power-to-the-meetings-methodology

“Power to the meetings” is a concept that advocates quality events and greater responsibility towards participants, the environment and ourselves. It is not merely a way of organising events, but a way of life.

The concept focuses on having an agile approach to event participants. Together with clients, we strive to find an answer to the question WHY? By doing so, we effectively tailor events to the needs and wishes of participants and clients.

Since the very beginning, we have been using a combination of various methodologies. Crucial among them is design thinking, scrum, as well as the classic project management. By implementing such techniques in practice, we have achieved flexibility, and strongly increased the creative side of our events.

POWER TO THE MEETINGS MINDSET

Principles we base our methodology on:

Segment: Focus on participants
We can count attendance, whereas closeness can only be felt

1. Participant satisfaction
We respect and make participants happy

2. Extraordinary experience
We make wishes come true

3. Excellence

We strive for measurable quality


Segment: Constant change
Changes are recurring

4. Responding to changes
Events are constantly adapted and improved

5. Rapid testing
We test new ideas and consequently reduce risk

6. Quick learning
We learn from mistakes


Segment: Team action
Anything is possible with the right team

7. Teamwork
We create with motivated teams, as work is based on trust

8. Simplicity
Reducing unnecessary work

9. Fast project cycles
Simultaneously coordinating several activities


Segment: Social responsibility

10. Environment responsibility
Sustainable development

11. Transparency
We build relations on transparency

12. Dialogue
Encouraging the path from communication to dialogue

Our methodology offers a framework, inside of which we can implement several processes and techniques. The primary composition consists of 10 segments that have proven effective even in the transitional phase to digital events (online, hybrid and virtual). The segments are encapsulated below.

1. CONTENT

The secret and essence of events remain good stories. The best are simple, clear and sincere, and because they speak to the heart and soul, their basic story must grab the participants at first glance. Such stories are those that separate meetings logistics experts from meeting architects. The first are adherents of the beaten tracks, while the others are looking to create something new, passionate and exciting.

2. PARTICIPANT JOURNEY

In this phase, we come up with the concept for the participants’ experience. Step by step, we guide participants through all the experiences that are written down in the form of a script. In it, we also include the user experience in the field of communication. Finally, we test the scenario on a group of test participants.

3. BRANDING

Branding is the tool for the construction of visibility of the event by using the name, image and symbols as a kind of fingerprint of the desired identity. It is a part of existence as it is understood or decoded by the participants, and it represents an important part of the event development. The result of a carefully planned branding is the reputation as a clear measurement for brand and image of the event.

4. RHYTHM

With rhythm, we gather the different parts of the event and place them into a meaningful chronology. Instead of tones, we use programme segments with greater and lesser attention of participants. People react instinctively to rhythm, so thinking about the rhythm of the event, is one of the elementary duties of the organiser.

5. CREATIVE SET UP

You need to support an appropriate environment to start the debate among participants. Speakers are mostly the motivators and provocateurs. Different venue setups like “open space”, “open fishbowl” or “word café” will all instantly improve the communication and set it on a higher level, compared to the traditional classroom set up. In collaboration with the architects, we visualize our experiences and prepare them for implementation.

Conventa_Crossover_2020
Photo Credit: Marko Delbello Ocepek

6. SPEAKER MANAGEMENT

As organisers, we have to make sure the speakers are informed and prepared. At the forefront is not only the transfer of knowledge and experiences but also the importance of speakers. This includes their interaction with participants. Depending on what we want to achieve, we advise the usage of different programme formats (Pecha Kucha, TEDx, elevator pitch,…). Having an appropriate moderator that will connect the programme segments, is equally crucial for the success of the event.

7. CO-CREATION

We learn the most when we do it ourselves. In our opinion, a precondition for the active involvement of the participants is to use the method of experiential learning. Before that, we have to explore and get to know the participants’ needs and wishes. This stage of the process requires careful planning, starting from the content that through different methods (workshops, hand zones) and technical devices, we bring closer to the participants (Sli.do).

8. AUTHENTICITY

‘Genuine’ is all that is authentic. We all love to hear and create unique experiences that are nothing but authentic and nicely spiced up nostalgic stories. Authentic cuisine, music, special historical sites and cultural history are at the core of every successful event, from incentives to big congresses. Participants like to return to nature, get to know the authentic way of life, feel real feelings, smell original smells and experience special venues.

9. GREEN THINKING

Our agency is the author of recommendations for organising green meetings, which are used as standard-bearers by the Slovenian Convention Bureau. We urge clients to plan, execute and evaluate sustainable measures together. Sustainable measures are implemented in the venue decision, transport of participants, the culinary offer for participants, communication, materials and the technical execution of the event.

10. ROI

Participation in an event is under the microscope, marketing budgets are shrinking, and directors require maximum ROI. That which cannot be measured, cannot be managed. So how do we do it? We carry out targeted surveys among stakeholders to regularly check the satisfaction of key stakeholders. Having participants in mind, it all starts with clear goals and expectations. If there are no goals, it is easy to say everything went well. Setting goals is a must, as only this way can you truly measure what has been achieved. An important part of ensuring high profitability is also generating a feeling of quality.

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The secret ingredient for energy: ROCK'N'ROLL

Successful event organisers know how important it is to organise an event with love and positive energy. You need to know how to create the flow of energy between the organisers and participants, the speakers and the audience, the sponsors and the crowd. The event venue has to have a flow as well, like rock festivals or large airports. Above all, to create good energy we have to check the three basic event elements. First is the element of surprise. Some also call it a ‘first impression’. The second element is communication, that is before, during and after the event, transmitting the energy all the way up to the heights of modern hybrid communication of social media. Thirdly, and lastly, is the element of an effective dramaturgy, which includes the ambience of the venue, design of the stage, light and, for the true congress rockers, also great rock riffs, or, in other words: each event must have its own colour and sound.

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The book by Gorazd Čad, set to be published in 2021, will explain the concept in detail and will be complemented by numerous practical recommendations and best practice examples. POWER TO THE MEETINGS!

WHO TO CONTACT

TOLERANCA MARKETING d.o.o.
Stihova 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana
T: + 386 (0)1 430 51 03
F: + 386 (0)1 430 51 04
M: +386 (0)40 530 112
https://www.toleranca.eu/

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