On this episode of the c-suite podcast, we chat to a panel of consultants about how corporations use occasions to showcase merchandise, strengthen partnerships, and generate enterprise alternatives.
In episode 176 of the c-suite podcast, hosts Russell Goldsmith and Graham Barrett delve into occasion advertising and marketing with Miranda McLean, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Banking Circle Group on the time of recording and now CMO of Ecommpay; Adam Burak, Occasions Supervisor at Freemarket; and Emma Duncan, UKI Occasions Chief at IBM on the time of recording and now Head of Advertising at asembl.
They talk about how corporations use occasions to showcase merchandise, strengthen partnerships, and generate enterprise alternatives.
Choosing Occasions and Methods
Emma Duncan highlights the significance of aligning occasions with an organization’s total advertising and marketing technique and shopper journey.
IBM evaluates potential occasions primarily based on:
- Enterprise Outcomes: Figuring out whether or not the occasion goals to spice up particular gross sales or improve common consciousness.
- Message Alignment: Guaranteeing the occasion’s theme matches the corporate’s key messages.
- Viewers Match: Assessing if the occasion attracts the correct job titles and firms of their goal market.
- Engagement Alternatives: Figuring out alternatives for storytelling and viewers engagement.
- Information Seize: Guaranteeing the power to gather actionable information for post-event follow-ups.
These standards assist corporations resolve on the combo of occasions to attend, comparable to multi-sponsor occasions for shopper acquisition and proprietary occasions for nurturing present relationships.
Case Research: Banking Circle Group and Freemarket
Miranda McLean discusses Banking Circle Group’s occasion advertising and marketing evolution. Initially launched at an occasion in 2015, the corporate now focuses on face-to-face buyer interactions and lead era. Their built-in advertising and marketing marketing campaign consists of pre-event advertising and marketing, touchdown pages, participation in key periods, and social media updates.
Viewing occasions as partnerships, they work intently with convention producers to maximise visibility.
Adam Burak from Freemarket emphasizes their deal with model consciousness and gross sales by occasion participation. Regardless of an extended gross sales cycle, attending the correct occasions and being an energetic sponsor is essential.
Freemarket’s objective at occasions is to construct relationships that result in future enterprise alternatives.
Constructing Presence and Managing Occasion Sponsorships
Constructing a powerful presence at occasions requires understanding the audience and interplay objectives, balanced with funds issues. Miranda advises corporations to judge potential occasions by sending delegates first to evaluate worth earlier than committing to sponsorships. This cautious method ensures that the corporate invests in occasions offering the perfect return on funding.
Increased-level sponsorships improve model visibility and create associations of success and credibility. Being a five-star sponsor can considerably enhance an organization’s visibility and fame, though it’s important to evaluate whether or not the extra funding aligns with the corporate’s objectives and funds.
Occasion producers provide a variety of sponsorship packages to cater to completely different wants and budgets. Corporations ought to talk their aims clearly to occasion organizers to barter packages offering most worth. This ensures each sponsors and occasion producers profit from the partnership.
Funds Allocation for Occasions
Adam reveals that Freemarket allocates 60% of their advertising and marketing funds to occasions, highlighting their significance. This vital funding underscores the worth occasions carry to their total advertising and marketing technique.
Miranda references a survey indicating that 39% of respondents spend 10%-25% of their funds on occasions, whereas 35% allocate 25%-50%. This variation displays the completely different roles occasions play in advertising and marketing methods throughout industries.
Stand Design and Sustainability
Designing impactful and sustainable exhibition stands is essential. Miranda works with We Are Pi, a B Corp targeted on sustainability, to create stands which can be visually interesting and environmentally pleasant. The design course of begins six to 9 months earlier than the occasion, permitting ample time for planning and execution.
The staff focuses on making a clear, impactful design that aligns with the model and stands out in a crowded exhibition corridor.
Emma emphasizes the significance of clear messaging structure, guaranteeing that each component of the stand helps the corporate’s story. Sustainability is a key consideration, with efforts to make use of recyclable supplies and donate gadgets to charity when doable.
The Position of Podcasts at Occasions
The c-suite podcast enhances occasion experiences. Adam notes the advantages of getting the partnered with the c-suite podcast at FinTech Join, together with elevated traction, model consciousness, and fascinating conversations with keynote audio system.
The podcast provides worth by creating further content material and offering a platform for thought management.
Miranda shares comparable optimistic outcomes from occasions like Money20/20, the place the c-suite podcast drew senior executives to their stand and generated useful content material and social media publicity. The podcast helps create a buzz across the stand, attracting attendees and producing discussions that proceed past the occasion.
Information Seize and Measuring Success
Capturing information at occasions is crucial for efficient follow-ups, compliant with GDPR rules. Success metrics differ: Adam focuses on the standard of engagements and changing them to leads. This private method is more practical than relying solely on digital advertising and marketing techniques.
Emma and Miranda emphasize pre-planning, organising conferences, and high quality engagements that result in excessive conversion charges.
For IBM, measuring success includes evaluating deliberate interactions with precise numbers and assessing the standard of these interactions. In addition they monitor the conversion charge from results in alternatives and the downstream impression on gross sales.
Sustainability in Occasion Planning
Sustainability is more and more essential in occasion planning. Efforts to cut back environmental impression, just like the ILA framework and B-Corp standing, have gotten extra prevalent. Occasion organizers are conscious of the necessity to decrease waste and cut back carbon footprints, providing choices like recyclable supplies and eco-friendly setups.
Conclusion
Occasion advertising and marketing is a robust instrument for constructing model consciousness, producing leads, and driving gross sales. By creating memorable, partaking experiences, corporations can depart an enduring impression on attendees, fostering long-term loyalty and advocacy.
For companies trying to improve their occasion advertising and marketing methods, cautious planning, strategic occasion choice, and a deal with sustainability and engagement are key to success.
The insights from Miranda McLean, Adam Burak, and Emma Duncan underscore the significance of a holistic method to occasion advertising and marketing.
By aligning occasions with total advertising and marketing methods, specializing in clear messaging, and prioritizing sustainability, corporations can maximize their impression and obtain their enterprise objectives.
For extra insights and data on occasion podcast choices, go to Audere Communications.