How to organise meetings that Rock
Like the joy of producing the main tones also meetings are one of the most universal human needs. If for the music we like to say that it is a universal language, meetings are at its side since prehistoric times.
Music has unimaginable power of connecting people. In us it arouses deep emotions that are a prerequisite for connecting. Originally, it was in the function of rituals that today in addition to the original functions are taken by the various events.
It is the easiest to illustrate this thinking with the organisation of the congress trade show Conventa, in which I have been directly involved from the outset. After this year’s Conventa we have received a record number of acknowledgments from all sides. Self-critically with the team we are wondering what was a turning point, since we ourselves are seeing a whole series of mistakes and challenges for the future.
The universality of the language of events occurs when through an event you manage to create certain emotions and moods and bring them together in an inseparable whole. Then the event becomes unifying and fulfils its mission as a starting point for getting to know other people. Personally, I sincerely believe in the universality of the language of meetings, which needs no translation and is a reflection of the universal position in the society, time and space.
I am in favour of events that are by nature friendly and witty, and are spreading life optimism and human warmth. Conventa is simple, heart full, warm and attractive. That is why the event also changes each year, it is upgraded with new surprises. Since all the participants are different, the challenge is that much harder because each participant in its own way perceives and accepts the frequency of the event and has a built-in own critic.
The path to such a situation is not easy. Events also need a very solid skeleton for good composition of the event. It is virtually impossible to copy it, the only option is the hard work that leads to the highest level of universality of a conference when you with project team of ‘musicians’ can afford some jazz improvisation. Each event is subject to certain rules that need to be learned as a craftsman. In order to implement the best congress trade show Conventa we needed six years of practice. Even in improvisation you have to have in your head the whole structure of the event, so that you know where the improvisation will lead.
Even when you are getting obstacles under your feet, on the stage everyone needs to work together like also disputed Rolling Stones on stage are acting like best friends and professionals. For the best sound of the event all participating are responsible, it is necessary to freeze the ego in the refrigerator. If the team that leads the event has no common vision, if not everyone is for it, then it is better to not at all organise the event. Forcibly one can not make the best events.
The teams I work with are perfect congress bands with great mutual energy, which this year also jumped to the participants. We still love what we are doing and we work with the heart. If you want to be creating something for a long time, you have to be in love with what you are doing and even a little crazy. The audience sees and feels everything and ultimately rewards you or punishes you!
Case study: CONVENTA 2014
CONVENTA trade show is based on experience, on a personal relationship with exhibitors and hosted buyers. Moreover it is the development focus on the junction of regions. To meeting planners it unveils new and unfamiliar congress destinations and supports them in their development. Conventa tells great congress stories of the region. In the six years of its existence it has become an example of public-private partnership and the largest professional event for business and congress tourism and for event organisers in the South-East Europe. From a small local trade show Conventa in a few years has developed into a strong brand and a business model, which is copied in many places in Europe.
Conventa will be returning to Ljubljana next year, when the congress floor will be hot again between 21st and 22nd January 2015.
Watch CONVENTA/KONGRES TV:
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