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Where You Meet Matters:
How to Choose a Purposeful
Meeting Destination
Dan Berger
Founder, CEO
Social Tables
Presenter-Audience Contract
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I’m a planner.
I’m a supplier.
I’m a believer.
I’m a participant.
We connect the hospitality industry
through effortless group management
technology that creates successful
face-to-face events.
A sample of the 60+ awards Social Tables and its leadership have received.
100 employees
Raised $23 million
Founded in 2011
Group Sales
Planner Tools
Event Services
An End-to-End Group Sales & Service Platform for
Hotels to Increase Revenue and Drive Loyalty
Lead Capture Lead Intelligence Sales Enablement
Group Sales: The only collaborative event sales solution
that increases qualified leads and drives direct revenue.
Accurate Diagramming Value-Add Planner Tools Streamlined Communication
Event Services: The only collaborative event management
software that drives both profits and loyalty.
Free Tools for Planners: Find venues, manage events, and
win clients — all in an easy-to-use, cloud-based platform.
Sourcing & DiscoveryDiagramming Seating & Check-In
1. Why Does Destination Matter?
2. What Role Does the Location Play in Meeting Design?
3. What Makes a City “the City”?
4. Choosing the Venue With Purpose in Mind
5. A Fresh Framework for Thinking About Destinations
6. Creating the Space That Brings Objectives to Life
7. A Look Into the Crystal Ball
On the Agenda...
Why does destination
matter?
Destination =
location, venue, space
Modern Meeting Planning Means Creating Experiences
80% of meeting planners report that their job
encompasses more experience creation
than it did 2-5 years ago.
This is why we are all here.
Source: IACC 2017 Meeting Room of the Future
Which elements in a destination or
venue do attendees care about?
1. Interactive technology (venue)
2. Flexible meeting space (space)
3. Session proximity (venue)
4. Learning local culture (destination)
5. F&B (venue)
6. Access to local experiences (destination)
7. Team building activities (destination)
Elements of meeting destinations/venues ranked
by their importance to meeting attendees. (IACC)
Source: IACC 2017 Meeting Room of the Future
Attendees Care About the Destination
The Destination is the Meeting’s Linchpin
Meetings that think about all elements are “purposeful meetings.”
The idea now defines what successful
experience design looks like.
The destination sets the stage for
a purposeful meeting that
becomes a memorable
experience.
Source: Purposeful Meetings White Paper
Purposeful meetings create deeper meaning, new thinking, and
fresh insights through holistic design that goes beyond just
delivering content.
But purposeful meetings can’t
happen without a purposeful
destination, which requires
a thought out selection
process.
A Thought-Out Selection Process
A destination can have a disportionate impact on the intangibles.
INTANGIBLE
Elements a planner can influence
but not fully control.
● Attendees
● Speakers
● Content
● P2P interaction
● Energy
The Intangibles and Tangibles of Meeting Design
TANGIBLE
Elements of the meeting that a
planner can directly control.
● The location
● The venue
● Room setup
● F&B
● Audio/Visual
● Decor
Why does destination matter?
As we try to create
experiences, the
destination and venue
are the most important
elements that are in a
planner’s control.
● The city can set the stage for the
meeting’s message
● Its climate can lift attendee
spirits.
● A modern, airy, and bright venue
can impact attendee moods.
● How the space is set up impacts
networking and spontaneous
interaction.
● Fresh and healthy F&B can
increase an event’s energy.
What role does location
play in experience design?
All Memories Start With a Place
Experience design aims to create memorable experiences.
Those memories start with a place...
“I would never be able to do x if I weren’t...
● “at this point in my life.”
● “at this exact time.”
● “with these people.”
● “here, in this place.”
The City Serves as the Perfect Backdrop for the Content
City Message
Boston Revolution
Detroit Revival
Austin Authenticity
Philadelphia Independence
City Expertise
NYC Finance
DC Advocacy
Las Vegas Hospitality
San Francisco Innovation
It drives attendance,
especially for non-frequent
attendees.
For those who never or occasionally
attend, it’s an even bigger part of
the decision.
Source: Experience Institute Decision to Attend Study
Importance of Destination / Location
by attendance frequency
The City Drives Attendance
Source: Experience Institute Decision to Attend Study
Lack of destination
appeal is the 5th
highest barrier to
attendance
amongst meetings
attendees.
The City Can Be a Barrier to Entry
What Makes a City
“the City”?
93% of international event planners say a destination’s
cultural highlights are an important part of choosing
where they host meetings and events.
Source: London & Partners Study
Local Culture is Key for International Planners
Attendees Want to Get Out of the Building
What percentage of convention/exhibition
attendees are likely to get out and about in town
during their stay at a destination?
Driven by a millennial mindset,
attendees want to get out of the
venue and explore their host
cities.
Planners need to choose
destinations with this in mind.
Source: Experience Institute Decision to Attend Study
The Rise of the Rest
Midsize cities are making
more than midsize moves.
Cities like Nashville, Phoenix, and
Denver are investing in infrastructure
and leveraging unique local assets to
differentiate themselves and woo
planners.
How makes a city, “the city”?
Denver
The city of Denver is building a hyperloop-inspired
transport system that will move people around
major destinations and Colorado cities
at over 200 mph.
How makes a city, “the city”?
Nashville
Saw a 38% increase in conventions between 2011 and
2016 thanks to a series of moves including the
documentary titled “For the Love
of Music.”
Source: Skift Rise of Midsize Cities
How makes a city, “the city”?
Phoenix
In the past decade, the city has…
● quadrupled their amount of startups.
● invested $5 billion in infrastructure.
● strategically planned venues
in close proximity to
cultural staples.
Source: Skift Rise of Midsize Cities
Mid-size Cities Are More Approachable
Smaller markets represent the authentic and
the unexpected.
Second- and third-tier cities can offer world-
class meeting facilities and appealing local
experiences — all at a lower cost than
first-tier cities.
Leverage local knowledge economies to boost the
content and credibility of the event.
Cleveland, for example, is bringing together experts from
local healthcare companies, scientific research
institutions, and the startup community
to reinvent the city as a desirable
location for medical
conferences.
Knowledge Economies May be Attractive to Some Planners
How makes a city, “the city”?
CVBs are setting themselves apart by marketing
local assets, knowledge economies, cultures, and
other unique elements of their cities.
Planners can take advantage to
close the “knowledge gap.”
The Right Destination Can Leave a Lasting Legacy
A great choice of destination creates the
opportunity to leave a legacy.
At the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International
Conference, the organization worked with
London & Partners to turn the 6,000
LED lights of the London Eye
purple in honor of
Alzheimer’s care
and research.
Choosing the Venue with
Purpose in Mind
Choosing the Purposeful Venue
What makes a venue the right “place” for planners?
Source: The Site Visit Revisited Survey
The key elements of choosing a
space are shifting.
As elements like WiFi and A/V become more
standardized in quality, planners are looking
to new elements and focusing on diversifying
the space.
Choosing the Purposeful Venue
Source: IACC 2017 Meeting Room of the Future
EVERYTHING is a meeting space.
Hotel infrastructure is becoming less important in
destination selection, as non-traditional spaces
(and demand for those spaces) continue to
increase.
Choosing the Purposeful Venue
Choosing the Purposeful Venue
Find the hidden gem right under your nose.
Growth in non-traditional spaces is making it easier for planners
to differentiate meetings without exploring new cities.
Demand for these spaces will continue
to increase as technology makes it
easier for planners to connect
with these properties.
Venue Venues
Don’t be afraid to add the “S”
By using modern venue sourcing engines
planners are able to find venues near the
headquarter hotel and get attendees
out of the four walls of the
ballroom.
Choosing the Purposeful Venue
Choosing the Purposeful Venue
Look for venues that break down walls —
literally and figuratively.
“Spaces designed to promote engagement
increase the likelihood of collisions...
More collisions create positive
outcomes.”
-Harvard Business Review
Image: C2 Montreal
So how do planners go
about “purposefully”
choosing a meeting
destination?
It’s time to add a fourth
dimension to an age-old
equation.
How do you choose a “purposeful” destination?
Rates
Dates
Space
PLACE
Place is more than just a physical destination.
It’s everything that makes that destination unique.
How do you choose a “purposeful” destination?
Culture
People
Diversity Innovation
Perception
Aesthetic
Authenticity
Growth
History
Knowledge
economy
Legacy
Ideals
Values
WHY
The overall purpose of
having this
meeting/event is…
The search for place ALWAYS starts with the objective.
WHEN
What is the desired
timeframe for this
meeting? Is it flexible?
WHO
Who are the people
who should attend?
Who are the
stakeholders?
WHAT
The desired outcome of
successful meeting or
event looks like…
WHERE
Which
destination will
best bring all of
these W’s to life?
CITY
VENUE
SPACE
How do you choose a “purposeful” destination?
PurposeIdentification
Source: Marriott’s Meeting Imagined
EachoccasionhasitsownsetofW’s
CITY
How do you choose a “purposeful” destination?
Celebrate
VENUE
● local leisure activities that allow for
bonding
● a warm, sunny climate that
encourages good vibes
● feels like a reward and allows
attendees to get away
● an affordable destination for SOs
● lots of natural light
● doesn’t feel too professional or like
a workspace
● represents a direct relationship to
what’s being celebrated (e.g.
innovation awards at a high-tech
theatre)
● known for decisions that have
shaped major outcomes
● represents innovation or progress
from forward thinkers
● is the home of a major intellectual
hub for the industry-at-hand
● a city with an attitude/confidence
● remote and distraction-free
● inspires focus on the task at hand
and minimizes distraction
● has spaces that can create
intimate and inclusive
environments
CITY
How do you choose a “purposeful” destination?
Decide
VENUE
● provides flexibility of setup to
create a unique educational
experience
● provides breakout rooms for
further discussion
● has enough space for mental
breaks
● allows easy access to
industry-specific speakers and
knowledge (“knowledge hub”)
● is at the forefront of the industry or
topic at hand
● has a legacy of educational
excellence
CITY
How do you choose a “purposeful” destination?
Educate
VENUE
● will likely be a small space but
shouldn’t feel stifling
● is innovative enough to inspire
ideation
● is unique enough to encourage
out-of-the-box thinking
● is at the forefront of the industry or
topic at hand
● shows beginnings of major
innovation but still early
● is emblematic of new beginnings
and ways of thinking
● connects to what you’re trying to
create
CITY
How do you choose a “purposeful” destination?
Ideate
VENUE
● includes plenty of common space
for co-mingling and collision
● is a conversation-starter
● allows opportunity to personalize
elements/spaces where similar
personas can connect based on
preference
● is appealing enough to promote
travel to the city
● includes opportunity for a variety of
authentic experiences that can be
enjoyed in groups
● encourages people to stay out of
their rooms where they will be
isolated
CITY
How do you choose a “purposeful” destination?
Network
VENUE
● feels closed off from distraction or
judgement
● inspires focus on the task at hand
and minimizes distraction
● lots of natural light; colorful
interiors; modern
● adaptable to the desired workshop
● ties back to the organization or
purpose at hand
● gives the working team the
opportunity to bond/relax in off
hours
● encourages people to stay out of
their rooms where they will be
isolated
CITY
How do you choose a “purposeful” destination?
Produce
VENUE
● includes space for exhibition
and/or demonstration
● large screens + state-of-the-art AV
● modern or newly renovated
● promotes sharing on social media
● draws in/incentivizes sponsors
● has a media presence that will
extend reach
● feels as new and exciting as the
product or release that is being
promoted
● directly benefits from the product
or release
CITY
How do you choose a “purposeful” destination?
Promote
VENUE
Creating the Space That
Brings Objectives to Life
Creating a Purposeful Space
The Old Way:
Classroom
The New Way:
Learning Pods
Ditch traditional seating layouts for objective-based design.
Creating a Purposeful Space
Turn expectations upside-down to create new outcomes.
The Old Way:
High Boys (Standing)
The New Way:
Parisian Cafe Style (Sitting)
Creating a Purposeful Space
Make one space feel like many.
Creating a Purposeful Space
Rethink the idea of a “seat.”
At TEDxSommerville attendees were
given large pillow chairs from Yogibo.
The event was held at an indoor
rock climbing facility.
Pop-up offices let attendees create their own
environment, making for a very
user-driven experience.
Creating a Purposeful Space
Let attendees create their own space.
Map it all out with event technology.
● Help vendors and exhibitors visualize
the space pre-event
● Share diagrams before the event so
attendees can plan their experiences
● Collaborative diagramming tools
allow properties and planners
to work through the
layout together
Creating a Purposeful Space
What does the future of
strategic destination
selection look like?
Control over event
scheduling could move
away from the organizer...
Would attendees decide a
meeting’s destination? Or
perhaps an algorithm?
The Future of Destination Selection
The Future of Destination Selection
Technology will match people to places more effectively.
Surveying will integrate with venue sourcing
platforms, creating algorithms that predict
the success of a given event in a given
venue-based on search criteria.
The Future of Destination Selection
Convenience will create more opportunity for creativity.
Home sharing and self-driving cars will open up
mid-size cities to more and
more events by making
convenience and room
blocks less of a
factor.
A marketplace for event spaces that
meets the unique needs of today’s planner.
Q&A
socialtables.com
Dan Berger
Founder, CEO
Social Tables
dan@socialtables.com
Please take this time to rate the
session on the WEC mobile
application.

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Where You Meet Matters

  • 1. Where You Meet Matters: How to Choose a Purposeful Meeting Destination Dan Berger Founder, CEO Social Tables
  • 2. Presenter-Audience Contract Share everything! Find me on Twitter/insta: @danberger Stop me any time with questions No need to take notes. Give me a card and I’ll follow up with the full deck... ⚠ Go easy on me (first time presentation!) Your time is valuable. Please feel free to leave if you need to. ⏰
  • 3. I’m a planner. I’m a supplier. I’m a believer. I’m a participant.
  • 4. We connect the hospitality industry through effortless group management technology that creates successful face-to-face events. A sample of the 60+ awards Social Tables and its leadership have received.
  • 5. 100 employees Raised $23 million Founded in 2011
  • 6. Group Sales Planner Tools Event Services An End-to-End Group Sales & Service Platform for Hotels to Increase Revenue and Drive Loyalty
  • 7. Lead Capture Lead Intelligence Sales Enablement Group Sales: The only collaborative event sales solution that increases qualified leads and drives direct revenue.
  • 8. Accurate Diagramming Value-Add Planner Tools Streamlined Communication Event Services: The only collaborative event management software that drives both profits and loyalty.
  • 9. Free Tools for Planners: Find venues, manage events, and win clients — all in an easy-to-use, cloud-based platform. Sourcing & DiscoveryDiagramming Seating & Check-In
  • 10. 1. Why Does Destination Matter? 2. What Role Does the Location Play in Meeting Design? 3. What Makes a City “the City”? 4. Choosing the Venue With Purpose in Mind 5. A Fresh Framework for Thinking About Destinations 6. Creating the Space That Brings Objectives to Life 7. A Look Into the Crystal Ball On the Agenda...
  • 11. Why does destination matter? Destination = location, venue, space
  • 12. Modern Meeting Planning Means Creating Experiences 80% of meeting planners report that their job encompasses more experience creation than it did 2-5 years ago. This is why we are all here. Source: IACC 2017 Meeting Room of the Future
  • 13. Which elements in a destination or venue do attendees care about? 1. Interactive technology (venue) 2. Flexible meeting space (space) 3. Session proximity (venue) 4. Learning local culture (destination) 5. F&B (venue) 6. Access to local experiences (destination) 7. Team building activities (destination) Elements of meeting destinations/venues ranked by their importance to meeting attendees. (IACC) Source: IACC 2017 Meeting Room of the Future Attendees Care About the Destination
  • 14. The Destination is the Meeting’s Linchpin Meetings that think about all elements are “purposeful meetings.” The idea now defines what successful experience design looks like. The destination sets the stage for a purposeful meeting that becomes a memorable experience. Source: Purposeful Meetings White Paper
  • 15. Purposeful meetings create deeper meaning, new thinking, and fresh insights through holistic design that goes beyond just delivering content. But purposeful meetings can’t happen without a purposeful destination, which requires a thought out selection process. A Thought-Out Selection Process
  • 16. A destination can have a disportionate impact on the intangibles. INTANGIBLE Elements a planner can influence but not fully control. ● Attendees ● Speakers ● Content ● P2P interaction ● Energy The Intangibles and Tangibles of Meeting Design TANGIBLE Elements of the meeting that a planner can directly control. ● The location ● The venue ● Room setup ● F&B ● Audio/Visual ● Decor
  • 17. Why does destination matter? As we try to create experiences, the destination and venue are the most important elements that are in a planner’s control. ● The city can set the stage for the meeting’s message ● Its climate can lift attendee spirits. ● A modern, airy, and bright venue can impact attendee moods. ● How the space is set up impacts networking and spontaneous interaction. ● Fresh and healthy F&B can increase an event’s energy.
  • 18. What role does location play in experience design?
  • 19. All Memories Start With a Place Experience design aims to create memorable experiences. Those memories start with a place... “I would never be able to do x if I weren’t... ● “at this point in my life.” ● “at this exact time.” ● “with these people.” ● “here, in this place.”
  • 20. The City Serves as the Perfect Backdrop for the Content City Message Boston Revolution Detroit Revival Austin Authenticity Philadelphia Independence City Expertise NYC Finance DC Advocacy Las Vegas Hospitality San Francisco Innovation
  • 21. It drives attendance, especially for non-frequent attendees. For those who never or occasionally attend, it’s an even bigger part of the decision. Source: Experience Institute Decision to Attend Study Importance of Destination / Location by attendance frequency The City Drives Attendance
  • 22. Source: Experience Institute Decision to Attend Study Lack of destination appeal is the 5th highest barrier to attendance amongst meetings attendees. The City Can Be a Barrier to Entry
  • 23. What Makes a City “the City”?
  • 24. 93% of international event planners say a destination’s cultural highlights are an important part of choosing where they host meetings and events. Source: London & Partners Study Local Culture is Key for International Planners
  • 25. Attendees Want to Get Out of the Building What percentage of convention/exhibition attendees are likely to get out and about in town during their stay at a destination? Driven by a millennial mindset, attendees want to get out of the venue and explore their host cities. Planners need to choose destinations with this in mind. Source: Experience Institute Decision to Attend Study
  • 26. The Rise of the Rest Midsize cities are making more than midsize moves. Cities like Nashville, Phoenix, and Denver are investing in infrastructure and leveraging unique local assets to differentiate themselves and woo planners.
  • 27. How makes a city, “the city”? Denver The city of Denver is building a hyperloop-inspired transport system that will move people around major destinations and Colorado cities at over 200 mph.
  • 28. How makes a city, “the city”? Nashville Saw a 38% increase in conventions between 2011 and 2016 thanks to a series of moves including the documentary titled “For the Love of Music.” Source: Skift Rise of Midsize Cities
  • 29. How makes a city, “the city”? Phoenix In the past decade, the city has… ● quadrupled their amount of startups. ● invested $5 billion in infrastructure. ● strategically planned venues in close proximity to cultural staples. Source: Skift Rise of Midsize Cities
  • 30. Mid-size Cities Are More Approachable Smaller markets represent the authentic and the unexpected. Second- and third-tier cities can offer world- class meeting facilities and appealing local experiences — all at a lower cost than first-tier cities.
  • 31. Leverage local knowledge economies to boost the content and credibility of the event. Cleveland, for example, is bringing together experts from local healthcare companies, scientific research institutions, and the startup community to reinvent the city as a desirable location for medical conferences. Knowledge Economies May be Attractive to Some Planners
  • 32. How makes a city, “the city”? CVBs are setting themselves apart by marketing local assets, knowledge economies, cultures, and other unique elements of their cities. Planners can take advantage to close the “knowledge gap.”
  • 33. The Right Destination Can Leave a Lasting Legacy A great choice of destination creates the opportunity to leave a legacy. At the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, the organization worked with London & Partners to turn the 6,000 LED lights of the London Eye purple in honor of Alzheimer’s care and research.
  • 34. Choosing the Venue with Purpose in Mind
  • 35. Choosing the Purposeful Venue What makes a venue the right “place” for planners? Source: The Site Visit Revisited Survey
  • 36. The key elements of choosing a space are shifting. As elements like WiFi and A/V become more standardized in quality, planners are looking to new elements and focusing on diversifying the space. Choosing the Purposeful Venue Source: IACC 2017 Meeting Room of the Future
  • 37. EVERYTHING is a meeting space. Hotel infrastructure is becoming less important in destination selection, as non-traditional spaces (and demand for those spaces) continue to increase. Choosing the Purposeful Venue
  • 38. Choosing the Purposeful Venue Find the hidden gem right under your nose. Growth in non-traditional spaces is making it easier for planners to differentiate meetings without exploring new cities. Demand for these spaces will continue to increase as technology makes it easier for planners to connect with these properties.
  • 39. Venue Venues Don’t be afraid to add the “S” By using modern venue sourcing engines planners are able to find venues near the headquarter hotel and get attendees out of the four walls of the ballroom. Choosing the Purposeful Venue
  • 40. Choosing the Purposeful Venue Look for venues that break down walls — literally and figuratively. “Spaces designed to promote engagement increase the likelihood of collisions... More collisions create positive outcomes.” -Harvard Business Review Image: C2 Montreal
  • 41. So how do planners go about “purposefully” choosing a meeting destination?
  • 42. It’s time to add a fourth dimension to an age-old equation. How do you choose a “purposeful” destination? Rates Dates Space PLACE
  • 43. Place is more than just a physical destination. It’s everything that makes that destination unique. How do you choose a “purposeful” destination? Culture People Diversity Innovation Perception Aesthetic Authenticity Growth History Knowledge economy Legacy Ideals Values
  • 44. WHY The overall purpose of having this meeting/event is… The search for place ALWAYS starts with the objective. WHEN What is the desired timeframe for this meeting? Is it flexible? WHO Who are the people who should attend? Who are the stakeholders? WHAT The desired outcome of successful meeting or event looks like… WHERE Which destination will best bring all of these W’s to life? CITY VENUE SPACE How do you choose a “purposeful” destination?
  • 45. PurposeIdentification Source: Marriott’s Meeting Imagined EachoccasionhasitsownsetofW’s
  • 46. CITY How do you choose a “purposeful” destination? Celebrate VENUE ● local leisure activities that allow for bonding ● a warm, sunny climate that encourages good vibes ● feels like a reward and allows attendees to get away ● an affordable destination for SOs ● lots of natural light ● doesn’t feel too professional or like a workspace ● represents a direct relationship to what’s being celebrated (e.g. innovation awards at a high-tech theatre)
  • 47. ● known for decisions that have shaped major outcomes ● represents innovation or progress from forward thinkers ● is the home of a major intellectual hub for the industry-at-hand ● a city with an attitude/confidence ● remote and distraction-free ● inspires focus on the task at hand and minimizes distraction ● has spaces that can create intimate and inclusive environments CITY How do you choose a “purposeful” destination? Decide VENUE
  • 48. ● provides flexibility of setup to create a unique educational experience ● provides breakout rooms for further discussion ● has enough space for mental breaks ● allows easy access to industry-specific speakers and knowledge (“knowledge hub”) ● is at the forefront of the industry or topic at hand ● has a legacy of educational excellence CITY How do you choose a “purposeful” destination? Educate VENUE
  • 49. ● will likely be a small space but shouldn’t feel stifling ● is innovative enough to inspire ideation ● is unique enough to encourage out-of-the-box thinking ● is at the forefront of the industry or topic at hand ● shows beginnings of major innovation but still early ● is emblematic of new beginnings and ways of thinking ● connects to what you’re trying to create CITY How do you choose a “purposeful” destination? Ideate VENUE
  • 50. ● includes plenty of common space for co-mingling and collision ● is a conversation-starter ● allows opportunity to personalize elements/spaces where similar personas can connect based on preference ● is appealing enough to promote travel to the city ● includes opportunity for a variety of authentic experiences that can be enjoyed in groups ● encourages people to stay out of their rooms where they will be isolated CITY How do you choose a “purposeful” destination? Network VENUE
  • 51. ● feels closed off from distraction or judgement ● inspires focus on the task at hand and minimizes distraction ● lots of natural light; colorful interiors; modern ● adaptable to the desired workshop ● ties back to the organization or purpose at hand ● gives the working team the opportunity to bond/relax in off hours ● encourages people to stay out of their rooms where they will be isolated CITY How do you choose a “purposeful” destination? Produce VENUE
  • 52. ● includes space for exhibition and/or demonstration ● large screens + state-of-the-art AV ● modern or newly renovated ● promotes sharing on social media ● draws in/incentivizes sponsors ● has a media presence that will extend reach ● feels as new and exciting as the product or release that is being promoted ● directly benefits from the product or release CITY How do you choose a “purposeful” destination? Promote VENUE
  • 53. Creating the Space That Brings Objectives to Life
  • 54. Creating a Purposeful Space The Old Way: Classroom The New Way: Learning Pods Ditch traditional seating layouts for objective-based design.
  • 55. Creating a Purposeful Space Turn expectations upside-down to create new outcomes. The Old Way: High Boys (Standing) The New Way: Parisian Cafe Style (Sitting)
  • 56. Creating a Purposeful Space Make one space feel like many.
  • 57. Creating a Purposeful Space Rethink the idea of a “seat.” At TEDxSommerville attendees were given large pillow chairs from Yogibo. The event was held at an indoor rock climbing facility.
  • 58. Pop-up offices let attendees create their own environment, making for a very user-driven experience. Creating a Purposeful Space Let attendees create their own space.
  • 59. Map it all out with event technology. ● Help vendors and exhibitors visualize the space pre-event ● Share diagrams before the event so attendees can plan their experiences ● Collaborative diagramming tools allow properties and planners to work through the layout together Creating a Purposeful Space
  • 60. What does the future of strategic destination selection look like?
  • 61. Control over event scheduling could move away from the organizer... Would attendees decide a meeting’s destination? Or perhaps an algorithm? The Future of Destination Selection
  • 62. The Future of Destination Selection Technology will match people to places more effectively. Surveying will integrate with venue sourcing platforms, creating algorithms that predict the success of a given event in a given venue-based on search criteria.
  • 63. The Future of Destination Selection Convenience will create more opportunity for creativity. Home sharing and self-driving cars will open up mid-size cities to more and more events by making convenience and room blocks less of a factor.
  • 64. A marketplace for event spaces that meets the unique needs of today’s planner.
  • 66. Please take this time to rate the session on the WEC mobile application.