Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2024 takes a deep dive into the inner workings of exhibitions and events with six unique learning tracks from industry leaders such as Tim Luepke, CMM, CMP, CTS, DES, Director of MPI Academy at Meeting Professionals International. Tim will present the session, The Engagement Equation.
As professionals upskill to greet the new age of exhibitions and events, it is more important than ever to re-evaluate and update the defined value proposition for bringing people together. What is the purpose of an exhibition/event, if not to meet with subject matter experts, peers, community members and/or customers?
And if that is the primary purpose of an event, shouldn’t it be the lens through which we design experiences that matter for our participants, stakeholders, clients and organizations?
As we seek to connect people in meaningful ways, what techniques can be applied to the elements of our events to ensure those connections are purposefully designed and executed?
Tim will explore these questions as well as the science of breaking the “hallway conversation” out of its corridor and into the rest of our spaces. This discussion will equip participants with the power to create meaningful engagement for all attendees and stakeholders at their exhibitions and events.
You will articulate the new value proposition for in-person exhibitions and events. What is the newest twist to creating lasting impact and value for attendees beyond the duration of the event itself?
It starts with us as humans at any event and what kind of invitation to others. It starts with our self- awareness and understanding of our intention and impact on others. Those conversations or moments will be the catalyst to making you and your event memorable. I will dive into event design and the importance of having a “north” star for your event, but also considering how we create environments for our attendees to spark life into others. This will create a memorable event that will turn your attendees into engaged and loyal customers.
You will also teach new formats that foster engagement among attendees. How can organizers effectively measure and adapt these new formats to ensure they meet diverse attendee preferences and learning styles?
I will focus on exploring 19 engagement elements that apply to all brands, industries and organizations. Careful selection and blending of the elements increase engagement. I am only going to explore these elements through the lens of creating engagement among attendees, as stated in the learning objectives BUT… these can and should apply to all elements of the event design process. This awareness will provide some building blocks and tools to help someone as they work through any event design process.
In addition, you will offer strategies for organizers to facilitate networking that is meaningful for all of their attendees. Why is it important to offer a variety of networking opportunities?
I will touch on trends in our events that will illuminate the value of how we design, activate, and engage our attendees and customers. These insights will help you understand the pulse of our industry and how best to have a roadmap with some actionable takeaways.
What fuels your passion for this subject, and why is this information so relevant in today’s business environment?
As the Director of Education for MPI, my heart and passion are to educate our industry with relevant and timely topics. With ghosting becoming more common in our industry, it is more important to engage your attendees all the more with personalization and authenticity. We are in the people industry and this topic will not only make you a better professional, but also help you as an individual to consider how to be consider the best version of yourself in all aspects of your life.
