The difference between a "good" event and a "great" event really comes down to the guest experience. It's the small touches and the personalized service that truly makes an impact on an event's lasting impact. Fortunately, Catersource + The Special Event (May 2-5 in Anaheim) has got you covered with a full slate of sessions at this year's conference. And by purchasing an All Access Pass, you can gain insight from all of them.
David Merrell Presents: Designing Events in this New COVID Reality!
Tuesday, May 3 at 2:30 p.m.
Presented by David Merrell (CEO/Creative Director, AOO Events, Inc.) and Jaka Jaiteh (Senior Producer, AOO Events, Inc.)
Events have taken longer to come back due to COVID. Lead times and the design process have changed based on unexpected supply-side hurdles and new safety threats. Our clients and guests have grown weary of virtual technology and are determined to re-connect in person. How do we hold it together and adapt to this new reality? What can we offer our clients that would be meaningful and useful to them moving forward?
David Merrell and Sr. Producer Jaka Jaiteh share how they adapted new skills, products, and technology fast to offer relevancy to our clients and have found a balance between producing epic events—either online or live—while dealing with new client expectations. In this interactive session with the audience, David and Jaka will talk about three themes focusing on relevance and impact for live and virtual event business today and what lessons we can learn from it.
- Design + Flexibility: How to design event experiences with this new perspective considering the needs of the attendees and event hosts.
- Health + Wellness Trends: Corporations are moving to the forefront event goals that consider the safety and wellness of their attendees.
- Technology + Integration: The Metaverse is now a “thing.” How can we leverage event tools to deliver a multi-dimensional experience.
The Secret to Creating an Extraordinary Experience with Your Customers
Tuesday, May 3 at 2:30 p.m.
Presented by Christopher Salem (CEO - Executive Coach, CRS Group Holdings, LLC)
The difference between a great to an extraordinary meeting function is the ability to relate and understand your audience as a trusted source based on similar core values. The truth to creating an extraordinary experience and enhancing a sustainable platform for higher retention of members comes down to not "what you do" but "why you do what you do" from core values. It's what is compelling to them and not what makes your meeting unique. People relate to others based upon similar values. They are more likely to be engaged doing their part and inspire others to do more in their industry through being the example. This exemplifies the role of a Trusted Source in your space and leads to a more sustainable connection with your customers.
So how do you build this level of influence and what is the complete process to become a trusted source in your business? Come learn the types of content, platforms, communication style, and more as to what will make your business more compelling to your members for higher retention and sustainable growth.
Events 3.0: A Candid Conversation About the Future of Events UTURE OF EVENTS - Strategies, Marketing, New Business & Immersive Experiences
Tuesday, May 3 at 1:15 p.m.
Presented by Alicia Schiro (Founder & CEO, Aced It Events) and Elaine Pofeldt (Journalist, Elaine Pofeldt)
The event industry has forever changed! Event producers must reinvent their experiences to accommodate and innovate to stay relevant. Join Alicia Schiro, a world-renowned event producer featured in Forbes as a Solopreneur; The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business and Elaine Pofeldt, an independent journalist whose books focus on entrepreneurship and how to create a six-figure income in a one-person business. Join them as they discuss Alicia’s journey, a producer of cutting edge event concepts who built a million dollar company and expanded her clientele and offerings during a pandemic. Alicia transformed herself and her business making 2020 her most profitable year during one of the worst economic crises. Now, she wants to help others along their journey to reinvent their businesses for success. This interactive Q&A with the audience will answer your questions about reinvention, event evolution, content marketing strategies, new business and the way forward in the event industry.
The Future of Events: Innovative Lessons from the Frontlines of the Immersive Event & Experiential Entertainment Boom
Thursday, May 5 at 12:00 p.m.
Presented by Jordan Langer (CEO, Non Plus Ultra)
This discussion investigates what the remarkable rise of immersive events and the experience economy means for the events industry. With more and more interactions happening remotely, the demand has never been higher for impactful in-person events, experiences, and shared cultural moments. What do cultural and private event consumers want? What has to change about how events function and how experience designers can adapt? Why is the location and physical space still the most important decision for any event producer? What technologies are available that have radically changed what we thought was possible? This session brings together leaders in the field of immersive experiences, brand activations, location-based entertainment and event real estate to ask what the future holds for in-person events.
You will learn:
- The unmistakable changes (good and bad) the past 2 years have brought to the events industry.
- The importance of space in its through-line of creating an “Experience.”
- How technology is reshaping the way we look at (literally and figuratively) and produce events.
Custom Fabricated Pieces that Become Event Focal Points
Tuesday, May 3 at 1:15 p.m.
Presented by Cayetano Uribe (CEO, Cayetano y Monica Decoraciones) and Camila Uribe (Director of Marketing, Cayetano y Mónica Decoraciones)
Living in a completely globalized and digitalized world, we are all seeking to stand out and differentiate ourselves with bespoke experiences, custom-made products and personalized ideas.
With more than 37 years of know-how and experience in the event production industry, we take you through our design process for designing and creating custom fabrication pieces for events.
As the event industry grows exponentially, we have learned that every client wants their event to stand out from all others, this is why it is vital to create personalized pieces that become the décor´s focal points.
We can't wait to see you California next month!
