Over the past year, industry experts have proclaimed that meetings and conferences are forever changed and hybrid is here to stay. Agreed, says Velvet Chainsaw’s Dave Lutz, but in order to be successful, meetings of the future also will need to embrace the tenets of strategic product management.

In the second half of 2020, many virtual conferences grew attendance, attracting global and non-member participants. Part of this growth — which improves reach and brand for organizers — can be attributed to significantly reduced registration pricing. 

The exhibit revenue model is based on selling real estate — the larger the lot and better the location, the more we can charge our anchor exhibitors. Unfortunately, that doesn’t translate well to the virtual space.

The timing of recovery is going to be dependent on consumers and businesses having confidence that our cities and venues are safe again.

Here are five characteristics that distinguish successful leadership conferences for women from other kinds of events.

When it comes to making your event more attendee-centric, even adding a few inches between chairs can go far.

As conference organizers strive to develop more innovative session formats, headphones are being used more often. What began as a novelty has now evolved into a seemingly essential element in our toolkit — but we should use headphones purposefully and wisely.

Living in Orlando provides me with the opportunity to get event-design inspiration from Disney, Universal, and other entertainment attractions. I also have the chance to go on site at the Orange County Convention Center to observe some of the largest and most innovative conferences in the country. In November, I got to visit one of

You may think you do a good job of preparing your presenters, but there’s a lot at stake. Here are tips to help them do their best and provide the greatest value to your audience.

Until the industry understands the difference between marketing/promotion and sponsorship, we will not significantly increase revenue — or our ability to better connect buyers and sellers, says Velvet Chainsaw Consulting’s Dave Lutz.

If sponsorship revenue is underperforming at your events, you have lots of company. Dave Lutz, of Velvet Chainsaw Consulting, identifies the moves that can turn that around.

We’ll continue to push boundaries — and extend our reach — in San Francisco. I invite you to join us on our journey.