Creating an Unparalleled Guest Experience [ General Session Series ]

There are so many ways to create a remarkable guest experience. But most planners struggle with measuring the concept of guest experience and engagement. So here are some quick ideas on how you can become more audience- focused at your general session.

Enter to a "Clap-In"

Some groups find this a tad embarrassing, while others eat it up. But any way you look at it, the clap- in is an excellent way to make your attendees feel like VIPs. Many venues are offering this service now, including the MGM hotels in Las Vegas.

In the clap-in, your audience members enter to a round of applause from venue (or event) staff. You can couple the experience with an emcee, who can announce individuals, company departments, offices, or any other segmentation. It’s a high energy intro that makes people feel welcomed and important.

Wearables to Personalize Every Offering

Some event planners are embracing wearables as a way to personalize the experience. When a guest is wearing this type of technology, their registration information and preferences are with them and available to scanners that can do anything from open their hotel room door, to ensuring their favorite beverage is ready exactly as they like it (even to the detail of shaken, not stirred, if you collect that information from them).

Red Carpet Entrance

This engagement idea is the quiet cousin of the clap-in. Just like in Hollywood, guests arrive and walk the red carpet into the main event. Unlike the clap-in, which can be a raucous cheering session, this technique is more refined with big smiles and waves. Just make sure you have plenty of photographers on hand and upload your pictures to social media (or the company intranet) with your event hashtag.

Another fun addition to this activity is including photo props or a photo screen at the end where arrivals can strike their best pose flanked by your event branding.

Stellar Entertainment

We are a society of short attention spans. Even serious trade conventions don’t expect everyone to work. And entertainment is no longer sleepy cover bands. You’d be shocked at the groups that are hitting the conference circuit. Entertainers like Rick Springfield, Belinda Carlisle from the Go-Go’s, and even Metallica (who appeared at SalesForce's Dreamforce) are rocking the conference scene.

Event planners are also using comedians, murder mysteries, escape rooms, magicians, and aerial acts to wow the audience. Advances in pyrotechnics and digital technology screens, paired with aerial rigging, have made boring conference entertainment a thing of the past. Instead, many conference attendees are expecting entertainment along the lines of Super Bowl halftime shows (minus any wardrobe malfunctions).

Provide an Escape

Your event is the ideal time to transport your attendees somewhere amazing. You’re likely already doing it physically by inviting them to an event at a venue that is not their home or office. It may be in another city, state or region of the country or world. But their minds may still be on things at the office or at home.

Use the technology available (and no, we are not suggesting any sort of mind-control gizmo) to help them escape. With projection mapping, your event venue could look like ancient Egypt or the beach. With virtual reality, they could even feel the sand between their toes. Give them an experience they won’t soon forget by creating an oasis of awesomeness.

End on an Inspiring and Energetic Note

The first few minutes of your general session and the last are so important. The first few set the tone and expectations. The last few set the pace for what will happen next. General sessions are usually the beginning of a conference. You want attendees to feel inspired as they leave because they’ll be taking whatever emotion they are feeling into the next event or session.

Disappointment or boredom won’t do anything positive for what comes next. You want a contagious energy to infect your attendees, so always end on an inspiring and energetic note. You can do this through:

• Lighting
• Music
• Video
• A dynamic speaker
• A well-timed announcement
• Or all of the above