6 Amazing Ideas to Bring to Your Next Conference

Recently, I had the opportunity to live-tweet and write blog posts on behalf of the Great Place to Work® For All Summit. But this wasn’t just a conference. It was a life experience.

You can read my reporting coverage here and here, but let’s take a moment to analyze what made this conference so great — and some takeaways that can inspire other conference producers for their next event.

So. Much. Food.

Steak, sashimi, food trucks, a rainbow selection of macaroons, honey lavender lattes, pomegranate tea, customed-made cocktails…I could go on and on. Well, I guess I will. Banh-mi sandwiches, gyros, a pasta bar, donuts. It was like I was reporting from a food conference.

An educational swag bag

A stylish, recyclable tote that had two books (“Anti-Racist Leadership: How to Transform Corporate Culture in a Race-Conscious World” by James D. White and “You’ve Been Chosen: Thriving Through the Unexpected” by Cynt Marshall) where the authors not only talked about their books during on stage, but signed copies afterward.

Clear, eye-catching signage

Walking into the hotel, there were big, bold signs that made the whole hotel feel like it was branded by Great Place to Work. This signage was so beautiful, people were taking selfies in front of it. Even the hotel room key had the Great Place to Work logo.

Warning signs were posted in front of rooms that used strobe lights, for those that are visually impaired. COVID-19 safety reminder signs were scattered throughout the conference hall. Signage may seem simple, but it went a long way to making you feel like you were part of a big event.

Puppies — need I say more?

Sponsored by Synchrony, they put on one of the best vendor booths I’ve ever seen: A booth filled with puppies. You might be wondering: Why is a financial services company doing this? Answer: They offer pet insurance to their employees.

They took the sponsorship a step further and sponsored an evening called, Puppies & Prosecco. According to attendee Elizabeth Eldridge, certified psychological health and safety advisor, this was the best thing she’s ever seen at a conference, too.

“As a true dog lover, I can fully appreciate the culture impact of a pet-friendly work environment,” Eldridge says. “Puppies & Prosecco brought this concept to life! It was a highlight for many attendees and something I’ve told all my friends and co-workers about.”

Clear communication about COVID-19

One morning, we got an email from the Great Place to Work team, notifying us that an attendee tested positive for COVID-19. Here’s what I liked about this email: it was calm, informative and gave attendees clear steps on what they could do next.

 A snippet:

Your health and safety are a top priority. As such, we wanted to inform you that an onsite attendee at the Summit has reported testing positive for COVID-19.

Out of an abundance of caution, we have a number of Rapid Antigen COVID Tests available for your use, in addition to KN95 masks you were provided in your welcome tote bags. Please pick one up at registration if you’d like one, and take any other precautions that you believe are appropriate to prevent further transmission. If you have further concerns or wish to discuss a symptom, you can visit our First Aid room, staffed by a registered nurse. Just visit the Registration desk for directions and instructions.

Going beyond case studies

Most sessions started with presenters telling personal stories about their lives — versus just listing off facts about the companies they worked for. By making the tone of content more personal, attendees felt like they could get more out of the sessions.

"I loved the energy in my break-out sessions,” says Liesel Mindrebo Mertes, workplace empathy consultant. “Participants came willing to learn and to share. There were tears shed and hugs given. A group of women told me afterward, 'We came in as strangers and left as friends.'"

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