Showing appreciation can be tricky these days. Lavish items might not feel appropriate in today’s cost-conscious climate—or get approved by the budget-watchers—but a handwritten note may not be a large enough show of thanks for a keynote speaker or M.C. Here are some memorable ways to show gratitude that strike the right chord.
To thank presenters for participating in Toronto’s ideaCity, a conference that bills itself as “Canada’s premier meeting of the minds,” conference manager Allison Munro sends them a set of DVDs documenting the gathering. “It’s a great reminder of the event and allows them to revisit their favorite parts,” she says. “Many presenters would ask for a copy of their presentation anyway, so it makes us as organizers seem really on the ball.”
Giving speakers time to network can be a gift in itself. Held in New Orleans in February, the Feast is a conference on social innovation produced by All Day Buffet, a New York- and New Orleans-based organization that promotes entrepreneurship and philanthropic projects. Michael Karnjanaprakorn, a cofounder, held a dinner where speakers and other V.I.P.s could mingle with notable New Orleans residents. “A lot of things have evolved out of this interaction, including new relationships, ideas, and projects,” he says. “[They] loved the fact that they could visit another city and automatically get looped into the community.”
Small, unexpected niceties can go a long way. Jessica Welch, senior manager of events and sponsorships for the Alexandria, Virginia-based Health Industry Distributors Association, oversees the organization’s annual three-day MedSurg Conference and Expo with seminars led by health-care professionals. “We include specific concessions into our contracts with hotels so that we have the ability to upgrade some of our speakers and V.I.P.s and send them an amenity—usually a cheese plate and bottle of wine, unless we know of something they like specifically,” she says. “For our general session speakers, we make sure they have an upgraded sleeping room and a greenroom before their presentation. We ask ahead of time if there is any sort of snack or beverage they might like.”
Organizers of the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival did away with gift bags in favor of donations this year. “At the SoBe and New York City Wine & Food Festival weekends, we have given extravagant gift bags to all 150 chefs and personalities. At this year’s SoBe, we made the decision to give the same dollars to Daily Bread Food Bank,” says festival founder Lee Schrager. “All of them will receive a letter letting them know about the donation in their honor.”
