Who Is Your Conference Really Attracting? February 11, 2013 by Dave Lutz Attracting first-class, first-rate, quality attendees is one of the most complex and important keys to your conference’s business model. Too many conferences attempt to be all things to all people and end up with a watered-down offering. You need a process to help you identify your various attendee segments and who your target market is. … [Read more…] Filed Under: Attendance Marketing, Business Model Tagged With: , attracting attendees, conference best practices, conferences, decision makers, economic buyers, market segmentation, target market
Sarah Michel Joins The Velvet Chainsaw Team February 7, 2013 by Dave Lutz I’m excited to announce that Sarah Michel, CSP will be joining the Velvet Chainsaw team as of February 18, 2013 as Vice President, Professional Connexity! That means we’re expanding and setting up shop in sunny Colorado. For the past 16 years, Sarah has owned her own speaking and consulting business, Perfecting Connecting. She’s been laser … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings Tagged With: , connexity, networking, Sarah Michel
Five Conference Technology Mindsets December 18, 2012 by Dave Lutz Meeting professional face a tall technology order today. More conferences are placing a high priority on using technology that not only improves the attendee experience, extends its reach, and streamlines processes, but fits into their organizations’ overall digital strategy. It’s a tall order for meeting professionals. Today, planners are expected to have a grasp on … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Technology
Are You Attracting Your Best Attendees Or Are You Repelling Them? November 26, 2012 by Dave Lutz Why are conference organizers doing so many things that repel their best customers? Instead of bombarding paying attendees with marketing messages, how about just making good on your promise to deliver education and networking opportunities? Missed Opportunities To Grow Attendee Loyalty This summer, I attended three large conferences – one in our industry and two … [Read more…] Filed Under: Attendance Marketing, Business Model Tagged With: , association, association best practices, attendee loyalty, conference marketing, sponsorship
Is Your Conference Marketing So Last Year? October 11, 2012 by Dave Lutz Every year you have to figure out how to fill the chairs at your annual event. It’s Déjà vu all over again. The minute the conference is finished, you have to start again, figuring out new ways to get your audience to return the following year. It’s a never-ending cycle where you’re in constant search … [Read more…] Filed Under: Attendance Marketing Tagged With: , conference best practices, conference marketing, conferences, event marketing, marketing
CEUs Are The Fool’s Gold Of Conference Marketing September 17, 2012 by Dave Lutz Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are nothing more than fool’s gold. Yes, that’s right. It’s just like Pyrite with a metallic yellow hue luster that attracts us. We think it’s gold…but it’s not! CEUs or continuing education credits are often mistaken for the primary reason why attendees go to conferences. While important, they are no longer … [Read more…] Filed Under: Attendance Marketing, Business Model, Conference Education Tagged With: , conference marketing, conferences, event marketing, marketing
Juice Up Your Conference App August 27, 2012 by Dave Lutz It’s time to juice up your attendees’ conference experience with a mobile app. The best built-for-purpose conference apps provide a seamless and user-friendly experience that can be customized by the attendee. Conference Mobile Apps Here To Stay Built-for-purpose conference apps have hit the fast-follower stage. In fact, most major conferences are in their second or … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Technology, Experience Design Tagged With: , conferences, event mobile apps, event technology, mobile, social technology for events, tradeshow technology, Web 2.0
Getting Your Sponsors To Trigger Their Sponsorships June 21, 2012 by Dave Lutz A trend we’re seeing is that exhibitors are requiring less square footage and shifting dollars to other sponsorship opportunities. Conference organizers need to think about how to convert exhibitor’s marketing dollars into sponsorship opportunities that benefit attendees. The Shift From Exhibiting To Sponsorships This shift requires a more strategic and consultative sales approach. Many conference … [Read more…] Filed Under: Sponsorship & Exhibits Tagged With: , conference best practices, conferences, content marketing, exhibitors, meeting planning best practices, meeting professionals, sponsor activation, sponsor leverage, sponsorship
Creating Planned Serendipity For Your Conference Success May 15, 2012 by Dave Lutz Networking: there’s more to it than business professionals speed handshaking while exchanging business cards. It’s an opportunity to connect and link with others as you share information, services and ideas with each other. Attendee Networking Expectations Increase There is no doubt about it. Conference attendee networking expectations are on the rise! Your conference is often … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , accelerating serendipity, conference best practices, conferences, meeting planning best practices, networking, planned serendipity
Jeff Hurt Promoted To Executive VP April 13, 2012 by Dave Lutz I’m excited to announce that Jeff Hurt has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Education & Engagement at Velvet Chainsaw Consulting! Jeff has been an indispensable contributor to the VCC team over the past 27 months. His fresh ideas on the future of conferences and learning have been instrumental in helping our consulting clients on … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings
