Life happens, and especially in 2021! We hope to get back on track and have more newsletters and articles again shortly! Cheers!

Your expectations, realities, and goals of an event, along with attendees, are not the same as they were a year ago. Does your current event model still work for a future that is honestly already here?

By the time in-person or hybrid meetings come back in full force, attendees will expect a virtual experience that works smoothly and is integrated effectively. The question we are facing now is:"What can this new connected,
digital environment actually look like?"

As in-person events begin to emerge again in the coming months, it will be important to understand that the attendee expectations are now different than they were a year ago.

Looking from a change management perspective, processes have to be different now. The addition of technology cannot be approached the same way as other past changes. Over the past year, attendees have already had the time to process this new change of embracing technology, feel and engage in any pushback, and eventually accept it.

By the time in-person or hybrid meetings come back in full force, attendees will expect a virtual experience that works smoothly and is integrated effectively.

During the past year, we have been forced to embrace technology to stay connected and move forward. With that comes a sense of a "new normal" and more integration of technology into our everyday lives. Whether we like it or not, the virtual attendee has been forced upon us and is here to stay. As you start to consider planning for in-person events in the future, begin to also think about how you can integrate a virtual experience into your event as well.

Welcome to a brand new year! Do you have any goals, resolutions, or priorities that you are starting for yourself or your business this year?

At Power Event Group, the technology field always has us looking at progress, where technology is heading, and thinking, "What If?".

The craziness of 2020 leads us to consider the phrase, "What If?". Until now, there were often too many things weighing us down and controlling the ways things had to be done. Take the time now to reconsider what an event looks like - and what it could look like.

When creating and building a completely new event model, there are different phases and layers to consider.

As we start to find the balance between what was, what is, and what will be, #eventprofs are being forced to change. While these changes will eventually lead to a brand new event landscape in the future, it comes with additional work, learning, and education from everyone involved.

The companies that support the event industry are all scrambling to create the next best idea or platform. While this is appreciated and exciting, the future promises and constant updates create a difficult and confusing picture for the present. As the options do begin to come into focus, take the time to reimagine the attendee experience. While it may be intimidating, don't feel obligated to follow the path of one specific technology company, especially if you feel there should be a better option. You may need to combine the ideas of several to create the full experience you are looking for.

As we venture through this unique year, we are starting to realize that some things in the event industry will be (or should be) different moving forward. We see this as a good thing. It provides an opportunity to step back for a moment - to reinvent and reimagine the ways things are done in the industry and what is truly possible. Instead of doing something "because that's the way it's done" or "the way we've always done it", we now have the unique opportunity to be at the forefront of creation and the beginning of something brand new. As events begin to return, take the time to reinvent and imagine them into what attendees are looking for and need today.

While this year has definitely been difficult, we have witnessed the effort, love, and passion planners like you have for the event industry. Planners are resilient and adaptive, especially in trying times such as these. With that, cue the rise of the virtual event!

While many of the publicized virtual events lately have been fantastic and grand, they are quite honestly out of reach for a lot of clients, businesses, and planners. We totally get that - and want you to know that these are not the only option for you. There is a way for your community, regardless of need or size, to continue to productively meet and connect in a quality virtual environment that works for them.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to share with you examples of "real world" virtual events. Hopefully, they motivate you, help give you ideas, or even provide a bit of hope if needed.