What I Took Away from the 2011 Idea Factory
I am always hesitant to leave the office for a period of time. You have to try to anticipate what may happen while you’re gone, and what will be waiting for you when you return.
In an “event-world” where time is indeed money, and a variety of conferences, conventions and expos are vying for your attention, this year’s Event Solutions Idea Factory proved to be a unique and rejuvenating educational avenue, idea driver and networking tool for event pros like myself. Here are some ideas and concepts I took away from the event, and was able to put into practice as soon as I returned to the office.
Every company should be more personal, especially when it comes to marketing. Simply put, we are in a people industry that revolves around the celebration of and for people. I was inspired to reground my company’s foundation in what we are truly about – people – and to be more personal with our approach from the initial touch. The current technical age can easily be a distraction. Bring back people as your foundation and let your personal story be known along the way. (Your story could very well garner additional publicity and catapult your company to greater success.)
Help each other. At this year’s Idea Factory, refreshing new ideas came alive and were freely shared in an effort to make the industry more viable. I heard a great analogy on competition: Be like an Olympic runner, concentrating on running forward as a leader, ignoring the temptation to worry about the other runners on either side, which just presents an opportunity to stumble.
MGM/Mirage Events. With a genuinely warm staff and a magnificent industrial setting, this warehouse tour was converted into a fine tea party event! These creative individuals shared their mindset with their peers about how they do ALL that they do. Their ideas, from basic creative concept, inventory control, prop construction and creative design, went back to our company and took me hours to share with my staff.
I would be remiss to not mention Las Vegas itself. With so much to see and so many creative ideas around every corner, it would be impossible not to take a pocketful of concepts back to the office. Simply open your creative mind and look around!
Upon arriving back at the office to find everything just fine, I learned one more thing: I guess I can take some time away and recharge. And yes, the 2012 conference is already on my calendar!
Steven Craig
Creative Events