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How to Wow a Crowd – Through the Unexpected and Moments that Matter

By: Roe Maracich

01/21/2020

With over 20 years’ experience in corporate events, Roe is dedicated to building client relationships. She is one of glue’s Senior Producers. a detail-oriented individual who continually strives to develop new ideas to exceed expectations to deliver unforgettable experiences. Roe always stays true to the vision, keeps everyone on track – to ensure that the magic unfolds according to plan!

How do you produce a one-of-a-kind experience for your clients? 
The creative process begins with learning about each clients’ unique needs and desires and then setting a plan in motion. Having a clear understanding of their goals will allow you to develop a smart strategy and select the right partners and vendors to successfully execute the project.  

What things do you consider or look at to design/create/showcase something in a new way?  With ever-changing technology, staying ahead of trends is important. There is always a new product on the market and being able to offer fresh options to my clients is incredibly important.  Utilizing a skilled knowledge base, investing time in research, and most importantly testing new products will enable you to find solutions to fit both your needs and budget. 

What are the most important steps in pulling off surprise moments?

  • Anticipating the needs of your guests
  • Timing is everything: understanding when the moment will be most impactful and not generate an unwelcome disruption 
  • Knowing your audience: deliver experiences that are right for the target audience

What do you need to do to be able to create moments that matter to produce an experience that they won’t soon forget?

Choosing the right location is key and understanding that first impressions are everything.  Whatever you can do to “wow” guests from the moment they walk into the venue will stay with them. Staffing appropriately is crucial for quick and efficient check-in processes, as well as for providing guidance and support throughout the event as needed. 

Why are surprise and delight moments important?

Surprise and delight moments give the ability to improve guests’ experience in ways they didn’t even know they were looking for! When guests take part in an activity that’s fun, exciting and out of the ordinary, memories are created through the unanticipated. Given the power of social media, surprise and delight moments provide an opportunity for guests to share photos & comments about the experience and event, and in turn, further engaging with the clients’ brand.

If you could do only one thing for every event what would it be?  
Having the opportunity to be involved in the venue selection process, since often the venue naturally dictates much of the overall look and feel of the event without having to spend additional scenic budget $’s to create the environment you’re striving to achieve.  

7 tips on to wow audiences in 2020?

  1. Create a custom Snapchat geofilter guests can apply to their smartphone photos and share to their social media contacts in real-time
  2. Wearable technology (i.e. smart badges, wristbands, smartwatches): Wearables collect data passively throughout the event, without distractions or concern over participation rates.  Standard event apps require attendees to actively decide to use them – badges require QR code scanning; wearables collect data in real-time through participation in the activities themselves.  In turn, attendees are more focused instead of looking at their smartphones to interact with an app where the chance of distraction is high.
  3. Incorporate AR technology
  4. Hire celebrities, influencers or entertainment
  5. Add a level of gamification
  6. Create centralized crowd-sourcing stories and hashtags for social media sharing of photos and videos
  7. Use canape spoons for passed appetizers and desserts – Spoons offer the functionality of having the utensil built into the presentation and reduce the use of single-use dishes and utensils.