Do something "different"

“We’d like to do something different” is a phrase we hear a LOT when we get event enquiries. But some people who say they want something different, actually don’t. What they want is Conference 101; they just want people to think it’s slightly different than last year.

Doing something different scares people. And for good reason. It’s hard to step out of your comfort zone and it can be hard to break the mould, especially when people have become comfortable with the same things year after year. It can also be hard to convince people that doing “something different” is the right thing to do. You know people don’t like change...

Luckily, something different doesn’t have to mean something huge. You can start small and build up to something bigger and more daring as time goes on. 

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start, so here’s a few ways you can actually start to “do something different” at your next event:

• Build relationships. Give people the time to properly build their relationships, as people as well as colleagues. Encourage people to bring their whole selves to the day. Design your own name badge, bring something that matters to you, include a “Guess Who?” style competition to get people to find out more about each other...
• Include proper reflection time. Events can sometimes be overwhelming with the level of information, and messages are more memorable when people can talk about what they’ve heard with their peers.
• Shake up your venue choices. Ditch the conference hotels and find somewhere more inspirational. It doesn’t have to be a shipping container or a theme park, but even somewhere with a different atmosphere will be a plus.
• Find a theme- and stick to it. Collaborate with events partners, set designers, AV companies, venue providers and facilitators to make it come to life.
• Ban PowerPoint. Seriously. You don’t need it. There are other ways to get messages across that don’t rely on people reading the words off a slide.
• Take away the tables. Tables at conferences have two functions: somewhere for people to lean, and somewhere for them to put their coffee cups. Neither are vital.
• Shake up the structure. Most events start with an opening address from someone important and will likely involve a keynote speaker. Start with something interactive, different or impactful. Signal from the start of the day that your event will be different to what people are expecting.
• Get people up and about. Leaving people to be talked at for an hour and a half at a time is a recipe for disengagement and disaster. Keep sessions light and consider breakout sessions with smaller groups to mix things up.
• Hire a facilitator. Getting in the professionals to host your event relieves some of the pressure on your own team and ensures things run smoothly on the day. They can host, emcee, brief and introduce speakers, run interactive sessions, breakouts and evening activities, and having a properly facilitated conference can really make a difference.
• Add interactivity. One of the best ways to get a message across is to add in interactive and hands-on exercises and activities that tackle the themes you're looking at. It doesn’t have to be “team building” or any kind of forced fun but getting people to do something is much more effective than just getting them to listen.
• Be brave. What’s the worst that can happen?

Of course, you don’t have to do all of these, especially not all at the same time! Think about what you want to try first, and which small change would make the biggest impact at your next event.
And if you need help, give us a call...