On October 30, the Event Innovation Forum will return to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center as part of the BizBash IdeaFest New York. Much like the inaugural run last year, the conference is designed to showcase the ideas and strategies of thought leaders via a single track of quick sessions. The forum is being curated by BizBash and the Event Leadership Institute, and will cover an array of topics relevant to event and meeting professionals—from the power of superfans and creating authentic celebrity experiences to how to rethink meetings and use new audiovisual technologies.
Among the speakers are Jeff Boedges, the co-owner of event agency SoHo Experiential, who will share what he has learned about creating consumer advocates through work such as the Remy Martin "Ringleaders" program; former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, who will discuss his experience with events as well as how celebrity bookings have changed; Bloomberg Link's Holly Doran, who talk about how she makes the company's meetings more productive and visually unique; and Richard Steinau from AV Concepts, who will detail how holographic projections—like the infamous one of dead rapper Tupac Shakur at Coachella last year–can be integrated into events and meetings.
More details about the sessions are below; attendees can register for the forum here.
The Rise of the Superfan in Event Marketing
Jeff Boedges, co-owner, SoHo Experiential
When it comes to brand advocacy today, superfans are the new secret weapon. Smart marketers are tuning into what their most active, engaged consumers are doing, and they’re finding ways to leverage the relationship as a promotional tool. In this session, Jeff Boedges from New York’s SoHo Experiential will discuss how to identify, recruit, and inspire local key influencers that planners can’t afford to ignore, plus examine best practices from the agency's programs developed for its roster of international clients including Rémy Martin, the Macallan, and Bravo.
Getting More Out of Your Speakers and Creating an Authentic Celebrity Experience
Tiki Barber, co-founder, Thuzio
Having a celebrity speaker talk from the podium is a thing of the past. Today's audiences want more engaging, interactive, and unique experiences at their events, and creative planners are responding. In this session, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber will share how the landscape of celebrity bookings has changed. From bringing in local sports heroes for a sales team's ping-pong battle, to arranging for out-of-town clients to play golf with their local childhood hero, Barber will share the story of how he started Thuzio, lessons he's learned at events, and the new ways to engage celebrities to create authentic event experiences.
5 Innovative Ways to Shake Up Your Meetings
Holly Doran, head of event operations, Bloomberg Link
Corporate meetings have a reputation for being dull. And meetings held by financial institutions are known for being even less exciting. Unless you work for Bloomberg L.P. Instead of hotel ballrooms, its meetings take place in unexpected venues like the New Museum. Instead of floral centerpieces, attendees take home bowls of live fish. Rather than being isolated in greenrooms, speakers are interacting with guests in open lounges. In this session Holly Doran, head of event operations for Bloomberg Link, the company's executive conference division, will talk about a variety of innovative approaches to make meetings more vibrant, dynamic, and productive.
Holographic Illusions: Incorporating Emerging Technologies in the Boardroom and Ballroom
Richard Steinau, vice president, AV Concepts
Richard Steinau of AV Concepts, the company known for bringing Tupac back to life at Coachella 2012, will share the story behind the iconic hologram appearance and how technology can be used to enhance an event's intended message—without distracting the audience. Steinau will reveal recent projects produced for Fortune 500 companies such as Nike and Dell, detailing how to utilize audio, visual, staging, and immersive technologies to impress attendees, create augmented reality experiences that break sensory barriers, defy spatial limitations, and build buzz that lasts long after the event.
