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Tips & Trends

<p>Traditional icebreakers can feel forced or superficial. But not all icebreakers are created equal. Adrian Segar, author of “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/CONFERENCES-THAT-WORK-Creating-Events/dp/1601459920">Conferences That Work: Creating Events That People Love</a>,” suggests that instead of just breaking the ice (a term that has a negative connotation when you really think about it), planners should aim to uncover useful connections and insights from the start.</p>
<p>“The concept of icebreakers goes back to when meetings were full of people who didn’t know each other,” Segar explains. “People still struggle with how to connect in a useful fashion. That’s why we’ve invented ways to give people an excuse to talk.” Rather than relying on generic conversation starters, Segar believes that planners should design icebreakers that help attendees discover what they have in common, whether it’s geography, industry experience, or shared interests.</p>

<h2><strong>The Magic of Movement-Based Icebreakers</strong></h2>
<p>Too often, icebreakers feel like an obligatory exercise rather than a valuable part of an event. To make them more effective, Segar emphasizes the importance of activities that get people moving. Here are three active icebreakers you can try to engage attendees using this technique:</p>
<h3>1. Body Voting</h3>
<p>One of Segar’s go-to icebreakers is body voting, which gets people out of their chairs and into small groups that have an immediate common ground—where they’re from. “Say we’re hosting an event in Florida. I project a map on the screen and ask attendees to move to the part of the room that represents where they live or work. If they’re from Orlando, they stand near me. If they’re from the Northeast, they’ll be north of me. In just minutes, they find themselves standing near colleagues from their own region who they may never have met otherwise.”</p>
<p>This activity provides instant value. Not only does it ease the tension of being in a room full of strangers, but it also helps attendees immediately identify potential collaborators or mentors. Body voting can be adapted for different themes, such as company roles, years of industry experience, or interest in specific topics.</p>
<h3>2. The Human Spectrogram</h3>
<p>For events focused on industry trends or challenges, for instance, Segar suggests having people position themselves in the room based on their viewpoint. “If the topic is pharmacy benefit managers, I might ask attendees who think PBMs are great to stand on one side, while those who see them as a challenge go to the other. Those in the middle arrange themselves accordingly. This quickly reveals where people stand on key issues and sets the stage for meaningful dialogue.”</p>
<h3>3. The Experience Line</h3>
<p>The experience line helps participants express their expertise physically. “If attendees have different levels of experience with a topic, they can arrange themselves in a line from ‘newcomer’ to ‘expert,’” Segar says. “This allows people to visually see where they fit within the group and naturally sparks conversation.” It also lets planners update their breakout sessions if necessary.</p>

<h2><strong>Creating an Adaptive Event Experience</strong></h2>
<p>While structured icebreakers are helpful, Segar stresses the importance of flexibility. “A good facilitator doesn’t just follow a script, they adjust based on what the attendees actually want to learn,” he says. One way to do this is through a simple three-question exercise:</p>
<ul>
  <li>What is your name and affiliation?</li>
  <li>If this event were to be amazing for you, what would you gain from it?</li>
  <li>What expertise or experience do you have that others might find useful?</li>
</ul>
<p>This approach helps uncover hidden knowledge and expectations in the room and allows organizers to tailor discussions based on attendee interests. “Sometimes, someone will mention that they’ve been working on something really innovative for the last year, and that turns into an impromptu session later in the event,” Segar explains. “It makes the program feel like it’s been optimized for the people in the room.”</p>

<h2><strong>The Ultimate Bonding Experience</strong></h2>
<p>Because these icebreakers aren’t your standard fare, some attendees might initially balk at them. Rather than over-explaining why these techniques work, Segar suggests simply letting people experience them. “What I’ve learned is that if people ask for a rationale for why you’re doing something, it’s easier to have them do it and discover its value than to explain why it works. And if people don’t like doing this activity, well then, it gives them something to bond over.”</p>

Global

Here’s How Planners Can Create More Meaningful Interactions

Icebreakers for Meetings, Reimagined

<p>You want your meetings to touch your attendees’ lives. One way to do that? Have them touch the world around them.</p>
<p>Adding tactile activities to your meetings can help make the event indelible in your attendees’ minds. The sense of touch is one of the first sensory systems that evolved in humans, so it’s hardwired to our memory banks in a way that other activities—say, reading a bunch of materials—aren’t.</p>
<p>It’s also just plain fun to touch things. (Are attendees at promotional events ever more engaged than when they have a chance to hold a new, long-awaited product in their hands?) Read on for actionable ways to bring a touch of the tactile to your events.</p>
<p><em>For ways to bring the other senses into your events, visit the other articles in this series: </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/428/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meetings-more-visual"><em>sight</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/429/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meeting-super-sonic"><em>sound</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/511/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-event-more-tasteful"><em>taste</em></a><em>, and </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/512/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-incorporate-scent-into-your-events"><em>smell</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<h3><strong>Make your swag touch-friendly</strong></h3>
<p>By its nature, swag bags are tactile—you’re asking attendees to carry around something physical when they pick up a gift bag. Make that more useful to attendees by including “please touch” gifts, such as a notebook with a fuzzy or textured cover or a fidget toy. You can take it a step further by including a small card explaining why you chose those items: Taking notes by hand helps with memory retention because of its physical nature, and <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fidget-toys-arent-just-hype/">fidget toys can help people harness attention</a>.</p>
<h3><strong>Enable haptics</strong></h3>
<p>Know that feeling when your phone buzzes in your pocket? Use that sensation in your favor to guide attendees within your venue. If your audience is tech-savvy, or demographically likely to have embraced the Apple Watch, they may be willing to download apps or enable features that issue haptic reminders when certain events happen—say, when they approach a meeting spot with a particularly cool offering.</p>

<h3><strong>Create an immersive experience—literally</strong></h3>
<p>The draw of “immersive experiences” is that they create a wholly different environment for attendees. But you can take it literally and physically immerse your attendees in a sensation shift. Start by playing with temperature, as found at an August promotional event that deployed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/production-strategy/experiential-marketing-activations-sponsorships/article/22418964/three-activations-at-btc-2022">snow machines and an ice bar</a>. Too much hassle? Even “immersing” your guests’ hands in a temperature shift can evoke the same shift in sensation—one liquor brand had attendees <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/catering-design/beverages/article/22366676/how-3-spirits-companies-tickled-taste-buds">reach through vapor to grab an ice-cold drink</a>. Not enough<em> </em>for ambitious planners? Ball pits don’t have to be just for kids.</p>

<h3><strong>Give attendees a tactile experience</strong></h3>
<p>Most of the sensory tips here are about your attendees touching something—but humans crave <em>being</em> touched too. Small luxuries are one place to start, such as chair massages, reflexology stations, and manicure booths. Depending on the vibe of the event, you could even have a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/production-strategy/experiential-marketing-activations-sponsorships/article/22366861/inside-shake-shacks-miami-event">“braid bar”</a> for hair braiding, or a head massage booth for a touch of tactile ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response, aka “the tingles”). Remember that it’s not just about having a spa service; being touched is about human connection. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.meetingsnet.com/corporate-meetings-events/experience-design-cmi-25/gallery?slide=1">Folk dance</a> usually involves holding hands or linking arms, and can create a memorable opening or closing event. Just make sure to keep any hands-on events optional and particularly professional in nature, and to have hand sanitizer at the ready.</p>
<h3><strong>Break the ice</strong></h3>
<p>A good icebreaker can go a long way toward cementing groups. Having an activity that involves the hands can be helpful for shy attendees, allowing them to participate without fearing that they’ll be put on the spot. You can have people get their hands dirty with a <a target="_blank" href="https://gardenuity.com/pages/corporate-partners">group gardening workshop</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kinetic-sand-and-artist-dan-lam-encourage-you-to-touch-the-art-this-november-301423150.html">kinetic sand sculptures</a>, or group decoration of an item that serves as a centerpiece for the event (like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/production-strategy/experiential-marketing-activations-sponsorships/media-gallery/22471427/cool-event-ideas-from-september-2022?utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_campaign=10/3/2022_EN.1003BizBash&amp;utm_source=">this oversized shoe</a>). Or just set up a crafts event, such as a booth for making <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/production-strategy/event-production-fabrication/media-gallery/22353760/miami-swim-week-2022-recap">cellphone straps</a> like a recent beauty event did. Bonus points for tying the hands-on activity to the purpose of your meeting, as with the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/production-strategy/event-production-fabrication/media-gallery/22432201/a-look-inside-nycs-new-hiphop-museum">DIY graffiti wall</a> for the opening of the Universal Hip Hop Museum in New York City. Another option that’s more explicitly geared to prime tactile sensations is to set up a guessing game, where participants are blindfolded and then handle various objects, both common (an orange, grains of rice) and uncommon (windup chattering teeth, wooden shoes), and guess what they are.</p>

Tickle Your Guests’ Delight by Adding Tactile Activities to Your Events.

The Five Senses of Meetings: Make Your Meetings More Tactile

<p>Even the simplest of meetings has something you can taste, even if it’s as humble as a cup of coffee. That ubiquity means that taste is already a part of every meeting you’re planning. Why not use the gustatory senses to level up your meetings?</p>
<p>Having delicious food and drinks on hand is part of the equation (and it won’t earn you any complaints). But leveraging the morsels you offer to maximize your meeting’s impact will make your event all the sweeter. Here are five ways to get started.</p>
<p><em>For ways to bring the other senses into your events, visit the other articles in this series: </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/428/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meetings-more-visual"><em>sight</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/429/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meeting-super-sonic"><em>sound</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/516/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meetings-more-tactile"><em>touch</em></a><em>, and </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/512/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-incorporate-scent-into-your-events"><em>smell</em></a><em>.</em></p>

<h3><strong>Test your taste buds</strong></h3>
<p>A taste test requires participants to focus their senses so they can discern one variety of whatever they’re tasting from another—making it a great exercise for priming people to truly pay attention to the moment. An expert-led tasting educates attendees on the treat in question, but it’s not your only option. Try setting up stations, each hosting a different variety of the featured item, and let guests draw their own conclusions. (You can also up the ante and make it a blind taste test, then give out prizes to the people who guess the most ingestibles correctly.) As for what to taste: Wine and chocolate tastings are perennial favorites, but you can get creative. Tasting the differences in everyday items—honey, salt—can reveal exactly how attuned we are to subtle variations in flavor.</p>
<h3><strong>Make standard snacks sensational</strong></h3>
<p>Sometimes it’s not the destination that matters, but the journey. Let that guide a taste voyage, by offering a relatively simple snack that’s served or prepared in an interesting fashion. Try a station using liquid nitrogen to make popcorn or ice cream, for example. Even just serving food in a heightened manner can make your event more memorable, whether that’s serving meals under cloches, using edible presentations, or deploying bento boxes.</p>

<h3><strong>Get attendees’ hands dirty</strong></h3>
<p>Who doesn’t love a sundae bar? True, everybody loves a sundae, but the joy of a sundae bar is getting a chance to build your own dessert without the effort of gathering ingredients. You can extend that thinking to pretty much any otherwise standard menu offering, elevating it beyond the item itself. Hot dogs with all the toppings, lemonades with a choice of herbal infusions, and, sure, sundaes—the point is to let guests build it themselves, not just serve it to them as is.</p>
<h3><strong>Withhold taste</strong></h3>
<p>Preventing people from tasting can call attention to the gustatory senses just as much as feeding them. At a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/catering-design/event-design-decor/media-gallery/22144139/event-decor-inspiration-from-diffa-by-design-2022">2022 fundraiser for Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS</a>, the New York School of Interior Design built a tiered faux serving structure with expensive foods stationed at the top, literally untouchable. This particular execution was designed to call attention to food inequality, and the concept could apply to any meeting with a theme centering on scarcity—or, on the opposite end, desire. (Just make sure you eventually feed your attendees, even if you play tricks with priming their palates.)</p>
<h3><strong>Match your menu to your meaning</strong></h3>
<p>Catering offers you the opportunity to underscore your meeting’s mission in a visceral way. Hosting an event marking an anniversary milestone—say, an association’s 50th anniversary? Plan around foods popular in the 1970s, such as Watergate salad and fondue. Want to call attention to your host city’s history? Plan a menu around that city’s heritage. If other menu considerations limit your ability to go off the grid, get creative with naming. For the <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/inspirational-stories/article/405/ask-the-right-questions-get-the-right-answers">Florida Dental Association’s 2022 convention</a>, the “Sea Vibes” theme meant there was plenty of seafood on offer. But simply renaming the salad bar “Poseidon’s Power Greens Salad Bar” kept seafood-averse folks sated while remaining on theme.</p>

Think Beyond Standard Catering to Make Your Meeting More Memorable.

The Five Senses of Meetings: Make Your Event More Tasteful

Promote

<p>If it were as easy as it sounds to “stay in the moment,” the mindfulness-app industry might be worth $1 million—not $1 billion. Fact is, in a world with distractions pinging us from every angle, it can be difficult to be truly present—which detracts from the attendee experience.</p>
<p>How can planners fight this battle for their attendees’ undivided attention? Use tools to help keep attendees’ minds in the moment and resist getting swept up into the rapids of distractions. Some of those tools are even digital—yes, tech can be a distraction in and of itself, but there are ways to harness it to stay present.</p>

<h3><strong>1) Go retro with instant cameras.</strong></h3>
<p>Yes, cameras are ubiquitous, but we’re not talking about the camera on your smartphone here. Remember Polaroids? Part of their charm lies in the one-and-done factor. Planners can activate this sentiment by supplying instant cameras at in-person gatherings.</p>
<p>You can’t top the convenience of digital cameras, but instant cameras are nostalgic and produce tangible photos that you can hold in your hand, <a target="_blank" href="https://dailytitan.com/opinion/physical-items-are-more-valuable-than-digital-ones/article_41f8716e-b90c-11ec-b87e-e3e633282f8e.html">which engage people more deeply</a> compared with their digital counterparts. And something tangible is probably what your attendees are looking for after two years in front of screens. It’s no wonder that <a target="_blank" href="https://studybreaks.com/thoughts/polaroid-instant-film/">Polaroids are making a comeback</a> in the age of smartphones.</p>
<h3><strong>2) Use apps to help attendees focus on the now.</strong></h3>
<p>Another thing about photography: When people take photos on their phones, they tend to immediately look at how the picture came out. Problem is, while attendees have their eyes on their phones, they’re no longer in the moment, missing parts of the event experience. But some photo-sharing apps can remedy this by delaying the payoff. <a target="_blank" href="https://apps.apple.com/pl/app/dispo-digital-disposable-cam/id1491684197">Dispo</a>, for example, acts as a digital disposable camera, building in time for photos to “develop” before anyone can see or share them—eliminating the tendency to look at photos while actually doing the activities being photographed.</p>
<p>Apps’ here-and-now potential goes beyond photos. Since many attendees are going to have their smartphones in their hands no matter what, planners can help attendees use their phones as a tool to stay in the know, in the moment. Some conference apps—such as <a target="_blank" href="https://whova.com/">Whova</a>—let attendees submit questions to live Q&amp;As, participate in polls and quizzes, access resources for more information on sessions and speakers, and interact with other attendees. On most of these apps, the event manager can also send push notifications to attendees about schedule changes and other updates.</p>
<h3><strong>3) Make it interactive.</strong></h3>
<p>Tech-enabled options to deploy during sessions include polls and quizzes—but there are non-tech options too, such as handheld signs distributed to participants, that allow them to express their sentiments during sessions.</p>
<p>You could also simply give attendees a quick task and have them split into groups to complete it—perhaps brainstorming an idea based on a creative prompt, which is then shared with the other groups. Virtual or in person, the goal remains the same: Get people involved. If you give attendees something to do instead of just information to process, chances are better that they’ll stay locked in.</p>

Tech Can Redirect Attention. Here’s How to Use That to Your Advantage.

Three Tools to Keep Your Attendees in the Moment

<p>Of all the five senses, scent might be the greatest challenge to incorporate into an event. Sure, you can have an aromatherapy booth or look for a fragrance sponsor for your swag bags, but why limit yourself?</p>
<p>Scent has a particular power to trigger memories, so if your goal is to create memorable events, fragrance gives you a leg up. Just make sure that when you incorporate scent into a session, you let people know ahead of time and have a fragrance-free zone so that people who are hypersensitive to scents can have a safe haven.</p>
<p><em>For ways to bring the other senses into your events, visit the other articles in this series: </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/428/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meetings-more-visual"><em>sight</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/429/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meeting-super-sonic"><em>sound</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/511/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-event-more-tasteful"><em>taste</em></a><em>, and </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/516/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meetings-more-tactile"><em>touch</em></a><em>.</em></p>

<h3><strong>Offer a signature scent…</strong></h3>
<p>Your venue might already be a step ahead of you on this front, as with the bespoke fragrances found in many of Marriott Bonvoy's distinct hotels. That’s for good reason: Because of the unique connection between scent, memory, and emotion, a one-of-a-kind scent can immediately transport guests back to the moment they first smelled a particular scent. Creating a signature scent for your event, dispersed either as a low-grade air freshener or at specific stations, can add a whiff of luxury—and if you send attendees home with a small vial or sachet of the scent, they’ll be able to “revisit” your meeting in a visceral way.</p>
<p><br></p>
<h3><strong>…Or have attendees create their own</strong></h3>
<p>Let guests try their own hand at perfumery in a session geared toward networking, team-building, or recreation. You can bring in a professional guide, or simply have essential oils on hand for people to mix and match. Some planners have found success by having attendees create fragrances that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.themeetingmagazines.com/acf/entertainment/">align with their goals for attending the meeting at large</a>. Custom scents were key to the success of an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartmeetings.com/news/144816/scented-supper-made-meeting-memories">Incentive Research Foundation conference at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort</a>. Fragrance giant Jo Malone began the event with a scent-blending bar, then progressed through a dinner featuring flavors paired with scents.</p>
<p><br></p>
<h3><strong>Sniff out the right flora</strong></h3>
<p>Heady blooms such as roses fit the bill, but you don’t have to have a flower show to offer pockets of natural aroma as a respite for your attendees. Try surrounding indoor topiaries with gently scented ground cover such as sweet woodruff, or create backdrops with clusters of jasmine or gardenia. You could also create a miniature herb garden, encouraging people to pluck leaves to carry the scent with them.</p>

<h3><strong>Play with perception</strong></h3>
<p>Aromatherapy booths have their place at events for a reason—a whiff of peppermint can be energizing, while the scent of lavender is associated with relaxation. But canny meeting planners have an unexpected trick up their sleeves: making a space seem larger than it is. Researchers have found that the scent of apple and cucumber makes people perceive a room as being bigger. If infusing an unexpectedly small space with fragrance is out of the question, a station offering cucumber water can step in.</p>
<p><br></p>
<h3><strong>Get a whiff of this icebreaker</strong></h3>
<p>While scents can trigger powerful memories, it’s not always easy to identify what exactly goes into a particular fragrance. Use that to your advantage with an icebreaker guessing game: Gather a mixture of strongly scented items, essential oils, and premade fragrances. Place them in opaque containers at different stations, and have people open and smell what’s inside. Aim for a mix of the easily guessable (apple, grapefruit, soil) to the familiar yet esoteric (salt, ozone, Champagne) to keep people talking and comparing notes.</p>
<p><br></p>
<h3><strong>Create a scent lounge</strong></h3>
<p>One liquor company had its work cut out for it when it created <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/catering-design/beverages/article/22366676/how-3-spirits-companies-tickled-taste-buds">stations featuring the concentrated aroma of the ingredients</a> in the liquor being promoted. If your meeting is focused on food, beverage, or a destination, this is easy enough to mimic. But the principles can apply to any field or theme. An arts conference could have stations featuring the scents of paint, chalk, and clay. Chalk could come in handy again in a meeting for educators, along with the aromas of ballpoint ink, fingerpaint, and apples.</p>

Give Your Event the Smell of Success With These Tips.

The Five Senses of Meetings: Incorporate Scent Into Your Events

Celebrate

<p>Life is but a game—or at least, it can be if you incorporate play into your meetings from the ground up. Here are a couple of ways to make the gaming life a part of your next event.</p>
<p><br></p>
<h3><strong>Gamify Engagement, Hybrid-Style.</strong></h3>
<p>One of the challenges of hybrid meetings is making sure that virtual attendees and in-room attendees both stay engaged with the goal of the meeting. Introducing a gamification element that is rooted in the event’s virtual capacity can bring both sets of attendees together.</p>
<p>While there are plenty of apps and services available for gamifying sessions, your basic platforms probably already enable gaming to a degree. A Zoom poll turns into a game when the prompt is trivia or an icebreaker question; collaborative whiteboards allow participants to, say, solve a challenge together.</p>
<p>Another fun option: social media. Set up a scavenger hunt or photo challenge, and ask attendees to participate using a custom <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/tips-and-trends/article/422/perfect-the-art-of-the-hashtag">hashtag</a>.</p>

<h3><strong>Design the Meeting Around a Purpose-Built Game Space.</strong></h3>
<p>Bringing games into a space is one thing—but bringing participants into a game space is another. When looking at venues, consider the value-add of venues that have built-in game rooms. They’re an obvious choice for icebreaker events, but imagine what a small group session at an in-house bowling alley could turn into!</p>
<p>A few spots that set a playful example:</p>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Harbor Social at </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/wasgn-gaylord-national-resort-and-convention-center/overview/"><strong>Gaylord National Resort &amp; Convention Center</strong></a><strong>, National Harbor, Maryland:</strong> Shuffleboard? Check. Air hockey? Check. Duckpin bowling, 10,000-square-foot sports bar, bocce court? Check, check, and check. That’s in addition to 94 event rooms, 101 breakout rooms, and nearly 550,000 square feet of event space. This space was purpose-built for networking after an evaluation of what people missed most about in-person gatherings: being together and networking with others.</li>
  <li><strong>Rampart Casino at</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/lasjw-jw-marriott-las-vegas-resort-and-spa/overview/"><strong> JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort &amp; Spa</strong></a><strong>:</strong> The on-site team is experienced in coordinating with meeting planners who want to give attendees a taste of the Vegas experience without spending valuable convention time roaming the Strip. A meeting-branded casino night would be a hit—but if that doesn’t fit the tone of your attendees, take advantage of on-site lessons.</li>
  <li><strong>10K Alley at </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mrkfl-jw-marriott-marco-island-beach-resort/overview/"><strong>JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort</strong></a><strong>:</strong> The <a target="_blank" href="https://10kalleyatjwmarco.com/">bowling alley</a> isn’t the only game on tap here—arcade games and mini golf round out the offerings. (And games aren’t the only thing on tap either; the bar hosts more than 50 Florida-brewed craft beers.) With state-of-the-art facilities (virtual reality, anyone?), it’s well-equipped for events.</li>
</ul>

North America

Let’s Talk About How to Gamify Your Next Event.

Push “Play” on Your Next Meeting With Games

<p>Your schedules are printed. Your slides are ready. Now it’s time to think about taking your event to the next level. After all, <a target="_blank" href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=587201">65% of people self-report as being visual learners</a>, which means appealing to their sense of sight will help make your meeting one to remember.</p>
<p>If you want to create an engaging experience that attendees won’t soon forget, focus on incorporating iconic visuals that go beyond the usual meeting media. Here’s some inspiration for your next eye-catching event.</p>
<p><em>For ways to bring the other senses into your events, visit the other articles in this series: </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/516/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meetings-more-tactile"><em>touch</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/429/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meeting-super-sonic"><em>sound</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/511/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-event-more-tasteful"><em>taste</em></a><em>, and </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/512/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-incorporate-scent-into-your-events"><em>smell</em></a><em> .</em></p>
<h3><strong>Set the tone on social media</strong></h3>
<p>Before your event even begins, ramp up the visual excitement with posts on social media. Try a color-block feed like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/thecollecteur/">The Collecteur</a>, bright multicolor shots like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/katespadeny/">Kate Spade New York</a>, or graphic quotes like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/britandco/">Brit + Co</a>. You can even dedicate all 12 squares of your grid to <a target="_blank" href="https://designshack.net/articles/inspiration/instagram-grid-template/">one big image</a> that simply can’t be ignored.</p>
<h3><strong>Go bold with bright visuals</strong></h3>
<p>Take a cue from a conference made for design professionals. The <a target="_blank" href="https://mindsparklemag.com/design/aiga-design-conference/">schedules, notebooks, and wayfinding signs</a> from AIGA’s annual design conference a few years ago were so unapologetically attention-grabbing, with vivid colors and bold type, that attendees were more likely to keep them for inspiration than toss them in the trash at the end of the day.</p>
<h3><strong>Get graphic with note-taking</strong></h3>
<p>During a presentation, it can be difficult to strike a balance between paying attention to the speaker and taking notes on the useful information they share. Chicago Ideas Week brought in a <a target="_blank" href="https://inkfactorystudio.com/visual-notes/chicago-ideas-week/">visual note-taker</a> to capture key information and quotable moments in graphic form. The artwork was then displayed for attendees to peruse. These notes can also be sent to eventgoers in PDF form or printed as a booklet.</p>
<h3><strong>Color on the walls</strong></h3>
<p>During spring break campus events, the University of Texas at Austin encouraged students to leave their mark on a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fancyfeatures.com/blogs/interactive-art-blog/texan-coloring-wall-at-ut-austin">giant Texas-inspired coloring wall</a>—essentially a huge coloring page. At your next event, invite participants to get creative and decompress between sessions as they fill in the blanks on a themed wall with paint pens.</p>
<h3><strong>Create a shareable backdrop</strong></h3>
<p>Veuve Cliquot had not one, but <a target="_blank" href="https://www.shawnayamamoto.com/blog/2021/11/16/sy-amp-co-attends-las-hottest-event-veuve-polo-classic-2021">three backdrops</a> at a 2021 polo party, which set the stage for the event and provided a fun spot for selfies and photos. Opt for a branded, snap-worthy backdrop—think florals, balloons, or neon—and attendees won’t be able to resist posting about your event on social media.</p>
<h3><strong>Entice attendees with interactive film</strong></h3>
<p>HP encouraged data scientists to hone their skills with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hp.com/us-en/workstations/industries/data-science/unlocked-with-z.html">an interactive film</a> that promoted their Z by HP line. Participants watched a four-part film, then analyzed and worked through a dataset to try to solve the film’s mystery. While an interactive film may not be in your budget, consider kicking off your event with an engaging video that touts a new product or service.</p>
<h3><strong>Identify attendees at a glance</strong></h3>
<p>Target used <a target="_blank" href="https://dribbble.com/shots/6577559-Target-Incubator-Badges">colored badges</a> to differentiate corporate employees, speakers, and attendees at an event for their incubator program. If your event involves people from various companies or industries, try going visual with badges. Think red for sales professionals and blue for product managers, or green for vendors and orange for attendees.</p>

Look no further: Here are seven ideas to make your next event a sight to behold.

The Five Senses of Meetings: Make Your Meetings More Visual

<p>In an era where technology is rapidly transforming industries, Marriott International is stepping things up with innovative artificial intelligence initiatives that aim to revolutionize the way event planners engage with the brand. Recently, Marriott began testing a new AI-powered search tool on its <a target="_blank" href="https://homes-and-villas.marriott.com/?cid=PAI_GLB00051M3_GLE000BWNN_GLF000PTPM&amp;pId=hvtbppc&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw2ou2BhCCARIsANAwM2HTvwYeL4JpbXhXq0qW0OYWxuLoDgtGT0q-Hmv66GpsDgIvN0c0cUcaApkPEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">Homes &amp; Villas website</a>, marking significant progress in the company’s quest to integrate AI across its operations. This move underscores Marriott’s commitment to enhancing customer experiences and providing planners with the latest tools to make their gatherings more efficient and impactful.</p>

<h2><strong>The AI Revolution: A New Approach to Search</strong></h2>
<p>At the heart of Marriott’s AI efforts is the implementation of a natural language search tool on the Homes &amp; Villas website. This innovative tool allows users to describe exactly what they want from a vacation, moving beyond the traditional search parameters of destination and dates. While still in its testing phase, the AI search tool is already showing promise in terms of user engagement, even if customers are still getting used to the idea of using conversational language to find their ideal accommodations.</p>
<p>Drew Pinto, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue and Technology Officer for Marriott International, highlighted the significance of this initiative, noting that AI has the potential to alter the way customers interact with Marriott’s digital platforms. “AI is going to transform so many things, so we want to experiment,” Pinto explains. The natural language search tool is just one of the first moves in what Pinto describes as a “generative AI incubator”—a space where Marriott can explore various AI-driven concepts and gather feedback from both customers and associates. “Drawing from over 200 use cases submitted from our associates globally, our incubator is using AI in three key areas,” Pinto says. These areas are enhancing the associate and customer experience, kick-starting content generation, and enabling a better and more efficient work environment.</p>
<p>Marriott is also exploring the integration of the Professional Convention Management Association’s AI-powered tool, Spark, which streamlines agenda creation and improves attendee engagement, into some of its upcoming events. Spark utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze vast amounts of data, helping planners optimize session scheduling, speaker selection, and content curation. It then tailors recommendations based on attendee preferences and past event performance, ensuring a personalized schedule.</p>

<h2><strong>The Practical Implications for Event Planners</strong></h2>
<p>For event planners, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/592/three-ways-for-beginners-to-try-out-ai">the implications of Marriott’s AI advancements are profound</a>. As these tools grow and expand across Marriott’s platforms, planners can expect a range of benefits designed to streamline the planning process.</p>
<p>One of the most exciting prospects is the ability to leverage AI-driven search and customization features. Imagine a future where planners can describe their ideal event setup—everything from the ambiance of the venue to the specific food desired —and have Marriott’s AI system generate tailored recommendations. This kind of intuitive interaction could save planners valuable time and ensure that every detail aligns with their vision.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the integration of AI into Marriott’s technology ecosystem means that event planners will have access to real-time data and insights that can inform decision-making. For example, AI-powered tools could analyze past events to suggest the most effective configurations, catering options, or even attendee engagement strategies. This level of data-driven planning not only increases the quality of events but also deepens the relationship between planners and Marriott, as the brand becomes a trusted partner in delivering successful, memorable events.</p>

<h2><strong>A Philosophical Shift: Learning and Adapting with AI</strong></h2>
<p>Historically, Marriott has been known for perfecting new technologies before rolling them out to customers. However, with AI, the company is embracing a more iterative, learn-as-you-go approach. As Pinto explains, “If it’s an area of our business that we think we can accept some risk, let’s try and let’s let the customer and our associates tell us what’s good and bad.”</p>
<p>This mindset is particularly relevant in the context of AI, where the technology is still evolving. By launching AI tools early and gathering feedback, Marriott hopes to ensure that its offerings remain relevant and effective. For event planners, this means that they can expect continuous improvements in the AI tools available to them, with Marriott actively incorporating user feedback to refine and update its services.</p>

<h2><strong>The Bigger Picture: Transforming the Customer Experience</strong></h2>
<p>Beyond the specific tools and features, Marriott’s AI initiatives are part of a much larger technology transformation that aims to fundamentally change the customer journey. This includes the replacement of Marriott’s core technologies—such as the property management system (PMS), central reservation system (CRS), and loyalty platform—with modern, scalable, cloud-based solutions.</p>
<p>This overhaul is not just about upgrading technology; it’s about creating a more seamless, integrated event for both customers and employees. As Marriott invests in AI and other digital technologies, the goal is to enable better interactions at every touchpoint, from booking a room to organizing large-scale meetings. For planners, this could mean everything from automated check-in processes that free up staff to focus on guest relations, to AI-powered tools that simplify the complex logistics of event planning.</p>

<h2><strong>A Partnership for the Future</strong></h2>
<p>As Marriott continues to innovate with AI, event planners stand to benefit from a suite of powerful tools and services designed to make their jobs easier and their events more successful. By embracing AI, Marriott is not only enhancing its own operations but also its relationship with planners. As these technologies evolve, planners can look forward to a future where AI plays an integral role in every aspect of their events—and Marriott is an indispensable partner in their success.</p>

The Cutting-Edge Tools That Will Enable a More Personalized and Efficient Event Experience.

How Marriott’s AI Initiatives Will Empower Event Planners

<p>Mic check? Done. AV setup? Done. Music selected? Done.</p>
<p>Your sonic setup can begin and end there—but it doesn’t have to. Music helps set the tone for an event, but the auditory world goes beyond music. Sound is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.livescience.com/8426-brain-link-sounds-smells-memory-revealed.html">just as powerful as sight and smell</a> when it comes to triggering emotions and forming memories, and using it in ways other than the expected can help you shape your meetings. Here are some ideas to inspire the audio at your next event.</p>
<p><em>For ways to bring the other senses into your events, visit the other articles in this series: </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/428/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meetings-more-visual"><em>sight</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/516/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meetings-more-tactile"><em>touch</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/511/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-event-more-tasteful"><em>taste</em></a><em>, and </em><a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/512/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-incorporate-scent-into-your-events"><em>smell</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<h3><strong>Pairing sound with visuals</strong></h3>
<p>GE and The New York Times Magazine partnered to <a target="_blank" href="https://giantspoon.com/work/general-electric">create an aural experience</a> to go with a special issue of the magazine. They aimed to help readers match <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/tips-and-trends/article/428/the-five-senses-of-meetings:-make-your-meetings-more-visual">images</a> with vivid, engaging sounds, such as the glass-breaking crackle of a lava flow from Kilauea and honking horns and shouting street vendors in Lagos, Nigeria. If you’re introducing new machinery or tech at a conference, try pairing images with the sounds it makes when operating.</p>
<h3><strong>Take a bath</strong></h3>
<p>Sound baths have gained popularity as a meditative aural experience. You can <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/03/style/self-care/sound-baths.html">do the real thing</a>—Toronto General Hospital recently held a sound bath performance as part of its Music Can Heal concert series. Or borrow from the phenomenon by creating a sound loop that you can stream throughout the meeting. For a tourism event, try evoking the feeling of travel with the sound of jet engines, church bells, taxis, and a street festival.</p>
<h3><strong>Branding with sound</strong></h3>
<p>Beyond commercial jingles, brands are experimenting with sound—BMW, for example, <a target="_blank" href="https://qz.com/1655649/interstellar-composer-filling-the-silence-of-bmw-electric-cars/">partnered with Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer</a> to craft sounds for its notably mute electric cars. A sonic brand can be as simple as a few notes that, over time, become associated with a company through marketing. (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marketingdive.com/news/mastercard-sonic-branding-timbaland-priceless-album/625808/?utm_campaign=mkb&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_source=morning_brew">Mastercard recently took the plunge</a> into sonic branding with an album featuring tracks inspired by the Mastercard melody, familiar to us through their commercials.) Give your meeting a sonic brand by choosing a special sound to indicate the start of a meeting or end of a break period. Think: the sound of clinking glass for a meeting of beverage professionals, or chirping crickets for a gathering of conservationists.</p>
<h3><strong>An audio adventure</strong></h3>
<p>Sound has the power to transform a space and transport listeners to another dimension. Take a cue from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.darkfield.org/seance/">Séance</a>, the “intense sonic performance” that was a hit at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Guests sat in a small, dark space and listened to an immersive audio experience that had them believe a séance was happening in their midst. In a meeting, try giving guests headphones and streaming sounds related to the meeting’s purpose to set the tone—a medical conference might use a soundscape that incorporates sounds health professionals hear through a stethoscope, for example.</p>
<h3><strong>ASMR in person</strong></h3>
<p>ASMR—or autonomous sensory meridian response—is a physiological response to sensory cues. In recent years, it has gained popularity through “whisper videos” online, but <a target="_blank" href="https://whisperlodge.nyc/">it’s a hit at events, too</a>. Try holding a live ASMR performance at your event that immerses guests in the experience, like the sound of rustling pages and clicking keys at a literary event.</p>
<h3><strong>Incite virtual conversations</strong></h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/">Clubhouse</a> is a virtual water cooler, where users can wander “hallways” and step in on meeting rooms to engage in audio-only conversations. Professionals tout it as a networking hub. For virtual meetings, the app can be a great way to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartmeetings.com/tips-tools/technology/131412/meeting-planners-clubhouse">keep the conversation going</a> outside of videoconferences and breakout sessions.</p>

Haven’t you heard? Planners can move beyond music to make your meeting an auditory experience.

The Five Senses of Meetings: Make Your Meeting Super Sonic

<p>Whether it’s through sleek food carts, delivery robots, or roving food stations, mobile dining options are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/garyocchiogrosso/2024/01/20/trends-shaping-the-ever-changing-restaurant-business-in-2024/">revolutionizing the restaurant industry</a>, which is changing the way we think about event catering. The true magic of mobile food solutions lies in their ability to create a networking-friendly environment. By bringing the food to the guests, these innovative options encourage interaction and engagement. Attendees are more likely to strike up conversations when they don’t have to wait in long lines or leave their groups to get food. This fluidity fosters a more relaxed and sociable atmosphere, perfect for building connections and making new acquaintances.</p>
<p>Additionally, mobile food solutions offer versatility and customization, allowing event planners to tailor the dining experience to suit the theme and objectives of the event. From elegant hors d’oeuvres served on silver platters by roving servers to interactive food stations where guests can build their own tacos or personalize their cocktails, the possibilities are endless. This adaptability ensures that each event is unique, leaving guests with a lasting impression of creativity and hospitality.</p>
<p>Here are three mobile food solutions that can transform any gathering into a networking-friendly extravaganza.</p>

<h2><strong>1. Food Carts</strong></h2>
<p>The food truck industry has experienced a significant upswing in recent years. According to a report by Grand View Research, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/food-trucks-market-report">global food trucks market was valued at $3.93 billion in 2020 and is expected to see a growth rate of 6.8% from 2021 to 2028</a>. According to the report, the growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for street food among millennials and Gen Z, which makes this choice a particularly good fit for modern events. Imagine guests mingling at an outdoor soirée, the warm glow of string lights overhead, as they approach a beautifully designed food cart offering gourmet sliders, artisanal pizzas, or decadent desserts. The sight and smell of delicious food being prepared right before one’s eyes creates an interactive experience that invites conversation and connection.</p>
<p>Food carts can also add a dash of fun to any event. Consider a vintage ice cream cart with a friendly attendant scooping out handcrafted gelato, or a chic espresso cart serving up rich, aromatic coffee. Again, these mobile culinary units not only satisfy hunger by appealing to a vast array of tastes, but they also serve as conversation starters; the more unique and specific the cart, in fact, the more likely it is to help to break the ice and foster new friendships among guests.</p>

<h2><strong>2. Delivery Robots</strong></h2>
<p>As <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/09/02/how-technology-is-changing-the-restaurant-business/">technology continues to advance</a>, so too does the restaurant and hospitality industry’s ability to surprise and delight guests. Delivery robots are at the forefront of this movement, offering a futuristic and efficient way to serve food at events. These autonomous little helpers can navigate through crowds with ease, delivering everything from appetizers to cocktails right to guests’ hands.</p>
<p>Picture the excitement as a sleek robot rolls up to a group of attendees, offering them a selection of gourmet canapés or shot glasses full of ceviche. Not only do these robots add high-tech flair to any event, but they also ensure that guests can enjoy their food and drinks without interrupting their conversations — a seamless integration of technology and hospitality.</p>

<h2><strong>3. Roving Food Stations</strong></h2>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://bridalboutiques.us/roaming-food-bars-our-favorite-wedding-reception-food-trend-for-2019/">Roving food stations</a> (also sometimes called roaming or rolling food stations), staffed by chefs, take the concept of mobile dining to the next level by bringing the food directly to the guests. Instead of having attendees line up at a buffet, these stations move throughout the event space, offering a variety of dishes and beverages. This dynamic approach encourages mingling and allows guests to sample different cuisines without having to leave their conversations or spots.</p>
<p>Think: A sushi chef expertly crafting rolls on a mobile cart, a mixologist shaking up signature cocktails from a stylish bar cart, or a chef carving succulent roast meats from a portable station. The mobility of these stations ensures that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy all of the culinary offerings at your event.</p>
<p>So, the next time you’re planning an event, consider mobile food solutions. Not only will they satisfy your guests’ taste buds, but they’ll also create a networking-friendly atmosphere that is sure to make your event memorable.</p>

There’s a New Way to Delight Hungry Guests. 

3 Mobile Food Ideas That Will Create a Memorable Event

<p>As a planner, you probably recognize that personalizing your events can deepen engagement, but accommodating a wide variety of attendee needs takes time. Tech can help you with this monumental task—if you know how to use it right.</p>
<p>Custom mobile event apps, artificial intelligence for itinerary assistance, and on-site engagement tools might be familiar technology to you, but they include features that you may not be using to the fullest extent to personalize experiences for attendees. Here’s a look at the possibilities.</p>

<h2><strong>1. Custom Mobile Event Apps</strong></h2>
<p>Attendees are going to have their smartphones with them during events for quick access to everything they need. Mobile apps, a longtime staple of planners, are one way to provide a personalized journey.</p>
<p>You know that event apps show attendees the schedule and can give them the ability to personalize their agenda. Taking it a step further, when users complete their profile and set up notification preferences, it generates valuable data to help you tailor your communications to them, from welcome messages to targeted event reminders and updates.</p>
<p>As you research app developers—including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cvent.com/en/event-marketing-management/mobile-event-apps">Cvent</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nunify.com/event-app">Nunify</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://swoogo.events/mobile/">Swoogo</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://whova.com/whova-event-app/">Whova</a>—and explore their suite of features, make sure you keep attendee personalization top of mind. Do you want to communicate to attendees or have them chat with each other? What about an interactive map for easier navigation to exhibit floors and meeting rooms? Or <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/561/survey-says-three-ways-to-add-polling-to-the-program">polls</a>, Q&amp;A chats, and surveys to boost engagement? Maybe a virtual help desk so people can get their questions answered?</p>
<p>Apps can be branded to include your event name and match your theme (called white-label apps), or they can carry the provider’s branding and direct people to select your event from a list inside the app (referred to as container apps). Branded apps usually cost more but offer a richer, more personalized experience for your event that attendees will appreciate.</p>

<h2><strong>2. Artificial Intelligence for Itinerary Assistance</strong></h2>
<p>Acting as a tireless and talented assistant, AI systems such as ChatGPT can help you develop itineraries—leveraging huge amounts of data and churning out actionable insights—so you are free to be more strategic in your work.</p>
<p>In the early stages of planning, AI tools can be useful in brainstorming. Ask AI to generate options for destinations or themes for your event, and you’ll soon have plenty of information to react to and refine. By adding past attendee data to the search, you’ll get results that are grounded in what people are looking for.</p>
<p>When it comes to content, for example, AI can analyze registration data and past event behaviors, so you’re able to cater to your audience’s interests. For instance, AI might identify a large segment that is interested in <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/417/innovative-wellness-strategies-spark-today-s-most-successful-events">wellness</a>, and you can add sessions around those topics.</p>
<p>At an individual level, platforms such as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.glueup.com/features/ai-copilot">Glue Up</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://splashthat.com">Splash</a> use AI algorithms to review people’s profiles and past data and personalize agendas that ensure everyone gets the most relevant content. AI could also recommend that someone attend a one-on-one meeting or a small group session with others who share similar interests.</p>

<h2><strong>3. On-Site Engagement Tools</strong></h2>
<p>Event planners can use various technologies to enhance on-site engagement and create a more personalized experience for attendees.</p>
<p>Mobile apps, mentioned earlier, can get the job done. Poring through attendee data, these platforms offer individualized schedules, session recommendations, targeted content, and personalized navigation.</p>
<p>Using badges or wristbands with radio-frequency identification (RFID) also can help to seamlessly personalize the attendee experience. For example, people can quickly register and check into sessions, and when they do, dynamic displays in the area can show them personalized messages. Also, when their movements are tracked with RFID, they can receive personalized recommendations, such as related sessions or other people they can meet who are nearby.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/421/push-play-on-your-next-meeting-with-games">Gamification</a> elements such as scavenger hunts, point systems, or leaderboards can be personalized based on attendee interests, encouraging participation and interaction as well.</p>
<p>Virtual reality (VR) technology offers many possibilities for customization and interaction that lead to memorable attendee experiences. Whether through personalized tours, virtual training, immersive storytelling, or team-building exercises, VR can transform the way attendees engage with events.</p>

<h2><strong>Tech Solutions for You</strong></h2>
<p>Technology in and of itself is not personal, but solutions such as mobile event apps, AI-powered itinerary assistance, and on-site engagement innovations are effective tools to have within reach. When used optimally in the events landscape, tech can help you create tailored attendee experiences that resonate on an individual level, driving deeper engagement—and lasting impressions.</p>

Drive Engagement by Leveraging These Technology Tools.

Three Ways Tech Helps Personalize Events

<p>Chances are you’ve already ramped up your alcohol-free options in the past couple of years as a response to <a target="_blank" href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/509690/young-adults-drinking-less-prior-decades.aspx">the lower rates of drinking in the U.S.</a> and if you haven’t modernized your offerings in the face of this growing trend, you may be leaving value on the table.</p>
<p>Fortunately, elevating your alcohol-free or <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/412/time-to-imbibe:-reduced-alcohol-cocktails">low-alcohol</a> options doesn’t have to be complicated, costly, or any less festive than serving boozy offerings. By incorporating, say, functional beverages, setting up a tea bar, and offering spirit-free flights, meeting planners can create a best-in-class beverage experience that satisfies a variety of tastes and preferences and also facilitates inclusivity and wellness. So, the next time you’re planning an event, use these ideas to mix up your spirit free offerings and leave a lasting impression—that’s not a hangover.</p>

<h2><strong>1. Functional Beverages</strong></h2>
<p>Modern beverages &nbsp;include functional ingredients that help keep attendees’ energy levels up and their minds sharp. Consider creating a booze free menu based around the following ingredients, which don’t just add flavor, they also offer health benefits, giving them added bang for the buck.</p>
<p>● Electrolytes. Some you may have heard of include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, chloride, and bicarbonate. These essential minerals, which help regulate fluid levels, can be found in coconut water, watermelon juice, and cucumbers, which are all delicious on their own or blended into other nonalcoholic beverages.</p>
<p>● Nootropics. These can include ingredients like ginseng, L-theanine, and green tea extract, all shown to enhance cognitive function. Think about mixing them into juices or teas.</p>
<p>● Adaptogens. These natural substances that help the body adapt to stress can be found in ingredients like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and holy basil, all of which can be incorporated into low- or alcohol-free beverages.</p>

<h2><strong>2. Tea Bars</strong></h2>
<p>Tea has seen a resurgence in popularity, especially among <a target="_blank" href="https://www.worldteanews.com/issues-trends/what-tea-retailers-need-know-about-gen-z-and-their-drinking-habits">Gen Z</a>, who are attracted to its variety of flavors and health benefits. Offering a tea bar is an inventive alcohol-free alternative that can cater to your youngest attendees. Try presenting a wide range of teas—served iced or hot—from classic black and green teas to herbal and fruit-infused options (which can be mixed with one another). A jasmine tea lemonade or a spiced chai mocktail can offer a refreshing and complex flavor profile without the need for alcohol.</p>

<h2><strong>3. Spirit-Free Flights</strong></h2>
<p>One of the more innovative trends in the beverage industry is the concept of spirit-free flights. These flights mimic the sophistication and team-building experience of traditional spirits tastings but without the alcohol, making them perfect for corporate events and networking sessions. Try offering a selection of spirit-free options, such as nonalcoholic wines, beers, and distilled spirits. Present them in a stylish manner, similar to traditional flights, with tasting notes and pairing suggestions. Optional: Serve with snacks or small bites.</p>
<p>Or, engage attendees by incorporating elements like aroma kits, flavor wheels, and guided tastings led by a knowledgeable host. This not only educates attendees about the nuances of different nonalcoholic beverages but also fosters a sense of community and togetherness—<del> </del>team bonding at its finest.</p>

Shirley Temples Are Child’s Play When It Comes to Alcohol-Free Beverage Options.

Three Ways to Level Up Your Alcohol-Free Beverages

<p>Audience participation is one of the most tech-forward meeting developments today, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.iacconline.org/iacc-meeting-room-of-the-future">research from IACC</a>. In-session polling offers a particular benefit to presenters and planners: By giving attendees a real-time, active presence in programming, in-session polling can drive engagement and focus.</p>
<p>But there’s a difference between throwing a single question on the screen as a gimmick and truly leveraging the possibilities of live polling technology. Here are three tips for deploying polls in sessions, for you to use directly or to pass on to presenters.</p>

<h2><strong>Power Poll Tactic #1: Choose Your Own Adventure</strong></h2>
<p>Let the poll dictate the direction of a session by allowing attendees to choose at the start what they’d like to learn about. Give two options—or more if presenters are OK with it—and kick it off with the question to the audience.</p>
<p>This requires presenters or panelists to be on board with the plan, but the possibilities for an energetic, spontaneous session may be worth it to the right team. Written agendas should communicate the “choose your own adventure” aspect to attendees, which both builds anticipation for the structure of the session and sets expectations that attendees should be prepared to go with the flow.</p>
<p>This style of engagement works particularly well with panelists who are dynamic and have presented together before, or who otherwise have a strong rapport.</p>

<h2><strong>Power Poll Tactic #2: Repeat Yourself</strong></h2>
<p>Most sessions are meant to change or open attendees’ perspectives in some way, whether that’s through education, persuasion, or promotion. You can get real-time insight into a session’s effectiveness by posing the same question at the beginning and end of a session to gauge whether attendees have changed their mind in any way.</p>
<p>Launch a session by asking a question that’s central to the presentation’s message. Aim for a question that’s slightly provocative to generate intrigue, or simply ask a matter-of-fact question that leans into the possibility of someone changing their mind in-session, such as, “Do you believe that [topic] has the potential to significantly better our industry?”</p>
<p>Yes/no or multiple-choice questions can have a dramatic payoff, but they run the risk of indicating that the presenter has failed to change anyone’s perspective. Depending on the session, eliciting open-ended responses such as “What word comes to your mind when you think about [topic]?” can be effective. Some polling tools have word cloud generators built in; using these to do a before-and-after word cloud can show how an audience has evolved during the session.</p>

<p><strong>Power Poll Tactic #3: Play With Contrast</strong></p>
<p>Solemn topics may call for solemn poll questions to avoid seeming flippant. But a gently amusing question can also serve as an icebreaker—not to get attendees to mingle with each other, but to get attendees to engage more deeply with a topic. In fact, it can help the audience weather any stresses that might arise as a result of a sensitive topic: A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8012602/">2021 study</a> showed that humor lessened levels of the stress hormone cortisol when study participants were faced with a stressful task.</p>
<p>Ideally, a humorous poll question adds both levity and meaning. But if that bar is too high, a playful question with only tangential relevance to the session can still relax attendees. A session on developments for auto safety might, for example, begin by asking a trivia question about a well-known road-trip movie; a presentation about cybersecurity might begin by asking people to vote on what they think is the most commonly used password (<a target="_blank" href="https://nordpass.com/most-common-passwords-list/">it’s 123456</a>, for the record).</p>
<p>Asking questions during a session is more than an engagement gimmick. It can give presenters valuable information that they’ll carry into their future research, help anchor the session, and create a unified experience. And if your presenters are still having trouble getting on board, remind them that <a target="_blank" href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-18566-001">asking questions makes people appear more likable</a>. Who doesn’t want that?&nbsp;</p>

Level Up Your In-Session Polls, Level Up Your Session.

Survey Says! Three Ways to Add Polling to the Program

<p>Whether planning a gala for a nonprofit or simply adding a charitable aspect to a corporate event, meeting planners know that a good cause can add a sense of mission to a gathering. But just because there’s an altruistic aim doesn’t mean that planners can overlook one of the tenets of their work: delighting attendees.</p>
<p>In fact, one of the findings of <a target="_blank" href="https://news.marriott.com/news/2023/06/05/marriott-international-pcma-and-cema-release-guiding-principles-in-experience-design-findings-at-the-exchange-association-masters">the joint study from PCMA, CEMA, and Marriott International</a> was that successful meetings lean into “the power of play. ” The idea is that by tapping into playfulness, meeting planners create new avenues for ideation and collaboration. While this has its most obvious benefits in meetings focused on innovation, meetings with a philanthropic bent are similarly enhanced—and made more memorable—by play.</p>
<p>Here are five tactics to balance philanthropy and play in your next charity-oriented meeting.</p>

<h2><strong>Create a Place of Play (Metaphorically)</strong></h2>
<p>If your cause has a physical component, give it some context by bringing it to the event. And if literally bringing it to the event isn’t possible, all the more invitation for you to get creative.</p>
<p>At <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/483/hosting-sustainable-events-while-supporting-local-culture-and-communities">Marriott’s The Exchange Australia event in 2023</a>, planners built an interactive zone featuring lush greenery in which participants could donate a tree to be planted in the host country. In the same vein, the Robin Hood Foundation, which aims to eradicate poverty in New York City, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/production-strategy/event-production-fabrication/media-gallery/22862447/robin-hood-benefit-2023">created a candy-themed version of the city for its 2023 gala</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>What made both events particularly engaging: a sense of place. As the PCMA report notes, “Creating dedicated spaces that are flexible and without too many rules will encourage play.”</p>

<h2><strong>Involve the Beneficiaries</strong></h2>
<p>If your mission is humanitarian in nature, ask the people who are benefiting what they’d like their supporters to know about playfulness. For example, an event benefiting refugees could feature an interactive opportunity for attendees to sample from cuisines of the part of the world the beneficiaries are from; a gala for people with disabilities could showcase performances or art created by people in the community.</p>
<p>If you’re drawing talent from your pool of beneficiaries, consult them at every step to make sure they’re comfortable with how they’re being presented to attendees and represented in marketing materials.</p>

<h2><strong>Find Creative Partners</strong></h2>
<p>Take inspiration from the stars: The Elton John AIDS Foundation is known for its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/event/31st-academy-awards-viewing-party/">annual Academy Awards viewing party</a>, which brings a high turnout along with attention and donations to the organization’s mission.</p>
<p>But you don’t have to bring in A-list celebrities to give your fundraising a little glitz. When a Native American youth center in Minneapolis was rendered unusable because of a fire, the organization, MIGIZI, <a target="_blank" href="https://associationsnow.com/2020/11/four-ways-organizations-getting-creative-fundraising/">partnered</a> with the creators of cult favorite TV show <em>Mystery Science Theater 3000</em>. The joint fundraiser benefited MIGIZI while also raising funds to create two new episodes of the long-gone show.</p>
<p>That fundraiser was virtual, but the principle applies to events, too: Working with an entity that brings a spritz of glamour ushers in new attention to your work, and can make for a particularly creative event.</p>

<h2><strong>Gamify It</strong></h2>
<p>There’s a reason fundraising leaderboards are ever-present at charity events: As much as a gathering is about collaboration, a little competition is always fun.</p>
<p>That’s something Second Harvest, a food rescue organization in Toronto, learned when it hosted a “Cake or Fake?” challenge as one of its offerings for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bizbash.com/production-strategy/event-production-fabrication/media-gallery/22578520/top-benefit-galas-for-2022">the 2022 rendition of its annual fundraising event</a>. Chefs crafted cakes designed to look like non-cake items (a loaf of bread, a jar of maple syrup), and guests guessed whether the item was real or made from cake.</p>

<h2><strong>Pick a Theme, Then Play With It</strong></h2>
<p>If your event is an annual or otherwise recurring event, you have an opportunity to build anticipation throughout the year by having a signature theme that varies from year to year.</p>
<p>Take it from the success of the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon, an annual fundraiser for the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Since its inception, the gala has encouraged attendees to don fantastic hats. Each year, the specific theme changes, giving attendees an opportunity to flaunt their finest; the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.papercitymag.com/society/the-seen/mad-hatters-luncheon-2023-arboretum/">2023 theme was “English elegance,”</a> resulting in a crop of fascinators and outlandish garden scenes atop guests’ heads.</p>
<p>Another example from D-Town: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2023/april/life-jackets/">DIFFA Dallas’ annual jackets auction</a>. Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS has a natural tie-in to a fashion theme; the Dallas event sees designers creating custom jackets that are then auctioned off. Even for attendees who don’t plan to bid, the anticipation built throughout the year about the jackets ensures a high attendance rate.</p>
<p>Solemnity has its place at charitable events, of course. But tapping into the power of play can be another way to underscore the importance—and the humanity—of your event.</p>

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