Agenda Customization Strategies

🚀 The Era of One-Size-Fits-All Events Is Over. Stop Doing It. Personalization isn't a single action, it's a series of intentional, strategic choices that come together to make every attendee feel genuinely valued. We’re not just organizing events anymore — we’re crafting journeys. 🧭 In today’s marketplace, attendees expect more than just a badge and a schedule. They want curated content, meaningful connections, and real-time relevance that makes them feel seen. That’s where hyper-personalization comes in. And no, it’s not just using someone’s name in an email. It’s about using data and technology to design experiences that feel custom-built for each person. 🧠📊 As an event marketer, I’m all in on data-driven strategy. This is where we move beyond logistics and design every touchpoint to be personal, memorable, and valuable. Here's some ways that can look like across the attendee journey: Before the Event: 🎯 Targeted Invitations & Content: Use behavioral data to send invites that speak directly to someone's interests. A marketer might get a blog post on campaign strategy, while a developer receives a product case study. 📝 Dynamic Registration: Ask tailored questions based on the attendee’s role or industry to build rich attendee profiles from the start. During the Event: 🤖 AI-Powered Agendas & Recommendations: Event apps can recommend sessions, speakers, and exhibitors based on real-time behavior, interests, and profiles — reducing decision fatigue and maximizing impact. 🤝 Smart Networking: Go beyond job titles. Use AI to match attendees with shared goals, values, or expertise for deeper, more meaningful conversations. 🎉 Personalized On-Site Experiences: Greet attendees by name on welcome screens, print session tracks on badges, or use RFID to tailor in-person interactions. 📽️ Customized Content Delivery: Make booth visits unforgettable. When someone scans their badge, show a video personalized to their company, role, or industry — turning a quick interaction into a memorable moment. 🧢 Personalized Swag: Skip the generic t-shirt. Offer attendees the ability to choose colors, styles, or even print their name on a water bottle or notebook. After the Event 📬 Tailored Follow-Up: Instead of a generic “thanks for coming,” send curated content based on sessions they attended, people they connected with, and their unique interests. 📚 Personalized Content Hubs: Create a portal where attendees can revisit the event — with homepages tailored to their track, interests, or role. 📊 Custom Surveys: Don’t ask vague questions. Personalize post-event feedback forms to reflect their specific journey. 🤔 What's one thing you're doing to add a touch of personalization to your events? Or, as an attendee, what's a personalization strategy that has truly impressed you? Let's share some ideas in the comments! #EventProfs #EventMarketing #HyperPersonalization #EventTech #ExperienceDesign #EventStrategy #PersonalizedExperiences

Hosting a facilitation, meeting, or workshop soon? Consider this: Have you asked your audience what they want or need? You might be the expert, with a clear agenda in mind. But here are four compelling reasons to ASK FIRST, and build second: #1- Relevance and Customization: When you seek input, you ensure your content is tailored to your audience's needs, interests, and goals. Relevance is key for engagement and knowledge transfer, making sure your time together truly counts. We want participants to (1) leave feeling it was time well spent and (2) apply their newfound knowledge to their everyday lives. #2- Engagement and Buy-In: Involving participants in the planning process boosts their engagement, commitment, and sense of ownership. When people help shape the agenda, they actively participate and truly invest in the meeting. We want participants to care deeply about the meeting's purpose and be actively involved. No room for disinterested attendees! #3- Diverse Perspectives: Every participant brings unique viewpoints and experiences to the table. In a world filled with cognitive biases, gathering input helps unearth overlooked areas, fosters fresh ideas, and promotes a more well-rounded discussion. We want sessions that are accessible and inclusive, ensuring no stone goes unturned. #4- Respect and Inclusivity: Valuing participants' input demonstrates respect and inclusivity. It nurtures a culture of respect and trust within the group. When people feel valued, they give more, share more, and engage more. We want participants to bring their best selves to the table, leveraging their expertise for a more impactful outcome. Remember, the power of asking lies in the potential for meaningful collaboration and co-creation (even in the face of potential downsides to doing so). So, the next time you plan an event, don't forget to reach out and ask your audience what they want or need. It might just be the key to unlocking your collective success! #Collaboration #curiosity #Engagement #Inclusivity #changemanagement

For many Chief Revenue and Marketing Officers (as well as their teams), it's time to plan their next sales/global kickoff (SKO/GKO). Here are a handful of ideas to consider: 1. Motivation/Inspiration is Temporary. Practical and pragmatic insights that are actionable will create far greater value than the keynote the audience can't remember 20 min after it is over. 2. Expert first; Speaker Distant Second. Put people who can defend their position on your stage, not just those who regurgitate a book report. Fads pass. Real expertise is earned, demonstrated, and validated by others. 3. Relevance + Development = Value Creation. A keynote is a taste of the ice cream. Give your audience the chance to really understand, internalize, and create opportunities to apply relevant knowledge for 2024 success in their personal and professional growth journey. 4. Alignment of Strategy with GTM Motions. Every agenda presented on that stage should be aligned, supportive, enabling, or otherwise a contributor to the execution of a clearly understood strategy/vision and the path to get there. If you confuse, you lose. 5. Outsiders Should Become Strong Messengers of Your Message. Beyond their particular area of expertise, demand customization and personalization of their message to engage and influence the audience to think and lead differently in the new year. Bonus: Your Biggest Underdeveloped Asset (and often only sustainable differentiator) Are Your Relationships - both within and external to your organization. Make time for real and meaningful insights and connections between your attendees. How you open will set the tone for the gathering. How you close will set the tone for the year! And get your leadership some speaking coaching! They're ambassadors of your brand. #CRO #CMO #SalesKickoff #GlobalKickoff #SKO #GKO #SKOAgenda #GKOAgenda #SalesMeeting #RelationshipEconomics

A well-crafted agenda can boost participation and engagement in your requirements and design workshops 🚀 Take a look at this agenda from my recent client engagement to see what makes it effective: 👉 Keep It Simple: Use straightforward language that anyone can understand. Avoid jargon and overly formal terms that can confuse rather than clarify. 👉 Be Direct: Make the objectives clear and show how each goal aligns with stakeholder interests. This clarity motivates participation and demonstrates the value of their input. 👉 Set Realistic Expectations: Acknowledge that achieving goals takes time. By managing expectations from the outset, you prepare stakeholders for the future workshops ahead. 👉 Define Participation: Clearly indicate who needs to be there and who can decide if it's in their interest. When key participants can't attend, I have a set of proven strategies to ensure the workshop remains productive and all necessary voices are heard. Optional attendees are there as an FYI. ----------------------------- 🚀 Ready to level up your BA skills? Join our free 3-lesson primer and start your learning today: https://lnkd.in/g5XdjzcG ----------------------------- 🤔 Over to you: How do you handle it when a key workshop participant can't attend? Share your strategies below. 👇 #BusinessAnalysis #WorkshopSuccess #StakeholderCollaboration #ProjectManagement Image: The detailed agenda for one of the many workshops I've led throughout my 2-decade-long BA career.