According to Interprefy’s report, 46 per cent of those polled regarded short lead times and last-minute changes (43 per cent), as the two top challenges for event planners.
Kim Ludvigsen, CEO at Interprefy, a cloud interpreting platform for events and meetings, discusses the findings from their survey.
The survey spoke to more than 100 event management professionals, asking them what they believe to be the main trends and challenges for event management in 2020.
Finding ways to avoid short lead times and/or mitigate them where necessary can reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Dealing with short lead times
There’s so much to do in the run up to an event – from finding a venue and drafting an itinerary to liaising with speakers and organising teams.
So when there are last-minute changes to the schedule, the venue or the technology being used, this can turn what would have been a successful event into a preventing the event manager from carefully planning an event, there can be issues.
Use reliable suppliers
To avoid problems in the run up to and during the event (whether that’s not enough seats or no catering services), event managers should use reputable, efficient suppliers. They should have a shortlist of quality suppliers who can consistently deliver and always have another on standby should something go wrong. This ensures issues can be remedied as quickly as possible.
Leverage data and technology
Data is what will enable event managers to optimise events in the future. If there’s any kind of data on to set-up time, delays, issues and even attendee feedback, it can all be used to make the next event better. But the technology has to be in place.
Use technology to project the event
Immersion and engagement. That’s what event attendees want. So, it’s no surprise that more and more events are using projections to create incredible atmospheres. Instead of the typical sit-down experience where speakers talk at the audience for hours at a time, events are increasingly interactive, digital and personalised.
Kim Ludvigsen.Projection mapping is all about using technology to manipulate light onto different surfaces, turning standard objects into interactive, 3D displays. This helps event managers to reduce on-site technology (and therefore carbon emissions) but drastically improve the attendee experience.
Looking to the future
Knowing the trends that are defining the event management industry will enable event managers to utilise them and create experiences that resonate more with their audience.
However, it’s impossible to implement these changes immediately or due to short lead times. Event managers need to take a measured approach to how they organise their events.
Of the trends outlined in this report, there are a few which can be actioned in the short term to make events more enjoyable, immersive and accessible.
In 2020, utilising these trends to get ahead of the competition will enable you to get a considerable head start.
