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E V E N TP R E D I C T I O N S

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your online ticketing partner

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##Introduction

Keep up with the times to dazzle your audience in 2016

We’ve all been there. The lame decor, the out-dated venue and

the theme that is just so 2013. Whether you’re planning a corporate event, a social function or a fundraiser, the last thing you want to do is underwhelm your attendees with an event that falls short of their expectations.

A less than optimum event experience will reflect poorly on your brand and your reputation.

On the other hand, an event that’s a raging success will increase the likelihood that people will want to attend your next event and that they will rave about it to their friends. An event that’s memorable for the right reasons will boost engagement and build relationships between your

brand and those attending. A great event will pay dividends in the future.

Trends in technology and digital integration mean that peoples’ expectations are continually changing when they attend an event. If you want to knock your event out of the park you will need to make sure you meet and exceed your participants’ expectations. In 2016 those expectations are likely to be different than they were in 2015 or in any year before.

At Sticky Tickets we want to help you make your next event a raging success. Keep up with the times and ensure that your next event really dazzles your audience by taking note of our event predictions for 2016.

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#1Variety will be thespice of life

In 2015 we started to see more and more venues adopting a multiple location

approach. Instead of putting everyone in one room, many events now offer a variation of different locations within the same space. Doing this lets attendees go between them for a broader range of experiences. A simple way to do this is to split between a formal and a less formal setting to cater to different tastes and moods.

It’s also likely that in 2016 we will see more events that are run as a single event in multiple venues and locations. The power of technology lets people connect in a way they couldn’t just a few years ago and this means it’s now possible to provide an integrated experience for everyone - even if they are thousands of kilometres apart.

Multi-venue events let people choose the location that best suits them while still engaging in a shared experience.

Our top tips for setting up a multi venue event:

Whether you are using a single venue with multiple areas within the venue or arranging an Australia wide event, make sure you offer a variety of spaces that will cater to the different tastes and preferences of your target attendees.

There is some fantastic technology around that can connect your venues and allow for live streaming to a central screen or even your attendees phones or tablets so you can make sure everyone is involved.

It can be even harder to co-ordinate ticket sales and attendees at multiple venues so a good ticketing service is essential. Sticky Tickets lets you handle all the transactions with the added benefit of easy marketing and follow up.

2. Use the latest

technology

1. Choose the right venue

3. Use a reliable

ticketing service

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#2Experiences rather than events

A few years ago most events were created with the goal of marketing or pitching to a captive audience. You might have offered a few perks to sweeten the deal but overall nobody was under any illusions as to the main purpose of the event.

Taking that approach in 2016 is more likely to result in a disgruntled audience than a sale. Changes in cultural trends and consumer expectations mean that people react far more positively to genuine experiences that are of value to them than to a poorly disguised sales pitch.

When you’re creating an event, it pays to think of it as more than just a venue and entertainment and focus on creating an

experience your attendees will remember long into the future. Consumers these days really value learning something, being entertained or meeting and networking for the benefit of their business.

In 2016 the experience shouldn’t end after the final guest has left. For maximum effectiveness, the experience should continue post-event, allowing people to relive the best moments and recapture the feeling of the event.

This will keep it fresh in their minds long after the event itself is over.

Continuing the experience

after the event

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#2Email is a fantastic way to keep in touch with attendees after an event. It’s relatively inexpensive and there are plenty of creative ways you can use it to your advantage. Here are three suggestions:

• Provide something of value relating to the event. Additional materials, notes from speakers or a recording of the after party can be a great way to help people relive the experience while offering something of use.

• Send them a discount or coupon for the next event. Email follow-ups are a fantastic way to sneak in a quick bit of promotion for your next event. Offer previous attendees access to a presale, a discount coupon or another incentive and you may be able to fill up plenty of seats without even having to advertise.

• Encourage feedback and interaction. Ask your attendees to tell you their best story from the event, or share something they learned. They can then post the updates on social media.

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#3Engagement will be crucial

Traditionally most corporate events have focused on the idea of the

audience as passive spectators, but in 2016 this will increasingly be replaced by a more interactive experience.

When you’re trying to build an emotional connection with an audience, it’s more effective to take an interactive immersive approach than simply showing them something. Interaction can help you build an emotional connection between your brand and consumers. This emotional connection is crucial for ongoing loyalty and repeat attendance.

When your attendees can actually participate and interact with your brand at an event, it will bring about a whole new level of engagement for them. In 2016, more and more brands have started taking this approach. This has led to expectations from attendees that they will be able to engage with events in a range of different ways.

If you’re thinking this all sounds too complicated, you’ll be glad to hear there is plenty of technology available to help you create an immersive or interactive experience for participants. Here are three of our favourites.

These are a relatively new type of technology that let your event attendees interact with your brand in a whole number of different ways. Using the wristbands they can access different attractions at your event, pay for merchandise or products, enter competitions and much more.

This can be a very straightforward way to encourage engagement and interaction among your attendees. You may want to consider setting up a photo booth where attendees can take photos of themselves to post on Instagram or Twitter.

Mobile phone apps allow your attendees to interact and experience your event in a very personal way through their devices. Apps and other integrated technology let your attendees live stream and access materials from the event on their phones, they also make it easy for people to interact about your event on social media.

1. Interactive wristbands

2. Social media

3. Create an app

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#4Technology will become an integral part of every event

Technology is already firmly ingrained in most of our lives thanks to

smartphones, the Internet and newer developments like wearable tech. While technology is already being used up to a certain point in most events, in 2016 we are going to see this amp up to a whole new level.

Many new technologies are well suited to events and failing to make use of them could actually leave your brand at a disadvantage. It’s important that you meet consumer expectations by showing that you are up to date with the latest technology. Making use of technology is also a good way to demonstrate that your business is savvy and forward thinking.

Wi-Fi used to be an optional extra, but now it is absolutely mandatory at any event. Free Wi-Fi is not only expected by your attendees, it’s a great way to

encourage interaction between your event participants. Wi-Fi access also makes it easy for people to tweet and post about your event in real time, thereby generating more of a buzz around it.

Another technological feature that is becoming mandatory at events is second screen technology. This gives presenters the means to push content to any device in real time. Content can include video, slides, notes and social media links. By sending notes and additional content to participants’ smartphones and tablets in real time you can increase engagement and provide an enhanced learning experience.

Providing an enhanced experience using technology is a great way to really wow your attendees and improve engagement and it’s not as difficult as you might think it is.

Live stream &

second screens

Offer free Wi-Fi

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#5Virtual reality and augmented reality will become mainstream

There has been a lot of hype lately about virtual reality and immersive

technologies, but in 2016 they will become more than just a futuristic idea and their potential will be harnessed by brands everywhere.

Events are one of the most obvious applications for these technologies as virtual reality can enhance the learning experience in a range of ways. Anything that can be shown on paper or a screen can be demonstrated in far more clarity using immersive technologies.

Imagine the difference between getting a brochure about an exotic holiday destination and taking a walk around it through virtual reality. Or seeing plans for a proposed apartment block

compared to taking an immersive tour where you can wander through the rooms and experience it for yourself. This is something we are going to see more frequently at corporate events and it is an incredible form of engagement.

How powerful would it be for your brand if you could supply a virtual experience of your products for potential customers, or immerse them in your brand completely?

Think how much more memorable the experience would be for them and how much more connected they would feel to you.

What if you could create

a virtual experience?

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#6Smart and intelligent technology will beat the competition

Technology is getting smarter every year and with the Internet of Things

becoming ever more pervasive we’re going to see an explosion of smart devices that can connect and transfer data without the need for human intervention.

There are already plenty of smart devices other than phones. Many of these are making a regular appearance at events, and the range of wearable and smart tech being used for events is only going to increase in 2016. This smart technology includes badges, watches and bracelets or wristbands.

Smart devices can be used to improve engagement and interaction and give participants the convenience of being able to access materials and other event features without the need to dig around for their phone.

Smart technology can be used by participants to gain access to events and

locations, order products and download bonus materials and content.

Whether it’s your first event or your 50th, you can gain valuable feedback from attendees using the data gathered from smart devices and technology.

Wearable tech and smart devices make it easier than ever to gather data about your attendees’ behaviour and movements, to monitor social media engagement and gather results from mobile phone surveys. This information can be compiled more or less instantly and used to provide insight about your customers for future events and marketing.

Whatever your views on smart technology might be, one thing is a certainty: if you’re not making use of intelligence and smart technology for your events you can be sure your competitors are.

Event intelligence

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##Conclusion

We wish you every success with your next event!

Hopefully this e-book has given you some creative and innovative ideas

to make your events go with a swing in 2016.

Whatever type of event you have planned, our tips are designed to open your eyes

to some of the possibilities on offer and make your event truly engaging and memorable.

For more ideas or to find out how Sticky Tickets can help you plan and execute your next event please contact us today.

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119 Willoughby RdCrows Nest NSW 2065

PH:(02) 8766 0660

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (AEST)

WWW.STICKYTICKETS.COM.AU

your online ticketing partner