Longevity of Events Follow Up

It seems as though I'm not the only one who had been thinking about how to keep an annual event up to date. Received my most recent copy of Biz Bash (The Holiday Issue!!) and when I flipped to the Readers' Forum the question was "When is it time to update an annual event?"

Thought I would pull and share some of my favorite ideas that were included:

“Probably before you even think it needs tweaking.”

Amy Young, president, Destination Consultants, Grand Rapids, Michigan

“Before you start seeing drop-off in your multi-year attendee numbers. If you start losing them, it may be because they're bored.”

Brooke Murphy, manager of planning and administration, National Notary Association, Chatsworth, California

“There should always be something fresh and exciting added to an annual event. It's great to keep the things that worked really well in the past, but without creating a sort of newness each year, it leaves the event feeling stagnant and stale. We want to help repeat attendees and new attendees have a life-changing experience every time.” 

Blume Bauer, owner and C.E.O., Siren Song Productions, Los Angeles