Posted on July 30, 2024
Blog
Conferences
Event Management
Reflections from Cliftons CEO, Vanessa Green
As well as being Cliftons CEO, Vanessa Green is also the Chair of the peak industry body, Meetings & Events Australia. Vanessa recently attended the MEA Evolve Conference 2024 in the picturesque Hunter Valley, with this year's theme, "Lead with Impact. Empower to Grow. Connect for Success," resonating deeply with the challenges and opportunities we face in the events industry.
Vanessa shares some of her key takeaways, and the actionable insights that meetings and event planners can keep in mind for 2024 and beyond.
Key Takeaways
1. Leadership and Empowerment: Foundations of Success
Rowdy McLean's keynote, “Play a Bigger Game”, provided invaluable strategies for enhancing self-leadership. His emphasis on control, influence, confidence, and resilience can directly impact how we lead our marketing and sales teams. For instance, setting clear personal and professional goals and maintaining accountability can drive our teams to new heights.
Actionable Insight: Implement McLean’s resilience strategies by fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation within your team. Encourage self-reflection and accountability to boost overall performance.
2. Embracing Technology: Staying Ahead of the Curve
Izzy Hettiarachchi hosted a session on "Global Event Trends Unveiled" which highlighted the transformative power of AI and data analytics. These technologies can personalise attendee experiences and provide real-time feedback, crucial for tailoring marketing and sales strategies.
Actionable Insight: Leverage AI-driven tools to analyse customer data and predict market trends. This can help in creating personalised marketing campaigns, relevant event experiences and enhance customer engagement.
3. Collaboration and Innovation: Driving Forward Together
Norm Pounder of Be Challenged ran an interactive session, "Collaborate to Thrive," which demonstrated the power of cross-functional teamwork in fostering innovation. The entire room was forced to collaborate to create an incredible wall-sized artwork demonstrating that breaking down silos and encouraging diverse perspectives can lead to more creative solutions and a stronger, unified team (and result!).
Actionable Insight: Organise regular cross-departmental meetings to encourage collaboration and innovation. Use team-building activities to strengthen relationships and drive collective problem-solving.
4. The Impact of Global Events: Shaping Our Future
The panel discussion on "The Power of Global Events in Australia," moderated by Thomas Staunton, underscored the significant economic, social, and cultural impacts of major events. Understanding these impacts can help us position our organisations to better leverage large-scale events for revenue growth and community engagement.
Actionable Insight: Develop strategic partnerships with a range of event organisers and associations to connect with industry, increase your visibility of key trends and market drivers and foster networking opportunities. Remember community involvement can lead to better social outcomes and enhance brand reputation and customer loyalty.
Upcoming Trends to Watch
As well as the MEA conference, Vanessa’s travels this year to other conferences have highlighted some other key event sector trends to stay across. This includes:
Virtual and Hybrid Event Models: While in-person events are here to stay, virtual and hybrid continue to grow in importance, offering greater accessibility and inclusivity. Incorporate these models into your event strategies to reach a broader audience.
Sustainable Practices: Embrace sustainability by using recyclable locally sourced materials, digital tickets and virtual swag bags to reduce environmental impact.
AI and Data Analytics: Utilise these technologies to enhance marketing strategies, improve customer insights, and drive more targeted campaigns.
We’re here to help you stay ahead
At Cliftons, our team of event professionals are dedicated to supporting your success by offering comprehensive event solutions that align with these insights and trends. Here’s how we can assist:
In-House AV and Tech Teams: Our expert AV and tech teams are equipped to manage hybrid and virtual events seamlessly. From state-of-the-art equipment to technical support, we ensure your events run smoothly and engage both in-person and remote attendees.
Sustainability and ESG Initiatives: We prioritise sustainability in our operations. By using local providers and sustainably sourced menu items, we support the environment and local communities. In Australia, our in-house chefs incorporate indigenous ingredients into our menus, providing a unique culinary experience. We also eliminate single-use plastics and are committed to caring for the environment and each other.
Team Building and Event Enhancements: Make your events truly special with our fabulous team-building activities, engaging speakers, MCs, and moderators. Our theming options, cocktail parties, and delicious dining experiences are designed to leave a lasting impression on your attendees.
Versatile Event Spaces: Whether it's hosting strategic planning sessions, sales training workshops, or client appreciation events, our state-of-the-art venues provide the perfect setting. We offer flexible spaces that can be customized to meet your specific needs, ensuring a professional and memorable experience.
Our team also prioritise attending industry conferences, participating in webinars and connecting with peers to stay ahead of the latest and emerging trends. We also regularly host our own events to help you stay informed, with engaging industry speakers (and the chance to experience our venues and our approach to hospitality!) You can register here to receive invitations to our upcoming events.
About Cliftons
Event Solutions
If you’re ready to start bringing your event plans to life, talk to our
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Start with a no-obligation chat about what you want to achieve, and our team can guide you through the services we offer.
In the spirit of reconciliation Cliftons Event Solutions acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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