Overheard at the Podcast Lounge
6 Things I Learned at the NW Events Show
By Tina Nole, Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Larj Media
The NW Events show was a spectacular event featuring the Northwest leading experts in the industry. We hosted a Podcast Lounge in the exhibition hall and had the pleasure of capturing some interviews with key note speakers and attendees. Here are a few thing I learned, the rest can be heard on the upcoming podcast featuring deeper dives into what's happening in the world of events in the Northwest.
"We're entering the Golden Age of events" says Stuart Butler, President of the NW Event Show. As we know, the shut down changed events but what we learned during that time is serving us now in a bold new way. We're not looking back to "the way it was" we're moving forward, creatively and combining virtual events and smaller experiences with more assessable spaces in order to reach larger more diverse audiences.
"By 2045 the US population is going to be more than 50% people of color, and that's not even considering different sexual identities. So if you want to continue to prosper in your business, then you might want to listen in and be more inclusive." says Asian Inclusvity Consultant Jolene Jang. The events industry needs to double its efforts to include everyone. Between smaller breakout rooms for those who prefer more intimate experiences to diversifying keynotes and intentionally welcoming first timers, the industry has a ways to go but there is indeed forward motion.
“We are just trying to make sure there's an abundance of work here for people, well-paid work so that people can thrive in this very expensive region." says Kate Becker Economy Director at Office of King County Executive Dow Constantine. King County is putting a major investment into arts workers and the creative industry. Kate is a champion of arts and music, make sure to check out the newly opened Harbour Island Film Studio - the first of its kind since Northern Exposure shut down in 1995!
"It's an opportunity to fall down. We need as people, as a culture to learn how to fall. And get up and be humble and fail and try stuff,” says Kevin Joyce Co-Founder of Enjoy Productions. "Playfulness was lost during the pandemic and the need to interact and meet new folks is greater than ever. Events can set the stage for that if we have the right attitudes". Our booth was constantly crowded because Enjoy Production was our neighbor - I saw first hand how putting fun at the fore front of an event makes every one want to join in. It's time to play!
Events are a wonderful opportunity to build partnerships - "We are helping the Seattle Design Center plan their 50th gala, 50th anniversary gala. And we're walking around this wonderful event to see who might be a good partner for us." - Michi Suzuki & Lisa Willis, Founders of the PR Collective.
"Engaging your audience is a year long endeavor" I say. Take your event beyond its walls and website and offer them something outside of the days event. By creating an on-site Podcast Lounge you can take advantage of your audience while they are engaged and extend the reach of your event for the coming year. Create deeper content about your event on-site, capture it there and edit it for a post event podcast series that shows folks their return on investment of their time and money. This will keep your brand and business top of mind while exciting your audience for your next event .
Contact Larj Media and let us help you take your event to the next level.