MEET THE ROCKSTARS OF CONVENTA CROSSOVER 2021
Every year, Conventa Crossover invites world-renowned meeting planners, marketers, entrepreneurs, and creatives to share their knowledge in Ljubljana, Slovenia. This year won’t be any different – inspiring individuals who have helped co-create and transform the meetings industry will come together from 26 to 27 August 2021. At the same time, we will be opening the stage to a new generation of young and talented meeting planners and marketers. You will learn from keynote speakers who have successfully transformed their events and are recognized as the pioneers of our new reality.
Joining the 6th Conventa Crossover conference is Henrik von Arnold, Senior Consultant at ENITED Business Events. Before you meet him at Conventa Crossover 2021, we wanted to hear his thoughts on the future of the meetings industry and see what surprises he has in store for us.
Interview with Henrik von Arnold
Q: What do you think about the theme of this year’s Crossover – The Meetings Industry AC/BC (After Corona/Before Corona)?
We do not have the answers yet, but we might be able to point out some trends.
Q: What is your forecast for the meetings industry in the coming year (2022) and beyond?
For 2022 I think it will slowly grow, focused on regional meetings. The suppliers must adapt to the “new” (hybrid) formats. As people are longing to meet again and exchange knowledge and experiences and re-connect socially.
I BELIEVE 2023 WILL BE THE RECOVERY YEAR.
Q: How do you envision agility and innovation in overcoming the corona crisis? Can you share some examples of best practices?
I think many suppliers have learned a lot about handling crises ( the ones who haven’t are already gone or will be out-competed very soon). The same goes for the right-owners of the events. Many of them have already adjusted their business events formats to the new reality, and I believe we all need to be ready to respond fast to new crises or behaviors in the near future. Examples: one selected main destination for an event, combined with regional or maybe country hubs.
Q: How would you comment on the following statement? “Coronacrisis has shown the need to organise events that are responsible to the environment, the participants and the community as a whole”
I believe we are on the way to be more aware of the needs of participants and the community, but I think we just have seen the beginning of changes when it comes to environmental considerations.
Q: What will you surprise us with at this year’s event?
If I told you it would not be a surprise 
About Henrik
Henrik has been in the business events industry since 1997. His main functions have been Team leader of Gothenburg Convention Bureau and later on Stockholm Convention Bureau. In 2014, he took on the role of Senior consultant within the consultancy company ENITED Business Events. Before his time within the business events industry, he has worked at the Chamber of Commerce and also been a project manager for several main city events within the sectors of culture, sports, politics and business.
