culinary Institute of America, where students took over the famed Pangea restaurant to host a unique dinner. The menu was planned to contain only items that drew attention to how we will feed the planet as our resources dwindle in future generations. Conscious dining was the theme, and innovative, sustainable dishes were served to great acclaim. Because the event let visitors feel good about the cause they were supporting, they were also willing to pay more for it than a typical restaurant.

2. Los Angeles, CA

The home of the world's entertainment industry is another ideal location for a pop-up event. The possibility for celebrities coming and bringing attention and prestige to your brand is high. Like NYC, there is also a lot of tourist traffic. Plus, the paparazzi are everywhere here, and likely to cover your event, especially if someone famous shows up.

A pop-up store was set up in LA before the premier of the movie, Where the Wild Things Are, to sell memorabilia. The store was created to look like a nest in one corner, and a giant child's fort in another corner. The mannequins were given horns to resemble wild creatures. It was such a fun place to shop, and looked like it had always been there. For the short time the store was there, it pulled in an amazing amount of traffic and sales.

3. London, UK

The NYC of the UK, London is a city that always has something happening, and foot traffic from regular people, celebrities, and nobility alike. It is also the location of a highly creative pop-up event that shows their versatility. This one was put on by the Wieden+Kennedy ad agency, and its purpose was to show anyone who happened by what it is like to work there. The front window of the office was transformed into a cartoon set, where employees took turns working. It looked like they were working in an animated cartoon environment, and passersby loved it. There was even a webcam on the agency's website so anyone in the world could watch. This event went on for a few weeks, and gained a huge amount of attention and brand recognition for the agency.

4. Paris, France

Probably the second-best place to have a pop-up event in Europe besides London, Paris has everything going for it that London does, only with that traditionally romantic Parisian background. It would be a perfect location for any dating or romance-themed event.

5. Seattle, WA

Known for its eclectic residents, this is the home of Starbucks and grunge rock, among other things. With a large population, and high tourist traffic, with people who are known to be environmentally aware, this is the perfect location for any "save the planet" or sustainability pop-up event.

6. Orlando, FL

It's the vacation capital of the world. If you are looking to put on a family-friendly event, or one that caters to a fun-loving, irreverent crowd, like college students or hipsters, this is the place to do it.

7. Miami, FL

The southernmost home of the nation's celebrities, heirs and heiresses, and other glitterati, as well as vacationers and partiers of all ages, Miami is a hotspot of non-stop activity, making it an ideal place to host a pop-up event of just about any kind. Plus, it has the advantage of having Soho Studios there, which is a perfect location for an event, or to find the people with the right experience and knowledge of the Miami crowd to plan an incredible one for you.

Why Teaming Up With Other Brands Can Increase Your Attendance

Why Teaming Up With Other Brands Can Increase Your Attendance

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If you want to create record attendance for your next event – and who doesn’t? – consider bringing in a partner brand. You can team up to boost attendance, which is beneficial for both/all of the brands that are included. And a partnership can also mean that your event has more to offer its attendees, which can translate into it being successful and popular. Let’s take a look at why teaming up can increase event attendance and how you can make it work.

Why Event Partnership Works

When more than one brand is marketing the same event, you’ll reach a wider audience. Together, you can spread the news to more people on social media and create more buzz before an event. When you reach more people, you’re more likely to have a higher attendance. And you can always include numerous partners who can all separately promote the event and add to it. For instance, your partners could include a food vendor, a speaker, an event venue and an entertainer.

By partnering up, your event can also offer increased value, which can make more people want to attend. People might become interested because of the caliber of the brands you have attached to the event and because of increased event offerings due to the partnership. For example, if your partner will provide entertainment, giveaways, a prominent speaker or something else of value, you could draw more people. Plus, Eventbrite points out that events can become interesting through “hybridization,” which feature a fusion of two elements. It gives an example of bringing a beer tasting to a yoga session.

When you search for partners, it’s a good idea to find ones that align with the purpose of your event and your organization’s mission. The goal is not just to reach more people with news about the event but to reach the right people who would actually attend the event. Nonetheless, the hybridization idea shows that you can sometimes reach seemingly unrelated audiences through unique events.

How to Make Event Partnership Work for You

The best way to learn a technique is often to find successful examples and think about how to achieve similar results within your own brand and target audience. Often, it helps to focus on a theme that can incorporate different brands.

A successful example was the partnership between Red Bull and GoPro portable camera brand for the stunt event “Stratos,” which included a stuntperson jumping from a space pod with a GoPro attached to his body. This joint event fit both brands’ values. GoPro helped capture the experience, while Red Bull provided its reputation and experience. Other event partnerships that have worked well over time include Levi Strauss and The Fader magazine at the Texas-based South by Southwest festival, the Consumer Electronics Show and iLounge, and Belvedere Vodka and Bustle Clothing’s team-up during Toronto Fashion Week.

Sometimes, a brand strives to reach a new or broader audience by working with a partner, while other times the partners try to reach the same audience together. Finding the right partner(s) depends on the type of event and the goals of each brand. To use this team-up technique for your own brand, think about brands that could align with your audience or with the type of event you're putting on, and find ways to add value to the event through partners. 

Many brands say that teaming up with other brands improved their events. A partnership can increase the value offered to attendees and increase buzz, helping you gain more attendees to boost your brand presence

Why Choosing the Right Music for your Event is Crucial

Why Choosing the Right Music for your Event is Crucial

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Whether you decide to hire musicians or use a DJ to play music for your event is up to your preferences and budget. What’s more crucial is that you have your chosen entertainer play the right kind of music to fit your event.

Why Does the Music Matter So Much?

Music plays a major role in setting the mood of an event. Choosing wisely can help your attendees better enjoy the event and get into the proper state of mind to fit the event’s purpose. Music that doesn’t fit your event or your crowd could even cause people to leave.

Music has so much variety and personality that it can be easy to get it wrong. For a formal event, you don’t want to play tracks with cursing or songs about revenge against an ex. Also, music can be used to break up different parts of an event and create better flow.

Because of these reasons, you should really think in advance about the type of music you’ll be playing.

How Do You Choose the Right Music?

Make It Part of the Planning Process

The most essential tip is simply to include music early on within your event-planning process. Don’t neglect it, and don’t leave it up to vendors the type of music they will play. Think about what you want to accomplish with your event and how music will play into that experience.

Consider the Volume

The music itself is not the only important factor when it comes to your event’s sound experience. The volume also matters. Music can be played in the background, be used to create energy or act as the main event. If you want your guests to interact with each other, you’ll want softer tones that allow them to hear each other converse, whereas you can play louder beats if you’re going for a club atmosphere or high-energy function.

Decide on the Type

Of course, the type of music matters. Consider piano music or other instrumental tunes for formal events. You could play more fun music with vocals for festivals, concerts and other energetic atmospheres. A DJ could help you play a variety of music while a live band can help create an energetic vibe or special experience. Also, you could use a particular band to connect with a theme, such as a local band within an area you want to reach or an all-female band for a women’s event. Overall, try to fit the type of music to the level of formality, the mission and the audience of the event.

Mix Up the Music

Sometimes, it works best to alternate between different types of music. This method provides a great way to get people into different moods and to direct them throughout the event. For example, you could play soft music during a welcoming and networking period, play energetic music to get people’s attention or build excitement when introducing a speaker, switch to soft music during a meal and so on. Even when you pick a certain energy level, you can think about mixing tunes from different genres and time periods. A DJ could help you play different types of music, or you could hire multi-talented or multiple musicians.

Review Practical Aspects

Don’t forget to factor in the practical aspects of choosing music. You might dream of a band but not have the budget. Consider your venue’s size and audio capabilities, your budget and your limitations. 

Music is an essential part of any event. As long as you consider it within your planning process, you'll be fine. 

How to Create a Sample Strategy for Your Experiential Event that Benefits You and Your Guests

How to Create a Sample Strategy for Your Experiential Event that Benefits You and Your Guests

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There is simply no better marketing strategy for consumer-packaged goods (CPG) than a unique, fun, and interactive experiential event. For those in the food and beverage industry, you know that nothing can better promote your unique product and introduce guests to the flavor and personality of your brand than letting potential customers try it!

Whether you are promoting a new tropical daiquiri flavor, a delicious artisan bread recipe, or a well-aged whiskey, planning a successful sampling strategy for your next experiential marketing event can increase consumer engagement and boost sales for your brand. Here are a few tips from the pros for creating a sample strategy for your next event.

Tips for a Successful Experiential Sampling Strategy

• Show Your Versality to Reach a Bigger Market – Spotlight the versatility of your product by targeting a different demographic at your sampling event. Wholly Guacamole is a perfect example. They wanted to reach a slightly older crowd than they usually do, so they set up outside of a sporting event rather than a music festival. The new approach included the Guac Stop, where attendees could customize their guacamole sampling with 12 toppings. They also offered interactive events that appealed to their new consumer target like corn hole, giant Jenga, and even a Twitter vending machine that rewarded those who Tweeted about the event with prizes of brand swag.
• Go Where the Fans Are – If you want to reach a particular target audience, location is truly everything. Go where the fans are for an easy-peasy and successful event. Pepsi’s newest line, IZZE Fusions, wanted to make sure every teen around is aware of their new beverage. They made it a point to set up their summer sampling tour, which gave teenagers a taste of augmented reality, at popular teen events like music festivals, malls, and water parks. Giving teens a taste of the product and engaging with them on their level allowed Pepsi to get their attention and present a positive vibe to attract them with digital content and product.  The event included interactive play labs, refreshment zones, and immersive experiences like Camp IZZE.
• Keep it Simple and Spotlight Your Product – Sometimes you just have to keep it simple and show them what you’ve got to offer. That’s what High Brew Cold Brew Coffee did for their summer sampling event. Inspired by the brand’s travel/adventure messaging, they hit the road in a refurbished 1950’s coach bus to introduce and let millennials sample their ready-to-drink cold brew coffee. They made stops at trade shows, grocery stores, and festivals; offering a no-frills experience. Aside from a few bar stools and a sampling bar, the only other interactive option they had was an old-fashioned style post card station, where people could send a post card with a BOGO coupon to a friend.
• Change Your Brand’s Perception – If your brand is stuck in a rut and you want to change the way it is viewed by consumers, it’s time to change your brand’s perception. The Glenlivet Scotch had a reputation for being an “old school” drink best enjoyed in stuffy board rooms filled with old gents in leather chairs. To change this perception, their sampling strategy offered a sleek black and natural wood outdoor patio to drive their modern message about Scotch consumption. Popping up at food and wine festivals everywhere, this sampling showed that Scotch, especially when paired with the trending Scotch-inspired craft cocktails, is a good choice for all ages for all occasions.

To ensure your event is successful, be sure to do your research and be clear on the goals you wish to accomplish during your experiential marketing event. By spotlighting the taste and personality of your brand at a fun and interactive event with a clever sampling strategy, you will gain new customers who will help spread the word and help your brand grow, resulting in a win-win event for everyone!

How to Host A Live Podcast Event

How to Host A Live Podcast Event

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Are you using live podcasts?

You should be!

Why? Because a live podcast is a great way to engage your audience. A live podcast will allow you to chat with your audience and instantly receive their raw feedback in real time. And by doing this, you are building a rapport with those in your audience and creating loyal, potentially lifelong followers.

Many people have heard of podcasts and probably even participated in them. But they don't know exactly how to present one themselves. Thus the reason they aren't using them even though they are an extremely powerful method of audience communication and engagement.

The Benefits of a Live Podcast

There are plenty of benefits that come from implementing live podcasts into your marketing and follower retention campaigns.

• Increased real-time follower engagement
• Building brand authority, promotion, and retention
• Can be produced on demand
• To create a following
• A podcast atmosphere is more natural and intimate
• Instant feedback from your audience
• Podcast audience interactions provide you with new, fresh ideas and potential trends

Eight Tips for Hosting a Successful Live Podcast Event

1. Teamwork

You will first need to put together a team to help you cover all the necessary rolls such as producer, recording tech, administrative and marketing tasks. If you're just starting out, work with what and who you have available.

2. Determine Your Budget

Your budget should include items such as venue, equipment, sound crew, and other staffing if needed. The equipment will usually be your biggest expense depending on what you need which could include special lighting, microphones, mixers to plug into the house PA, etc.

However, if you want to help offset some of these costs, you can always charge admission to your event or solicit a sponsor.

3. Find a Venue

To find the perfect venue, you will need to estimate how many people you anticipate attending. But it's always a good idea to rent a venue that can accommodate more. Once you've determined that, you will need to visit that venue in person to make sure it's the right fit. Consider the cost, size, its geographic location, parking, public transportation, and the physical characteristics of the space versus your needs.

4. Video Projection

Your video projection can be something as simple as a PowerPoint or Keynote slideshow. If needed, you can also use software such as Q-Lab, which is a theatrical cueing software that automates the lights, videos, and graphics. However, some people find such software programs a bit complicated. So if you decide to go that route, make sure you schedule some time to learn it well before you begin.

5. Promoting Your Live Podcast

They are so many different ways you can promote your live podcast, especially in the current age of social media. Here are some other ideas you can use:

• Fan communities like Facebook Groups, Google+, Reddit, etc. Participate in these communities by posting and answering questions, and sharing comments then linking back to your podcast promotion.
• Publish relevant content, then link it back to your podcast promotion.
• Ask your existing followers to help promote your upcoming podcast.
• Twitter. Find the official hashtag then participate and promote your event on Twitter.
• YouTube video promotions.
• Local merchant participation in exchange for free advertising.

6. Rehearsal Run Through

After arriving at the venue, but prior to the event, once you have everything setup, you should perform a rehearsal run through to make sure everything goes as planned. This will also help you identify any obstacles and fix any equipment issues before you begin.

7. Involve the Audience

Involve the audience as much as possible. You can invite them onstage to participate in games, contests, Q&A's, opinion sound bites, etc.

One word of warning though, never release the microphone to anyone in the audience or you could lose control of the show if the conversation gets spirited or begins to take a different direction. Designate someone on your team to control the microphone at all times.

8. Have an Aftershow

Live streaming can be distracting to some of your audience; therefore, you should consider hosting an aftershow.  Just allow enough time, about 15 minutes or so, for you and your audience to transition. This will give your audience another opportunity to participate, share their reactions, and provide you with more feedback.

Hosting a live event doesn't have to be hard, nor does it have to be perfect. You will get better and better with each event you perform. If there's one thing you should remember though, it's to make sure your presentation is informing and entertaining to keep your attendees looking forward to coming back for more!

Three Things Forbes Included in its Under 30 Summit

Three Things Forbes Included in its Under 30 Summit

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With its recent Under 30 Summit, Forbes showed that it knows how to connect with the under 30 crowd. Forbes put a lot of research and effort into creating an event that catered to this audience while recognizing their unique experiences. The summit, which has been an annual event since 2014, took place in Boston, MA from October 1st to 4th this year. With over 7,000 people going to the summit, Forbes showed that it created enough interest in advance for people to want to attend.

How was Forbes able to reach this up-and-coming population? Here are three of the components Forbes included in its summit that connected with the under 30 crowd. 

1. Inspirational and Professional Opportunities

This event put young professionals in touch with opportunities that would inspire them, give them professional connections and teach them a thing or two. The summit included a wealth of content in different subject areas, from technology and science to health and social responsibility. It allowed attendees to connect with each other, collaborate and even learn about work opportunities. 

The crowd was able to learn and be inspired by top-notch speakers and celebrities, including Sophia Amoruso of Girlboss Media and John Chambers of Cisco. They learned from entrepreneurs, influencers and other powerhouses. They got the chance to talk to investors and network with other professionals as a way to grow their careers and opportunities. 

2. Entertainment and Experiences

Young professionals could get more than career-related education and inspiration at this summit. They also had fun. Event attendees had the chance to try different cuisine at an included food festival and experience the summit’s rocking music festival. 

The entertainment went beyond shows that attendees could watch from the audience. They also got to have unique experiences that engaged them. This aspect of the summit was new to this year, and it made a huge difference in connecting with the under 30 population. Attendees were able to test drive an Alfa Romeo sports car, learn from and play with a former professional basketball player and a bar crawl.

3. Recognition

With this summit, Forbes does a great job of tying an experiential event into its recognition of important people under 30. It goes along with Forbes’ “Under 30” list that yearly recognizes 30 innovators that are younger than 30 within numerous categories. This connection helps build interest around Forbes’ list and its authoritative position, while engaging with people on an in-person level.

The current summit recognized the new 30 people that were honored this year while also bringing back honorees from the past. In addition, the event recognized winners of competitions attendees were able to participate in. Medinas, a healthcare exchange platform, won the Global Change the World competition and received a $100,000 prize along with a $300,000 in-kind prize. 

Overall, Forbes did an amazing job at gaining excitement from its target audience and creating an experiential event that attendees would benefit from. The content, events and experiences kept attendees mostly in an "under 30 village" while also giving them the opportunity to fully appreciate the city by visiting different parts. Through a mixture of great content, awesome experiences and professional opportunities, the under 30 crowd was engaged and given the chance to grow personally and professionally.