"Being able to build true sustainable relationships is the biggest competitive advantage in a world where automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are eliminating the human experience, which is what creates the emotional connections that build true customer loyalty." - John DeJulius
As event professionals, we have a duty to create environments where relationships form.
If you aren't designing your events with activities and space for this to happen, you're not crafting events to benefit your attendees.
Here's my five favorite ways to make sure your attendees have a chance to build relationships at events:
Lounges and hallway seating. Make sure there's space for people to meet and talk during your event, and don't xylophone-shame them into the breakout rooms if they're having a great conversation.
Peer discussions. Either through roundtables, Spontaneous Think Tanks, hackathons, or other conversation formats, let the attendees solve problems by talking to each other.
Shared activities that drive connect. Whether it's an off-site field trip or cultural excursion or a well-planned onsite activity, create a memorable experience that invites participants to connect through play or learning something new.
Whitespace. Put more time in your agenda to let participants do something outside of the session rooms. Every second of every day doesn't have to be filled with content.
Wingman. Invite your board, executives, committee chairs, or other super connectors to help your attendees meet each other. Make sure if someone is standing alone, they are doing it because they want to, not because they feel like they can't break into any conversation groups.
What are you favorite ways to add relationship-building experiences into your events?
Comments