Picture credit: auro
We need to get out more. The credit crunch has affected attendance at industry events and this will have a longer term effect, because getting out of the office is an important part of our personal, professional and organizational development.
My own observation of events in the UK (and reports from the U.S.) show that great speakers, great content, great venues and great networking opportunities are still available.
But the budgets are not. And even where the money is available, there is definite pressure against potential delegates taking the time out from the day job, especially for multi-day events.
Likewise potential sponsors are likely to be even cannier than usual about putting their paws into their pocketbooks. People are turning the change in their pockets over twice before spending.
opportunity to grow out of the recession
Which is understandable. But a pity because the dwindling numbers of event delegates will reduce genuine opportunities for us to grow our way out of the recession.
Your mileage may vary, of course. But I feel that the challenge facing every event organizer for the rest of this year will not just be about whether people will pay to attend a great [even the best] event but more about delegates not sparing the time (or being allowed to spare the time) to attend. The budget argument is difficult, of course. But the time argument has to be soluble.
tips for event organizers:
- make the events shorter – half day or single day
- wherever possible reduce prices – or even free
- cut the frills
- make sure the content is even better than usual
tips for event delegates:
- the future will be different – new thinking and new methods
- events are a great learning opportunity – new ideas, people
- total withdrawal to the comfort of the corporate cocoon is a cop-out
- reduced/ no budget is just a great driver for looking harder
I believe that in difficult times it is even more important for us to get out more and find the information and tools that will help us to build a better future.
