Meetings and events are often essential for professional development, networking, and career growth. Attendees have the opportunity to gain new insights, meet and connect with peers, and learn directly from industry leaders. However, simply coordinating a corporate meeting, event, or conference isn’t enough; creating a positive experience for attendees is just as important. When attendees feel valued and see the effort put into planning an event they’ll enjoy, they may be more interested in joining and bringing meaningful takeaways back to their organizations. It’s up to you to craft an event that people are excited to attend and make it as easy and enjoyable as possible to get there.
Exclusive Offers.
Sign up to receive personalized promotions and packages for your next vacation from trusted travel experts.
What Elevates the Attendee Experience?
A well-planned, appealing corporate event that attendees are excited to participate in needs to strike the right balance of education or development, networking, and entertainment. Attendees should feel:
- Surprised and delighted during the experience
- Energized and engaged, rather than bored or detached
- Able to connect with other attendees, either through structured networking sessions or informal gatherings
- Excited to participate in sessions that are relevant to their industry, role, interests, or goals
- Motivated to retain valuable information
- Eager to apply insights in their daily roles
Coordinate Seamless, Stress-Free Travel Arrangements
The event experience begins before attendees even arrive. Their attitudes and energy are impacted in part by how easy it is to get to your event’s location. Thoughtful travel planning helps set a more positive tone and ideally translates to attendees feeling ready to participate when they arrive. Consider offering attendees VIP travel and transportation experiences like lounge access, expedited security, and private transfers. If your organization doesn’t already, seek out partnerships with airlines and hotels to provide exclusive perks like room upgrades, early check-in, or bonus loyalty points. Anything your event can do to minimize common travel stressors such as long lines, crowded gates, and transport hassles will be appreciated.
Host In a Desirable Destination
Where an event is located plays a major role in drawing attendance and shaping the overall guest experience. Getting to go somewhere exciting with a lot of cool things to do and see, especially during downtime, is a positive for attendees. Beyond excellent venues, popular destinations often have more cultural experiences, entertainment options, and local points of interest. New York City, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, and Dallas are projected to be the top five meeting and event destinations for 2025. These cities are renowned for their accessibility, top-tier hospitality, and diverse attractions that cater to both business and leisure travelers.
Pick a Memorable Venue
The venue can make or break an event experience. Hotel conference rooms and banquet halls are commonly used for corporate events and meetings. While they are very functional, they’re not the most exciting spaces. Choosing a unique venue with a cool atmosphere sets your event apart. Art galleries, museums, social lounges, and retreat centers are just a few ideas that create a more immersive experience. No matter what venue you book, make sure it is flexible enough to accommodate the networking, workshops, entertainment, and panels you plan to incorporate into your event.
Pack the Event With Plenty to Do
No matter what your event is centered around, the topics discussed must be compelling. Inviting recognizable, relevant speakers and creating panels or sessions with practical insights should be the main focus. Consider working with vendors that support interactive workshops, product demos, or behind-the-scenes tours.
Even though the event is about business, it shouldn’t be 100% of the focus. A well-rounded event balances professional growth with engaging activities that encourage attendees to have fun and form new connections. Professionals are seeking out human connections and opportunities to meet industry leaders and find mentors. Networking naturally intersects with corporate events. Whether structured or organic, leave room for attendees to mingle. If your budget allows, search for entertainment options like live music, regional food tastings, local art exhibits, or pop-up performances that add to networking sessions.
Book Local Experiences Outside Event Hours
Attendees are sure to appreciate getting the chance to explore a new city outside of event hours. Allowing downtime with suggested activities or providing a curated itinerary mean participants can turn a work event into more of a trip, improving their overall impression of the experience. Look into arranging excursions in the host city that tie into the event’s theme or purpose. Private city tours, happy hour at a local hotspot, or team-building activities are a great touch. Planners can also feature local gifts in swag bags.
