It鈥檚 that time of year again for the . For those who might not be familiar, Melbourne International Design Week is a series of programs and events highlighting design excellence for the local and international community. So to kick it off, I thought I鈥檇 offer up some great tips to help you 鈥渦p your game鈥� for your next event. And if you鈥檙e looking for more inspiration, check out our free event called that we鈥檙e putting on in collaboration with the great folks over at TEDxMelbourne.
1. Pick the Perfect Place
The event space is the cornerstone of a great event. It sets an emotional tone for the event that will carry through the entire experience. It鈥檚 worth investing more time in selecting your venue than other facets of the planning. You must weigh multiple factors for your 鈥減erfect鈥� venue: location, accessibility, size, budget, etc. If there鈥檚 an area worth splurging on, it鈥檚 the location. It鈥檚 paramount to align your venue with your audience to make sure you鈥檝e got the right foundation for success.
2. Create an Emotional Experience
The most successful events find a way to create an emotional connection with their attendees. This isn鈥檛 by accident; this requires careful planning and consideration.
Think about what emotional connection that you want to create for your event. Consider how to best accomplish that goal. While your venue sets the tone, a consistent, well-integrated theme can be the key to building that connection. It will help focus your marketing efforts and the attendee experience.
3. Say It with Colour
If you鈥檝e never considered your colour scheme, now鈥檚 the time. In your quest to build that emotional connection, colour can be the all-important bridge. For instance, black always sets a formal, powerful tone. White lends a modern, clean feeling. Orange brings the creativity, while yellow is the energy. Consider what is right for your event and seed the colour throughout your event, from your event page to your logo to the table decorations.
4. Remember Floor to Ceiling is Like Head to Toe
When you鈥檙e putting yourself together for a night on the town, smart dressers always think through their outfit from head to toe. You should treat your event the same way. Details like lighting, carpeting, and your backdrops all need that attention to detail so that it all fits together.
5. Engage Your Audience
Keeping your audience engaged is the best way to get them invested in your event. This can take many forms; challenging them with new ideas, encouraging active participation, or connecting via social media can all be great ways to move them from passive viewers to invested attendees.
Of course, these tips are only the 鈥渢ip of the iceberg鈥� for upping your event game. If you are looking for more inspiration, come to design and get inspired!
