Our words matter. We often use them at our events or in our teams to communicate ideas, convey passion, express creativity, articulate intelligence, radiate confidence and exude wit. But choose the wrong ones, and you’ll become the insensitive event staff or coworker.  

Assuming you don’t want to be that person, let’s explore some commonly used words at trade shows and conferences, or phrases that are either past their expiration, culturally appropriated or downright offensive, and what you can say instead to demonstrate your intellect, wit and inclusivity!  

As the leader of an event and experiential marketing agency, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was one of, if not the, most challenging time for myself and our business—not only because we had to rethink our industry’s entire model of in-person events, but also because I had to make some incredibly difficult decisions regarding our employees. Namely, we faced the unfortunate reality that we needed to downsize and furlough a number of our team.

Today’s event attendees are less driven by product than they are by purpose. For instance, 85% of people around the world are making more sustainable purchases. As a result, 83% of organizations are taking sustainability into account when planning events.

Let’s play a game. Close your eyes. I am going to say a word. Tell me the first thing that pops into your head. "Inclusivity." Go! 

We create 2.5 quintillion bytes of data globally—every single day. In this digital age, data is currency, with stored data growing five times faster than the world economy. As information changes hands faster than ever, event organizers must prioritize data security and legal compliance. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the event industry has seen a complete 180 in operations, with in-person events being forced to move to virtual in response to safety protocols. And now, hybrid events are catching on as a way to provide the best of both worlds. With these changes, event managers are turning to new tools and event software to ease the often quick transition and offer the best overall experience for their audiences. 

Event organizers are taking the sustainability movement more seriously than ever before. That decision is good business. So is engaging with stakeholders.

In mid-April, the Events Industry Council is expected to release a refresh of its Sustainable Event Standards for the industry. Event organizers should take up the EIC SES, make meaningful changes now and be on the side of right.

As we enter year three of a global pandemic that upends plans from one minute to the next, marketing events remain a highly challenging endeavor. We thought vaccines would bring us back to normal by 2022, but once again, we find ourselves resetting our expectations about event outcomes at this moment. Maybe we won’t see the pre-2020 crowds just yet, but they’re coming, and maybe we do need virtual aspects of our events as much as we value the in-person connections.

When it comes to corporate events, tented outdoor affairs have seen an increase in popularity. In the ever-evolving pandemic area, where clientele may favor space and expansive layouts, tents provide a type of comfort and aesthetic that cannot be found in a typical indoor meeting space, such as a ballroom or banquet hall. Here are a few of the advantages of tented events and ways to utilize tents to host successful, memorable experiences. 

What’s in a brand? Well, a lot of things! More than just a logo, a brand encompasses your message and your reputation. It’s both tangible and intangible. It’s not meant to be finite, but rather to grow as your company grows. To stand the test of time, your brand should be able to evolve, responding to your customers’ needs and thinking ahead to “what’s next?”

The pandemic has pushed a lot of companies to adapt to new circumstances. No doubt it also made some of those companies rethink their brand.