Why Boring Events Suck (and how to never have one again)

Picture this: you’re sitting in an uncomfortable chair, in an outdated conference room at a hotel that needed a good facelift oh, say 15 years ago (but still hasn’t gotten it). There’s a speaker on stage saying something, but you’re not really sure what, because your mind has been drifting since the beginning of this event. Lunch comes around - some classic rubbery chicken and undercooked veggies - and you’re pretty sure 30% of the room didn’t come back after the break. Two words can summarize this day for you: Snooze. Fest. 

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Listen - we’re not here to knock other events. It’s just that, it’s probably safe to say that we’ve all found ourselves in a similar scenario as what’s described above. Maybe you’ve been an attendee, or perhaps you’ve even been the one planning the event that just didn’t turn out the way you anticipated. 

There is a myriad of reasons why boring events suck, aside from just being boring!

• They don’t keep the attention/focus of attendees
• They aren’t the best use of resources (financial, time, etc) 
• They won’t leave a good impression on the crowd
• They don’t have a good return rate
• They don’t leave people feeling energized and motivated
• They won’t help with team morale or employee retention 
• They won’t leave people saying good things about your organization
• They won’t attract top talent 
• …the list goes on!

And the thing is…at Elevate, we just REALLY (like, really really really) believe that events were never meant to be this way – and they certainly don’t have to be! 

Somewhere along the road, companies and individual event planners alike came under the impression that in order to have a professional, successful event, it had to look a certain way. Feel a certain way. And that “certain way” has unfortunately evolved into rubber chicken and yawning attendees. 

But what if you could walk away from your next event feeling invigorated? What if you could plan something so epic that the entire crowd is energized, refreshed, and engaged like never before? What if you could still accomplish all of the important business that needs to be included in the agenda, and still have fun? 

Did your eyes just open a little wider? Wonder (or doubt) that it’s even remotely possible? 

Good news - it’s most DEFINITELY possible to eliminate the plague, and we’ve set out on a mission to help organizations and event planners do just that! 

If you’re ready to say goodbye to boring events and hello to experiences that leave a positive, lasting impact, the most important thing you can do is put yourself in the shoes of the attendee. 

That’s right, everything starts with seeing things through the eyes of the person who will actually be attending the event. Because that’s who matters most here, right? With this foundational starting point, we always encourage our clients to ask themselves two powerful questions: 

• What do you want attendees to feel when they leave your event?
• What do you want them to remember? 

Your responses to these two questions will serve as the catalyst for all other elements of planning. What are those “other elements” to consider for a not-boring event, you ask? 

Here are a few tried-and-true tips for ensuring that your event is NOT boring: 

• The right people on stage/around the room make all the difference at any great event. This includes having a professional host/emcee who is literally an expert at taking guests through a full event experience and empowering/inviting them to engage in different ways. It also includes the speakers and other ‘people in charge’...even those greeting incoming guests at the door! Let’s just say this: something as simple as a smile at the right time, in the right place, can change the trajectory of an event for the better. Don’t be afraid to invest in the right talent and personalities for your event - it will 100% be worth it.

• Interaction drives engagement, so be sure to include various moments where attendees can actually participate in something vs. just listening to a speaker talk. This could be in the form of games hosted by a professional emcee, or even conversation starters/discussion questions placed at each table for tablemates to talk through with each other. 

While these are just a few of many recommendations, there are a TON of ways to ensure that your next experience is far from boring. Other elements include ensuring that the atmosphere and agenda are in alignment with your brand, the right food & beverage is served, the variety is on point, and so much more. 

To be honest, it really is a lot to think through! That’s why organizations across the country trust Elevate to take the reigns alongside them to create remarkable experiences that people love. Our clients love and appreciate that we think through all of the details so that they don’t have to. 

Sound like something you need? We’d be honored to support you in making sure your next event is one for the ages! Click here to book a call with a member of our team.