Building community at our events can drive loyalty retention as well as boost acquisition of new attendees. But organizers and their partners must also focus on the functionality of what occurs inside those community spaces surrounding their meeting rooms and exhibit halls.
At the recent IAVM VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show, Dana Freker Doody broke down the activities in community spaces into five areas.
Networking or Building Connections – comfortable surroundings where people can sit and chat.
Photos: (above) Vancouver Convention Centre in partnership with Steelcase Event Experiences
(below) Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio
Re-Energizing or Synthesizing – places to reflect and be by yourself. Introverts unite!
Photos: (above) Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio (below) Workspring
Education or Idea-Sharing – short informal bursts of education.
Photos: (above) The Expo Group/USGIF (below) Vancouver Convention Centre in partnership with Steelcase Event Experiences
Recharging and Updating Social Media – provides the ability to physically charge your mobile device and check social media.
Photos (above) The Expo Group/USGIF (below) The Expo Group
Working Out Of Office- keeping those office-minded attendees at the venue and not isolated in their hotel room.
Photos (above and below) Vancouver Convention Centre in partnership with Steelcase Event Experiences
