Event industry trends & event planning strategies for 2024: a conversation with Daniel Meyer, of Access Intelligence

Kevin Lee interviews Daniel Meyer, VP & Corporate Controller at Access Intelligence, a Hauppauge, NY-based information and marketing company that provides business intelligence and integrated marketing solutions. Kevin and Daniel discuss how the event industry is evolving in the post-pandemic era and talk about best practices for event planners for 2024 and beyond. Discussed topics include: - How brands are adapting adapted to the "new normal" of events in the post-pandemic era. - The pandemic's impact on event planning, specifically the fact that lead times for commitments have decreased significantly (from 30-45 days to less than a month) - The importance of having backup plans and flexibility in event programming. - Challenges faced by event programmers with respect to selecting venues and accurately forecasting attendee numbers and event requirements. - The importance of event programmers understanding the “fine print” of event cancellation insurance policies. - Why anchors and sponsors are crucial for event success, given that they provide name recognition and help control the narrative. - How the value proposition of events depends on the audience's goals, which may include learning, networking, or transacting business. - The benefit of independent events (vs. events organized by a single vendor), where attendees can see “the whole story” and hold industry leaders accountable. - Why the structure and format of a given event should be tailored to the specific industry and the type of attendee, with a focus on experiential aspects and networking opportunities. - The differences between an exhibit hall with elaborate booths and a more informal exchange area, and the importance of managing traffic and building an agenda that allows attendees to get a variety of information. - The importance of understanding the venue's footprint and how it impacts the event's agenda and sponsor/exhibitor setup. - The challenge of managing the flow of traffic and ensuring that all parts of the event work in concert with one another, while also maximizing the value of attendees' time spent on site. - The challenges of choosing a venue for events, particularly in cities like New York where there are limited options and high demand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices