3 Things Event Planners Wish Attendees Would STOP Doing

For months now, I’ve been pounding the drum for conference event and trade show innovation. I’ve been extolling the virtues of delivering over-the-top conference event experiences. When you scored 9’s across the board on post-event surveys, I’ve been encouraging you to brainstorm for new ideas to earn that perfect 10.

You’re a real trouper, but every now and then, you need to vent. And sometimes, that vent is about a small segment of attendees who are not so reasonable. 

So today, I’m going to say what you can’t say. Thinking back on countless conversations with event planners, here’s a start on an attendee behavior wish list. Here are 3 things event planners wish attendees would stop doing:

1. Booking Outside the Block: You’re a non-profit, but your neck is on the line as you commit to hotel contracts that are sometimes five years out. You do your best to negotiate favorable rates, but sometimes market conditions shift.

   ATTENDEES:  If you found a better hotel room rate on the web, if it’s a matter of a few bucks savings, could you please remember there are other costs bundled into this room rate? Take meeting space, food & beverage, and A/V, for starters. And if you find a rate that’s a good bit below what has been offered, let the event planner know. That insight could be valuable leverage for hotel negotiation talks now and into the future.
    

2. Selling from the Trade Show Floor: You pay big bucks for that Convention Center space. You have a conga line of contractors helping to design an incredible trade show floor. Your exhibit sales team secures booth space commitments for every last bit of space.  Then, a few sneaky attendees decide to sidestep that booth investment and start doing the reverse trade show sell dance.

   ATTENDEES:  Hey, this is America and you’re free to have conversations with whomever you’d like. But when you start distributing dozens of brochures and start doing demo-tainment in the aisles, you’ve overstepped. You’re freeloading on the investments of others.  Talk, tweet, go have coffee with prospects, but know and respect the limits.
    

3. Griping to Fellow Attendees: Charlie was upset that his booth was smaller than the others. You gave Charlie several options to upgrade to a larger space, but he declined. Now, he’s at your dinner reception, griping to anyone who will listen.

   ATTENDEES:  This one’s a little more delicate. Again, this is America, and there’s no law against griping. That said, if you have a complaint, start with the source. Go find someone on the event planning team and share your concerns. Give them a chance to hear you out. If mistakes were made, give them an opportunity to offer remedies.

That’s just a start. I’ll just bet there are dozens more. If you have an attendee behavior wish list item to share, I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below and let’s start working on Part 2 of that wish list.

Source: www.cvent.com 

By: Donna Kastner serves as Director, Education & Engagement at Velvet Chainsaw Consulting, she’s helping event organizers to enhance the conference event experience, boosting learning AND networking outcomes in a big way.