Fundraising

Keeping people’s attention can be difficult, that’s a fact. How many people reading this article will actually finish it? It would be a shame if you didn’t as you would miss the amazing fact about fish towards the end. How many people have now skipped to the end of the article? The answers I do not know but we can be certain that to hold someone’s attention is a tricky business, especially when there are key messages, facts and information that require absorbing.

So how can you grab and more importantly hold the attention of your delegates in a conference situation? Let’s take a look at some key points to bear in mind when organising a stimulating conference.

Fed and watered

Let’s start with the basics - we all need food and drink to function. An obvious statement but getting it right at a conference is essential to setting the flow and mood of the event.

It is vital that everyone gets enough liquid throughout the day and something as simple as making sure everyone has a bottle of water at all times can make a real difference.

It’s also a good idea to offer a range of drinks including freshly squeezed juice of some description as a refreshing alternative to coffee.

Food usually plays a key role at the main break points throughout the day but it’s worth considering the nutritional value of snacks and meals served at you conference. Everyone has their favourite biscuit (I favour the custard cream) but after the initial sugar rush too many can leave people feeling sluggish. Fruit is always a better alternative and helps keep your delegates hydrated and fresh.

Move around

It’s a simple fact that for anyone to have their bum on a seat for a prolonged period of time is a sure fire way to induce a sleepy feeling. By getting your delegates up, active and involved your messages are more likely to get through. Think of alternative ways to impart information away from the traditional lecture style of a conference such as team games, quizzes or other fun and incentivised experiences.

Breakout!

You know what they say, “a change is as good as a rest” and never is this truer than in a conference situation. Taking regular breaks helps maintain concentration over long periods and during a break it’s important to move away from the main conference area. Hosting your conference in a unique venue can be a big plus and make breaks far more interesting than simply standing in a corridor drinking tea and munching on biscuits. Vinopolis, a unique conferencing and events venue in London’s vibrant Bankside, is a perfect example of this. Their unique themed areas are ideal for giving a conference a very different feel.

Sorry, there is no fish fact!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How to Stimulate your Delegates