Daniel Meyer is VP & Corporate Controller at Access Intelligence, a Hauppauge, NY-based information and marketing company that provides business intelligence and integrated marketing solutions.
Daniel is also a guy who knows a lot about the event industry, so I was very interested to speak to him about how the event industry is evolving in the post-pandemic era (as you likely know, I’m very interested in this industry; in fact I’m an investor in in two event companies: Beyond Ordinary Events and the C-Suite Network. I’m also planning to organize more in-person events for the eMarketing Association in the future.)
Our interview covers a lot of ground, with a focus on event industry trends for 2024 and event planning best practices for 2024. Topics include:
- How brands are adapting adapted to the “new normal” of events in the post-pandemic era.
- The pandemic’s impact on event planning, specifically the fact that lead times for commitments have decreased significantly (from 30-45 days to less than a month)
- The importance of having backup plans and flexibility in event programming.
- Challenges faced by event programmers with respect to selecting venues and accurately forecasting attendee numbers and event requirements.
- The importance of event programmers understanding the “fine print” of event cancellation insurance policies.
- Why event anchors and sponsors are crucial for event success, given that they provide name recognition and help control the narrative.
- How the value proposition of events depends on the audience’s goals, which may include learning, networking, or transacting business.
- The benefit of independent events (vs. events organized by a single vendor), where attendees can see “the whole story” and hold industry leaders accountable.
- Why the structure and format of a given event should be tailored to the specific industry and the type of attendee, with a focus on experiential aspects and networking opportunities.
- The differences between an exhibit hall with elaborate booths and a more informal exchange area, and the importance of managing traffic and building an agenda that allows attendees to get a variety of information.
- The importance of understanding the venue’s footprint and how it impacts the event’s agenda and sponsor/exhibitor setup.
- The challenge of managing the flow of traffic and ensuring that all parts of the event work in concert with one another, while also maximizing the value of attendees’ time spent on site.
- The challenges of choosing a venue for events, particularly in cities like New York where there are limited options and high demand.
- Why collaboration between show organizer, sponsor, and exhibitor is key to creating memorable experiences.
- The need for due diligence and accurate cost estimation to avoid over-promising and losing money on sponsorships.
The post Daniel Meyer, of Access Intelligence, on event industry trends & event planning strategies for 2024 appeared first on eMarketing Association.
