Ready to jump in bed with the storytellers of Crossover 2019?

…to listen to bedtime stories, of course.

Just like bedtime stories that we used to listen to as children, every event creates and shares its own story. A well-told story is an event where the narrator and the listener meet, where the participant and the speaker form a personal bond. Before you come to the hottest conference of the summer, we wanted you to meet our storytellers, to make the storytelling experience even stronger and more engaging.

Q: How are we going to organize events in the future?

The term ‘event’ tends to conjure up images of a room full of delegates listening to a speaker behind a podium or a hall full of exhibition stands. Yes, these are experiences, but they are a far cry from what is possible. Event audiences are changing. The days of thinking of event goers as a passive audience to be presented to are gone. Today’s event audiences are digitally enabled, more demanding, more impatient and have high expectations that events will be more engaging, personalized and participatory. In the future, the most successful event experiences will be designed around significant strategic knowledge of the target audience. This insight is applied to creatively design an experience that is specifically intended to actively engage the audience.

Q: Is there something you would like to change in the world of events?

Changing audiences ultimately mean that event formats must evolve. Relying on the traditional approaches and expertise that the events industry has been using for years to design event experiences will not be sufficient to create the next generation of events. Continuing to design events in a traditional, logistics-led way limits our potential to create engaging experiences that connect attendees in much more meaningful, memorable and shareable ways.

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

There’s never been a better time to be an experience designer. An increasing amount of corporate marketing budget is moving to experiences as marketers recognize the value of experience as a powerful approach to building and sustaining strong customer relationships and creating opportunities for brand innovation and growth. At MCI Experience I get to work with a very talented team of industry leaders in experience marketing strategy, creative, digital and interactive technology with a focus on developing enhanced services in support existing and new MCI Group clients around the world.

Q: In your opinion, what is live marketing’s best advantage?

Today brand marketers understand that experience is a key facet of the marketing mix. Many brands are now increasing and/or shifting their marketing spend to include live experiences in order to cut through the digital marketing clutter and build relationships with tomorrow’s consumers. They realise that their brand must remain visible and relevant. Using immersive experiences are key to inspiring action, igniting emotion and extending their brand/products.

Q: What are you bringing to Conventa Crossover?

I bring more than 30 years of global experience in marketing, communications, brand strategy and events. Working in some of the world’s leading experience agencies I have developed experience marketing strategies and campaigns for leading brands including clients IBM, BMW, Cisco, Salesforce.com, McDonalds and P&G and have produced events like Cisco Live, Dreamforce, and Cisco House and the Panasonic Pavilion at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Q: What do you expect from Crossover in Ljubljana?

I am looking forward to experiencing the unique format of the Conventa Crossover event designed to encourage interaction, meet and learn from the events and experience marketing leaders from the region and hopefully share insights and ideas that are of value and that inspire us to embrace the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for the experience marketing industry.

Q: Why should an attendee not miss your session?

The primary theme of my presentation is on how we need to move from thinking about ourselves as event planners to instead becoming experience designers. Experience design requires applying a set of planning principals that enables us to move beyond the more traditional approach to event planning towards a more structured, attendee-centric, insights-driven and strategic way of planning events. Design thinking is a unique way of problem solving but with a solutions-focused and human-centric approach. The attendee or audience is very much at the centre of the design thinking process. By developing a deeper understanding of our target audience, we gain insight and empathy to come up with more strategic and creative event solutions.

Q: Hashtag suggestion for the 2019 edition?

#mciexperience

Ready to jump in bed with the storytellers of Crossover 2019?

…to listen to bedtime stories, of course.

Just like bedtime stories that we used to listen to as children, every event creates and shares its own story. A well-told story is an event where the narrator and the listener meet, where the participant and the speaker form a personal bond. Before you come to the hottest conference of the summer, we wanted you to meet our storytellers, to make the storytelling experience even stronger and more engaging.

Q: How are we going to organize events in the future?

We will begin to analyze and design them with a focus on “why” and “what for”, before jumping to planning and execution. The main objective of the event must be to change the behavior of its stakeholders. When we design and organize events we must apply the formulas that the market offers us, be it through technology, gastronomy, gamification, decoration, content, format or long, etc. The success will be integrating all these formulas in a coherent way for the objective of the event.

Q: Is there something you would like to change in the world of events?

In line with the previous answer, it is no longer enough to plan events, it is necessary to create unique and memorable experiences that provide a differential value. It is necessary to design and organize events with a strategic vision. What is the objective of the event? What value does it provide to stakeholders? What are their needs?
These are key questions that need time to be answered.

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

My work forces me to reinvent myself every day. The Events Industry is alive and constantly evolving. I am passionate about discovering and developing new trends, methodologies, tools and implementing them in the consulting projects we carry out. I love to see talent in action!

Q: In your opinion, what is live marketing’s best advantage?

Spontaneity in real time. It allows observation and active listening; human-to-human dialogues and enriching networking.

Q: What are you bringing to Conventa Crossover?

My topic will be EMEC20 and the design process, using the Event Canvas Innovation Methodology.

Q: What do you expect from Crossover in Ljubljana?

Unique experiences, valuable content and networking opportunities to interact, participate and share expertise with other event professionals.

Q: Why should an attendee not miss your session?

We can no longer organize entertainment or emotions, we have to design aiming for the transformation of the behavior of the main stakeholders. This session aims to be an example of how strategic events are designed, with impact and that generate value for all stakeholders, based on the analysis of their needs and expectations for the event.

Q: Hashtag suggestion for the 2019 edition?

#ConventaLive #LiveExperiences

Ready to jump in bed with the storytellers of Crossover 2019?

…to listen to bedtime stories, of course.

Just like bedtime stories that we used to listen to as children, every event creates and shares its own story. A well-told story is an event where the narrator and the listener meet, where the participant and the speaker form a personal bond. Before you come to the hottest conference of the summer, we wanted you to meet our storytellers, to make the storytelling experience even stronger and more engaging.

Q: How are we going to organize events in the future?

The key today and tomorrow will be user-centric thinking and designing an event by creating an experience rather than a schedule.

Q: Is there something you would like to change in the world of events?

More attention to detail. More inspiration. More out-of-the-box ideas.

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

Empowering people by being able to create something that enables connections and inspiration, potentially changing people’s professional paths for better.

Q: In your opinion, what is live marketing’s best advantage?

\Not being exposed to ever-shrinking digital attention spans. The opportunity to think minutes and hours with live experiences rather than seconds in virtual interactions.

Q: What are you bringing to Conventa Crossover?

Motivation and curiosity to learn new things and get to know new people. And our story of why and how we built Fifteen Seconds.

Q: What do you expect from Crossover in Ljubljana?

A fun conference along with like-minded people from the industry.

Q: Why should an attendee not miss your session?

To learn about how to build a company based on a vision from scratch.

Q: Hashtag suggestion for the 2019 edition?

#experience

Ready to jump in bed with the storytellers of Crossover 2019?

…to listen to bedtime stories, of course.

Just like bedtime stories that we used to listen to as children, every event creates and shares its own story. A well-told story is an event where the narrator and the listener meet, where the participant and the speaker form a personal bond. Before you come to the hottest conference of the summer, we wanted you to meet our storytellers, to make the storytelling experience even stronger and more engaging.

Q: How are we going to organize events in the future?

We should always refer to the personality of the brand behind the event. Every message and every move should be in harmony with brand values, attributes and character.

Q: Is there something you would like to change in the world of events?

Event managers should know more about brands and branding in order to communicate more than just the event itself.

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

It is never the same, a have to learn so much about so many different things, people, history, future, trends and myself.

Q: In your opinion, what is live marketing’s best advantage?

Giving target groups the possibility to participate in your story, to be part of something that means a lot for them.

Q: What are you bringing to Conventa Crossover?

Perfect background thinking to event managers and executors.

Q: What do you expect from Crossover in Ljubljana?

To broaden my knowledge, widen my thinking scope and meet interesting people.

Q: Why should an attendee not miss your session?

Will give him good hints for better events.

Q: Hashtag suggestion for the 2019 edition?

#brand_event_ brent #brenting #branding

Ready to jump in bed with the storytellers of Crossover 2019?

…to listen to bedtime stories, of course.

Just like bedtime stories that we used to listen to as children, every event creates and shares its own story. A well-told story is an event where the narrator and the listener meet, where the participant and the speaker form a personal bond. Before you come to the hottest conference of the summer, we wanted you to meet our storytellers, to make the storytelling experience even stronger and more engaging.

Q: How are we going to organize events in the future?

Applied digitalization trends are inevitable in today’s event management industry. They are to be of a great advantage in facilitating the process of both attending and managing an event. I read somewhere, “The more digital events become, the more valuable live communication will be”. I couldn’t agree more. So digitalization yes, but the future will create even greater need of focus on the event content, its live segments and emotional engagement attendees will need to inquire. There has to be balance between the digital experience and the human experience.

Q: Is there something you would like to change in the world of events?

We have all been witnesses that many event attendees tend to participate in events through the lenses of their cameras, rather than the lenses of their own eyes. I would say that this would be the challenge of event profs in the future, how to make attendees digest content, rather than only capture and share content? How to make people move into action? I would change the way we set event goals and what we implement along the way to meet them.  In other words, we need to be very innovative as to how we build the road to meet the event goals.

Secondly, we need to evolve when it comes to client-event profs communication. For example, in North Macedonia, we are facing a market where event visual identity is sometimes more important than event content. So our constant challenge is to find ways and change the perception that our clients create for their events, by investing a lot into the form of developing event concepts. And we need to talk more about the ROI in events. It is a vital point when setting the event objectives and impact.

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

I love the adrenaline and the never-ending possibilities in creating unique experiences. “Multilevel multitasking multiplied multiple times is event management”. Actually, this quote says it all. Event profs are all mighty. ☺

Q: In your opinion, what is live marketing’s best advantage?

Its live. That is the main advantage. It can never go old and it will be even more valuable.

Q: What are you bringing to Conventa Crossover?

Story. I am bringing my story.

Q: What do you expect from Crossover in Ljubljana?

To learn, gain and share experiences, stories and know-how.

Q: Why should an attendee not miss your session?

It is a content journey through the story of successes and failures of one event entrepreneur. The stories of failed content and winning content in events. In other words, it will be a roller coaster ride.

Q: Hashtag suggestion for the 2019 edition?

#ExperienceCrossoverLive

Ready to jump in bed with the storytellers of Crossover 2019?

…to listen to bedtime stories, of course.

Just like bedtime stories that we used to listen to as children, every event creates and shares its own story. A well-told story is an event where the narrator and the listener meet, where the participant and the speaker form a personal bond. Before you come to the hottest conference of the summer, we wanted you to meet our storytellers, to make the storytelling experience even stronger and more engaging.

Q: How are we going to organize events in the future?

Same as we are organizing good events today but with technological innovations that maybe we can’t foresee at this point. Now, technologies like AI, VR, AR are influencing the event industry more and more. But, the basis of a good event is the content, the atmosphere, the idea, the set-up, the energy. All important elements that engage the public, empowers emotion, assures reaction and creates relationships.

Q: Is there something you would like to change in the world of events?

It would be nice the see the future of the events without the roll ups😊
Also, it is important to keep focus on the key pillar of every event. No matter what the technology and the future bring us the content should stay the king. Everything else is upgrade that can bring extra value and interest.

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

Working on new interesting projects that are sometimes ahead of their time. Willingness for constant education and development in communications in various industries, for different clients and brands. Also, opportunity for opening topics that involves the public and discussions. Like the topic of futurology, we launched last year on Future Tense conference – first Croatian conference on predictions on the development of business and life in the future.

Q: In your opinion, what is live marketing’s best advantage?

The possibility of two-way communications and direct feedback that is advantage both for customer and the brand.

Q: What are you bringing to Conventa Crossover?

I hope to share the best practices and experiences as a result of numerous projects and events that we have organized by thinking outside of the box and that very often generated extraordinary results.

Q: What do you expect from Crossover in Ljubljana?

The opportunity to learn new things as well as to transfer the knowledge and experience to participants. Also, I would like to see open discussions of conference topics that are relevant to communications, marketing and event industry. Meeting new people and having fun is valuable too.

Q: Hashtag suggestion for the 2019 edition?

#futurecross #crossoverandout

Ready to jump in bed with the storytellers of Crossover 2019?

…to listen to bedtime stories, of course.

Just like bedtime stories that we used to listen to as children, every event creates and shares its own story. A well-told story is an event where the narrator and the listener meet, where the participant and the speaker form a personal bond. Before you come to the hottest conference of the summer, we wanted you to meet our storytellers, to make the storytelling experience even stronger and more engaging.

Q: How are we going to organize events in the future?

Events are sometimes a testing ground for various ways of presenting, exchange, interacting, a frame for discussions and networking and so on, and often are the first to promote a new technology, showing how it works. There is a certain joy like on fair or in cinema connected to witnessing something new, a new invention, a new way of doing things. That is the fun side of any business. I think that events have started growing not only in numbers, but maturing as well, and when we start thinking about what events could be… when they grow up… It’s tought to say but events are not yet sufficiently explored form. After thousands of years of people gathering on events of different kinds, and that is the available history, the form of event, just like people attending it, hasn’t crucially changed except for the topics, fashion and the used technology. Not only that we love them the way they are, we just don’t ever think about them outside the practical aspect. Does technology affect the future of events? Sure. Does if affect it more than the unchallenged relation between a speaker and an audience? No, probably a change in our participation level and ways of interaction is more revolutionary, and puts technology where it belongs, in the toolbox. I think that in a world of tomorrow, we might rethink both how and why events are done and look for new ways to realize their reach and possible roles in our society.

Q: Is there something you would like to change in the world of events?

This is a „superpower“ question! Wherever we go, we all bring our culture and vision with us. Events are especially sensitive environments, where people make most of the content. I mean, physically. There are, say, twenty percent of chairs, and eighty percent humans in the room, not to mention bars and halls. No concept can survive a hostile audience. Concepts are fragile, intangible things and only people can give them power and bring them to life, to reality. So if we strive to introduce new and innovative concepts in such a challenging environment, here is what I would like to change. I would like that we become more open toward ideas of others and less eager to prove that we are the smartest. I would like to change the overall level of sensibility and raise more constructive communicators.

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

In my profession, which is design, every project is different and requires a full presence. You have to learn, watch and listen or you’ll miss the chance to pull off something remarkable. I love the fact that at every beginning of a project, the possibilities are completely open and with a well-chosen methodology, strong creative approach and collaborators who are willing to follow a vision even when it sounds risky, you can turn many potentially average projects into something much more.

Q: In your opinion, what is live marketing’s best advantage?

I would point out one obvious advantage, and that is that you have people who are actually there, and want to make the best of their time so they are dedicated and expect to take part. Each of them has something to say, something to contribute. There is a culture of attending events and staying kind of invisible, the culture of audience. But the fact that people physically arrive at some location, and that happens in a world where we swear in remote communication of all kinds, is wonderful.

Q: What are you bringing to Conventa Crossover?

I am bringing stories from Rovinj, where a brand new hotel has just opened, one of a kind.

Q: What do you expect from Crossover in Ljubljana?

I expect to learn something new.

Q: Why should an attendee not miss your session?

I will show collected material from behind the scenes of a project where even entering the front door is considered exclusive. The theme is visual and verbal concept and execution of communication designed in close interaction with the architecture, interior, place, legends, and guests’ expectations.

Q: Hashtag suggestion for the 2019 edition?

#InteractNow

Ready to jump in bed with the storytellers of Crossover 2019?

…to listen to bedtime stories, of course.

Just like bedtime stories that we used to listen to as children, every event creates and shares its own story. A well-told story is an event where the narrator and the listener meet, where the participant and the speaker form a personal bond. Before you come to the hottest conference of the summer, we wanted you to meet our storytellers, to make the storytelling experience even stronger and more engaging.

Q: How are we going to organize events in the future?

The future of events will be digital, virtual and viral…

Q: Is there something you would like to change in the world of events?

Our society is changing towards a digitized one, opening new chances and improved experience based on emerging technologies. Nowadays, the development of technology is influencing all our areas of life and of our workplace. Moreover, this digital revolution is shaping the entire services we are offering and the skills required to succeed in the new times. The key to success in event management is to keep eyes wide open to the latest trends and technologies, innovative ideas and skill set of the right expertise and the necessity of a comprehensive approach to tackle the latest trends.

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

I love my job because it is very diverse, inspiring and inclusive. It keeps me creative and always in between new ideas, new places and new people around the world.

Q: In your opinion, what is live marketing’s best advantage?

It’s all about the customer’s experience and satisfaction. Nowadays the consumers are technologically advanced therefore they have a higher level of expectations from product and brands. What is the key to success for us as marketers/ advertisers is to find ways to create positive and unforgettable emotion to our customers while promoting an event brand or product.

Q: What are you bringing to Conventa Crossover?

I would like share my expertise and experience in the event management sector and at the same time discuss the future of event planning and how important it is to pay attention to the technologies that are reshaping the event industry. Us, as event planners should be prepared to meet future challenges heads on and take bold necessary steps toward success.

Q: What do you expect from Crossover in Ljubljana?

As you mentioned in your presentation I am looking to network, get inspired, and exchange experiences in a fun and creative way.

Q: Why should an attendee not miss your session?

Because I think I am cool and I have interesting things to say☺.

Q: Hashtag suggestion for the 2019 edition?

#futurEvents

Ready to jump in bed with the storytellers of Crossover 2019?

…to listen to bedtime stories, of course.

Just like bedtime stories that we used to listen to as children, every event creates and shares its own story. A well-told story is an event where the narrator and the listener meet, where the participant and the speaker form a personal bond. Before you come to the hottest conference of the summer, we wanted you to meet our storytellers, to make the storytelling experience even stronger and more engaging.

Q: How are we going to organize events in the future?

Challenging question; Personally I would focus more on the insights of the; what do they want? Who is your audience, age gender, national or international audience etc.? Especially to attract a younger audience to events, they have different needs than people of 50 years old for example. Be clear about the outcome of the events, why should I participate in your event? What’s your mission, your goal? The choice of events is overwhelming and will continue to grow, and you want to attract the right audience to your event. And don’t forget: Time is under pressure at all ages. Therefore your message, your story is crucial to stand out from the market and to spread it among potential participants.

Q: Is there something you would like to change in the world of events?

Yes, definitely! I’m passionate about b2b influencer marketing and I would like to see that suppliers will implement influencer marketing as part of their long term strategy. A huge challenge ☺

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

Dynamic! Not one day is the same, you are in touch with people from all over the globe. It’s very diverse from strategic thinking to community building and creativity. And every day I learn something new, I love being an entrepreneur.

Q: By your opinion, what is live marketing’s best advantage?

The experience of course!

Q: What are you bringing to Conventa Crossover?

Passion and knowledge about B2B influencer marketing. Of course I’m interested and curious to meet other participants, sharing stories, exchange experiences with people from different countries and to learn.

Q: What do you expect from Crossover in Ljubljana?

To meet enthusiastic participants, speakers and partners. I have never attended Conventa, or Conventa Crossover, so I am curious.
Besides, I have never been to Ljubljana, heard great stories about the destination and the event.

Q: Why should an attendee not miss your session?

My session is interactive, fun and covers a very trending topic! Influencer marketing; you hear and read a lot about it; but what is influencer marketing exactly? And how can you use B2B influencer marketing for your event and or company? My session will share how to set-up a campaign, explain the profile of these influencers, and sharing case studies from the industry and beyond.

Q: Hashtag suggestion for the 2019 edition?

#Crossoverexperience
#Crossexperience19

Ready to jump in bed with the storytellers of Crossover 2019?

…to listen to bedtime stories, of course.

Just like bedtime stories that we used to listen to as children, every event creates and shares its own story. A well-told story is an event where the narrator and the listener meet, where the participant and the speaker form a personal bond. Before you come to the hottest conference of the summer, we wanted you to meet our storytellers, to make the storytelling experience even stronger and more engaging.

Q: How are we going to organize events in the future?

In co-creation and with a lot of creativity. Our encounters will be impactful and change the behavior of the audience.

Q: Is there something you would like to change in the world of events?

I have several suggestions for change:

1. Only organize an event if you want to achieve objectives. Make clear what your objectives are, which content suits these objectives and which experience you want to design for your audience.

2. Let a workshop be a real workshop and not just a short presentation.

3. Network sessions are more than a timeslot, standing tables and drinks. You have to design it.

4. And finally, my dream for the world (of events) is that we really make contact and create engagement around topics that really matter.

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

Contact and engagement. I love to give people confidence in their own creativity.

Q: By your opinion, what is live marketing’s best advantage?

Live communication is the most impactful way to arrange your objectives and change behavior of the audience, because they really experience the content. You can deliver a message without using words. They feel what the main message is and change.

Photo: Hans Klaver

Q: What are you bringing to Conventa Crossover?

A lot of energy, enthusiasm and creativity. A session that will open your eyes to a forgotten part of your audience; the introverted people.

Q: What do you expect from Crossover in Ljubljana?

I expect to go out of my comfort zone by spending five days alone in a city where I don’t know anyone. And I expect from the event itself to meet beautiful people and get new insights.

Q: Why should an attendee not miss your session?

You become aware that there are extroverted and introverted people. You will learn about the needs of introverted people and how you can apply these needs in your event design so you won’t miss 30% till 50% of your audience anymore. This will make your events more impactful.

Q: Hashtag suggestion for the 2019 edition?

#Eventdesignagainstpolarization #Conventa-Crossover2020

It’s easy to work with people who look like you. But we really earn credits as event designers if we can bring people closer together who think differently.

Photo: Emec Ramon van Jaarsveld (www.clickshots.nl)

Engaging introverts in extravert-ruled meetings

At a time when every event must be an experience – special and memorable – in which we fill programs of events and stimulate all the senses with light and sound, we forget that we lose part of the audience. 30-50% of the people is introvert and does not come into its own in such a stimulating setting where extraversion is rewarded and you have to stand up to give your opinion.

In this session you will experience how that can be done differently. Juup de Kanter takes you into the world of introverted people. What do they like, how do they flourish, what scares?

Then Juup zooms in on event design. How can you take into account differences between guests? How can an event look like for introverted people? How do you maximize learning, reflecting and interacting? How do you build peace and space? So that everyone can absorb the content at their own pace and can make a valuable contribution.

Learner Outcomes

1. Be aware there are extrovert and introvert people
2. The needs of introvert people
3. Apply these needs in event design