Recognizing 10 of the top event design ideas encountered this year, as selected by The Meeting Professional staff.
Event Design Gets Corporate Support
In early 2019, Caesars Entertainment Corporation launched a partnership with the Event Design Collective (EDC), with the goal of helping 1,000 meeting industry professionals—including Caesars’ own sales and convention staff—earn the Certified Event Designer (CED) designation. Four courses were held this year and there’s a waiting list for the 2020 programs! I went through the three-day course in February and was blown away (read all about it). You can learn more about the Caesars-EDC partnership in the January 2020 edition of The Meeting Professional.
Now You’re Playing with Power!
Several generations past the first wave of video game fanaticism, you’ve now got a blend of attendees that appreciate the classics as well as the “next big thing.” Although "barcades" (arcades that serve alcohol) aren’t a new trend for receptions/team-building activities, they are constantly evolving. For instance, Portland’s Ground Kontrol focuses on retro gaming fun in a classic dive-bar-style setting; Two Bit Circus in Los Angeles offers a mix that spans the history of video games, plus next-level virtual reality experiences.
Dedicated Wellness Areas, Activities and Scheduling
This approach has been integrated well into MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC), as highlighted this year in Toronto, with meditation lounges, mindful breaks, a flavored oxygen bar, puppy cuddling and more. Expect to see more of this at the 2020 WEC in Grapevine, Texas!
The Ultimate Unconference?
For the Haute Dokimazu Secret Family Reunion, registered participants showed up to JFK International Airport, ready for international travel, yet without knowing the destination(s). Games and networking while on the chartered plane, one-of-a-kind team building (such as truffle hunting in Italy) while on the ground. “Not one business card was exchanged. No one’s title or company was listed on their nametag,” says MPI’s senior director of community engagement, Kristi Casey Sanders, CMM, CMP—a participant in the November event. “There was no division between supplier or planner, CEO or coordinator, we were all peers and influencers.”
Swinging Networking
Functional swing sets in front of lighted signage/branding—that’s one of the smile-inducing interactive design ideas Janice Cardinale (MPI Toronto Chapter) encountered this year. Imagine a series of these lined up in such a way to enable a swinging take on speed-networking, or a carefully arranged cluster of four for unconventional brainstorming. One caveat: Ensure the seats are more comfortable than wooden slats.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
This year, Android users went gaga over the dark mode option Google continued rolling out across its mobile apps. But in real space, some groups appeared to take that concept to the extreme, testing out a pitch-black meeting room. Aside from the oddity factor, a key outcome of this experience is that it removes visual biases from the equation. Whether listening to a speaker in the dark or doing some visionless networking, this event design forces participants to focus on the sense of hearing…and, I guess, smell. New Zealand-based Fusion Meetings & Events even offers leadership team building in total darkness.
Ride the Rail
Although not new, the concept of renting a private, luxury train car to hold moving meetings with epic scenery is new to me. Services such as the Luxury Train Club offer private cars in dozens of countries, an inspiring alternative to bland conference rooms and the stressful experience of modern air travel.
Be Here Now
Quickly becoming a standard operating procedure at stand-up comedy shows, locking away mobile phones during certain events is proving to be a popular way to force attendees to focus on the content of live events, while adding a level of exclusivity—only those in attendance can experience the event; the original material shared won’t appear in photos or videos social media. Pouches, such as those by Yondr, are simple, quick and effective. As attention spans seem to be diminishing and small, bright screens irritate eyes and distract in dark rooms, more phone-free zones are a welcome addition.
On Your Toes
The always-innovating C2 Montréal once again delivered wow-worthy labs at the event this past May. One particular lab brought in professional dancers to educate participants on body mechanics. Using what they learned, participants then worked with and utilized the dancers to try and find solutions to challenging business scenarios.
The Colors, the Colors!
Pantone, the authority on cool color trends, named living coral the color of 2019. If, like me, you noticed that vibrant, comfortable shade popping up more this past year, then it’s time to look ahead for your design preparations. Janice Cardinale anticipates the use of neon colors at meetings and events to be a prominent trend in 2020, used in décor, furniture and signage as well as for lighting. These colors in an event’s design can help it make a bold, almost shocking, impact—very memorable.
