Forward Thinking

Risk and Recovery Concerns of Event Organizers and Suppliers

As organizers work through pre-pandemic contractual commitments, they are finding their supply-chain relationships tested like never before.

BY Dave Lutz, CMP March 26, 2021

Beyond Hybrid: Repackaging Your Conference Content

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.

BY Dave Lutz, CMP January 25, 2021

Virtual Events: 4 Ways to Raise the Bar

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. 

BY Dave Lutz, CMP November 12, 2020

Why Expos Don’t Convert Well to Virtual

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.

BY Dave Lutz, CMP August 31, 2020

Recovery Realities: How the Business Events Industry Will Move Forward After COVID-19

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

BY Dave Lutz, CMP April 2, 2020

How Are Women’s Conferences Different?

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

BY Dave Lutz, CMP March 31, 2020

When Working Out Conference Room Sets, Sweat the Small Stuff

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

BY Dave Lutz, CMP March 1, 2020

When to Use — and Not Use — Headphones for Open-Space Learning

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.

BY Dave Lutz, CMP January 30, 2020

Four Takeaways From a Major Tech Conference

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

BY Dave Lutz, CMP January 2, 2020

Prepping Industry Speakers for Your Events

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.

BY Dave Lutz, CMP November 25, 2019

Here’s What Event Sponsorship is — and What it’s Not

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.

BY Dave Lutz, CMP November 22, 2019

Tips for Developing Bespoke Sponsor Packages

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.

BY Dave Lutz, CMP September 24, 2019

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