Technically, I’m classified as an “extrovert.” I get my energy from being around people. Too much time alone and I start to feel depressed and disconnected, and 1:1 time is lovely, but I love being in groups where the energy can move around the room and isn’t dependent on one person carrying it.
But maybe I’m a weird extrovert because I like the RIGHT size group. I absolutely hate big networking receptions with rooms full of people and loud music and only a bar and passed appetizers to make me feel less uncomfortable. I’m not a fan of crowded concerts where I can’t even move because of the crush. And I hate giant keynote rooms where I’m trapped in the middle of a row of chairs for 2 hours while people talk at me from the stage and I can’t escape.
I haven’t found many events that consider the way I like to interact at an event when they design it. Why should I? Organizations create events for THEIR objectives, not mine. Can’t fault them for that. Unfortunately, this leads to the organizers getting frustrated when I (and others like me) don’t show up the way they want me to.
There are initiatives around neurodiversity originally led by Megan Henshall at Google to support diverse processing styles (like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, even traumatic brain injury), but I would argue that some of the design principles are just simple human compassion choices that can benefit us all.
Another Smart Meetings article gave pointers on designing events for all types of attendees, including choosing unique venues that connect participants with the culture and adding more networking time for small conversations. These are good considerations and the industry needs to begin planning for this.
Personally, I go to events for three reasons: 1) To learn something, 2) To have conversations with new people that will help me drive my project/business/career forward, and 3) To have the opportunity to help someone by making connections or sharing experiences/knowledge with them.
Making one-to-many presentations work for me
I enjoy learning through presentations when the presenter is sharing personal experiences or case studies, but I’m afraid that my brain has changed so much during the pandemic that I have a real problem not pulling out my phone and answering emails while I listen.
Multi-sensory input has become a requirement for me, and we all know the research about multi-tasking… that there’s basically no such thing.
So the presentations where I learn the most are the ones that are small and intimate (where I’d feel guilty if the presenter saw me on my phone), are set up like a workshop with pen and paper so I’m actively taking notes on the topic, and have some sort of fidgeting device to keep my hands occupied on something other than my phone.
The content needs to have some knowledge sharing, then a recap of top take-aways from each section for me to jot down. As much as we all want to be eco-conscious, handouts are really helpful for me to have a takeaway to bring back to colleagues or make notes on.
Because of this, I almost always aim for a back-of-the-room aisle seat in the keynote hall because I need the ability to get up and leave. Or if there are standing highboys where I can lean and listen, I can feel more active (and free to leave when I need to) when listening.
Panel discussions
I tend to skip panel discussions because they are not dynamic; all panelists have the questions in advance. They have practiced. They have planned who gets what question. And they are not entertaining in any way!! I know that we all want to get a variety of perspectives on a topic, but we need an innovative next-gen panel plan! You know what format I LOVE? Fishbowl.
You have a conversation leader and a couple of pre-picked participants (panelists), then you leave a few chairs open in a circle of chairs for audience members who want to jump into the action. The rest of the audience sits on an outer ring or in theater style and gets to listen in on a real, live, NOT-PRE-PLANNED conversation and truly learns from the participants. It’s so great!
Networking receptions
Now let’s talk about that networking reception. As I’ve mentioned, I’m an extravert. But I hate, hate, hate networking receptions. Walk into a ballroom with low lights, too-loud music, a buffet of veggies and hummus, and a line at the bar… filled with people looking at name badges or having conversations with people they already know. So then I walk into the room and have to find someone I know, or get my drink and stand around looking for someone not currently in a conversation or wait for someone to approach me. It is my preference to skip those. I’m just not wired to enjoy that experience.
You know what kind of networking receptions I love? The ones that are community-building events, not networking events - with activities and hosts. Giving the participants something to do, and inviting them in to be a part of it is key. Hosting the reception at an arcade-like place is way more fun when hosts are inviting people into skee-ball tournaments and pinball brackets!
Hosting a reception in a museum is incredible when you have docents actively engaging with participants about the exhibit, so no one feels like they are ever standing alone (unless they choose to be). Just hosting the reception in a ballroom? You can bring in really fun hands-on activities like Sloomoo Institute - even taking something like a virtual slime activation and turning it into an entire interactive station changes everything! It doesn’t take much - just a little human interaction - to change everything.
All of these suggestions are ways to make your event program more community-driven. With community-first thinking, you can create an environment for fostering long-lasting business relationships.
Doing it our way: Barefoot Business
We love crafting event experiences that we would actually enjoy going to. We call them Barefoot Business Retreats and they are our opportunity to design a program for optimal relationship-building, knowledge sharing, and unique experiences.
About 80% of the program design are elements that we know without a shadow of a doubt provide value. The other 20% is our opportunity to try new things, and new formats, and experiment with event elements that just might not work at all. We love doing this! All events should do this! Make your participants part of the program!
Interested in being part of a program like this? Our next one is the first week of October on a private yacht in Croatia. Check out our Gatherings page to reserve your spot.
Meanwhile, what industry events do you think are getting it right? What programs truly provide educational and community value? Let us know what programs deserve proper kudos for being community-first!
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