Creating WOW Now

First and foremost, the quality of your customers experience is what will decide their overall experience of your event. Did you have a timely schedule? Were there times the attendees could relax and catch up with colleagues? Were the break out sessions directed to the majority requirements and current with the times?

It’s all about your clients feeling appreciated and acknowledged even if only the small things like having ample breaks and having water available. The larger challenges such as sessions not starting on time or not having a clear schedule are among the fiascos that can be completely avoided when the proper amount of planning and execution takes place.

You must remember, even if you are an employee the event will always have competition for someone to stand in if the previous event was not run well, so make sure you stand out in the crowd. Create a reaction that will have your audience walking away appreciating your efforts.

One way of doing so is to always have personal connections with your attendees. Ask for their opinions and suggestions while they are at the event. Send feedback forms the first week after the event to make sure they have the details fresh in their minds.

Take every opportunity you have to recognize each client’s uniqueness such as specific dietary requirements. Make them feel comfortable and be sure to have more than enough staff available to assist them throughout the event.

And of course, be gracious to all who have taken the time to help you make your event the best ever.

Performing Under Pressure

The spotlight is on you and you have no one to back you up and it seems like everything is falling apart. Wouldn’t it be great if this were the exception rather than the rule? Well this is well your resilience pays off. It’s time to call in the cavalry and regroup.

The first thing to do is identify the largest challenge and determine who and what can help you remedy the difficulty. It might be the facility manager, previous employees, an assistant working for someone else in your company or even your boss. Leave no favor left behind. You owe it to your attendees to have the best event you can manage.

Next, be sure that you stay away from negative reactions, stress, anger or blame. Too often when our plans go astray it is a knee jerk reaction to look towards others rather than bearing the responsibility. If your actions don’t indicate solutions, don’t bother. Take a good look at how your resourcefulness can pull the event together.

You will be able to think more clearly when you stay objective and you will save yourself a great deal of angst but staying focused on solutions.