Long-standing client, Guide Share Europe UK (GSE UK) approached Sheer Edge to support them to provide AV/Production crew for their keynote room for the 2023 conference.  Ever since they launched their virtual conference during the pandemic, there has been an increase in requirements for content that could be shared with the wider GSE community worldwide.

In addition to the AV/Production requirements, the event has grown considerably since post pandemic times, so much so, the requirement to accommodate a further 200 attendees, secure bedrooms and transport for 50 students and run two separate dinners to accommodate the growing numbers for the 2023 annual conference. Sheer Edge supported the client by being the venue liaison, securing the students rooms and transport and arranged a separate event space on site to host a secondary dinner.

GSE UK’s Annual Conference and Exhibition usually runs over three days, attracting approximately 500 attendees, in 2023 numbers exceeded 600 and due to its popularity, the event started on the Monday afternoon, to provide almost four days’ worth of valuable educational content.

Our approach

As we do with all our clients before undertaking a project, we had a full discovery call with the GSE UK team to understand every element of what they wanted to achieve from the 2023 annual conference. We explored their vision then confirmed timelines, budget and how we would support the delivery of the event.

We work with a few event partners to deliver the highest level of event production, we obtained 3 quotes and discussed at length the benefits of each partner.

As this was an international event, we had to ensure all sessions that were being delivered in the Bentleys suite were set up and recorded to the highest quality, also making sure the presenters and moderators were fully prepared. All sessions were recorded in Bentleys were available for attendees to catch up if they were unable to make them live, adding additional flexibility for attendees.

For the increase in numbers, we liaised at length with the venue, established the absolute maximum capacity in the venue for the numbers the client was expecting.  In addition, secured a secondary event space to host a second dinner as the original room was at capacity.

We obtained 3 quotes from local hotels for the student rooms and secured the best rate for the client and secured coach transportation across the four days.

The results

As well as responding to the highest numbers this conference has ever seen and the venue responding extremely well to this requirement.

The client was delighted with the new stage set and production offering, not to mention the high-quality content so that members who were unable to attend the live event could benefit from the keynote sessions. Discussions are now in play for 2024 conference and discussions about hosting some of the stream sessions in the keynote room to increase the quality content that would be available for others who couldn’t attend.

Testimonial

‘Great team, brilliant service’

As the GSE UK Region and Conference Manager, I have the pleasure of working with the team at Sheer Edge arranging our in-person and virtual conferences. The 2023 in person event attracted over 600 visitors over a four-day period. Jo and her team were instrumental in helping us arrange our largest conference ever. From working with the venue to secure a two-year contract down to arranging all the AV for all aspects of the event. Nothing is ever too much trouble and always done with a smile and a level of professionalism rarely seen.

With feedback from the delegates commenting it was the best GSE conference ever and the best conference they had attended 2023. Not too sure I can say much more! Great team, brilliant service and already looking forward to working with Jo and the team on our 2024 conferences. Highly recommended.

Mark Wilson, GSE UK Conference Manger

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Every aspect of the event experience, from personalized attendee journeys to streamlined operations, is now under scrutiny. As event planners, marketers, and attendees, it’s crucial that we understand how AI technologies are not just enhancing events but redefining them.

But what should you consider when looking to incorporate cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, into your event delivery? There’s no doubt that AI can revolutionize the way in which events are planned, executed, and managed. From streamlining logistics to enhancing attendee experiences, the possibilities are vast.

Here are some aspects to consider when planning to integrate AI support mechanisms within your event delivery:

Tailored Experiences:

One of the primary areas where AI can make a significant impact is in data analysis. Advanced algorithms can crunch vast amounts of data to provide valuable insights into attendee preferences, helping you tailor your events to specific demographics. This data-driven approach allows for more personalized experiences, from customized event agendas to targeted marketing strategies.

AI enables a new level of personalization for event attendees. From suggesting sessions to networking opportunities, AI crafts an event experience that feels unique and individual for each attendee.

Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction:

Event planning involves intricate logistics, and AI can be a game-changer in this aspect. Machine learning algorithms can analyze historical data to predict attendance numbers, helping you optimize venue selection and resource allocation. This predictive capability minimizes the risk of over or underestimating requirements, ensuring a smoother execution of your events.

Interactive Elements:

AI-powered chatbots are another asset in event management that may bring more value than many people would usually consider. Integrating a chatbot into your event website or app can provide instant assistance to attendees, answering queries about schedules, locations, or any other important information. This not only enhances attendee experience but also frees up your team to focus on more important tasks. Another interesting and popular interactive option is interactive kiosks, which can provide instant support and information, elevating the participant experience.

Security Powered by AI:

Facial recognition technology is gaining popularity in event security and access control. By implementing AI-driven facial recognition systems, you can streamline the check-in process, enhance security measures, and provide a seamless experience for attendees. This technology adds a layer of sophistication to your events while ensuring a secure and efficient entry process.

Automated Coordination:

AI-driven tools can handle scheduling, logistics, and even real-time problem-solving, freeing up human coordinators to focus on more strategic tasks.

For large-scale events, managing crowd flow is a critical aspect. AI-powered analytics can monitor crowd movements, helping you identify congestion points and optimize the layout for better flow. This not only improves the overall attendee experience but also contributes to the safety and security of the event.

Hybrid and Virtual Streaming:

Hybrid streaming and virtual attendance have become integral parts of the event landscape, especially in the wake of global events impacting travel. AI-driven solutions can enhance virtual experiences by providing real-time language translation, generating automated transcripts, and even facilitating virtual networking opportunities. This inclusivity ensures that participants from around the world can engage with your event seamlessly.

Smart Content Creation:

In the realm of content creation, AI tools can assist in generating engaging and relevant material. Whether it’s writing blog posts, creating social media content, or designing promotional materials, AI can analyze trends, understand audience preferences, and suggest content ideas that resonate with your target demographic.

Sustainable Event Solutions:

By predicting attendee numbers more accurately, AI can help to support a reduction in waste, thereby supporting sustainability efforts within the event industry.

AI technology is transforming the events industry, offering opportunities to improve efficiency, create unforgettable experiences, drive innovation, and attune to attendees’ needs more than ever before, all while maintaining a keen eye on sustainability and safety.

It’s time for the event industry to fully embrace AI and unlock its potential to create events that are more engaging and efficient. Embracing AI and technology in event management opens a world of possibilities.

From data-driven decision-making to enhanced security measures and immersive virtual experiences, these tools can elevate your events to new heights.

As a tech-savvy event operations manager, integrating these innovations into your workflow will not only streamline your processes but also position your events at the forefront of the industry.

The post Embracing the Future – How is AI Transforming the Event Industry appeared first on Sheer Edge Corporate.

Celebrating and rewarding your team keeps them engaged and motivated, it promotes positive mental health and really makes them feel part of the team. Celebration is a big morale booster

We love to celebrate wins here at Sheer Edge and we want to help you do the same.

Here are a few reasons to celebrate

• Having a successful quarter
• Record positive testimonials from customers
• Specific goal achievements, department or individually
• A new idea or product that has been brought to launch

Here are some ideas how you can reward those small and big wins…

• Depending on the size of your company, you could monthly or quarterly add all the team members names into a draw to win a prize. Some prizes could be;
• An overnight stay at a 5* hotel
• Cookery masterclass with a Michelin Star chef
• A corporate day out including attending a sporting event, concert or theatre  
• Cinema tickets
• Luxury Hamper
• Organise a party to celebrate a department win, decorate the office, call in a caterer and really go to town, shower them with praise and have a great celebration.
• Send some team members on a corporate day out, to a sporting event, music, entertainment, the theatre, or for a fine dining experience.
• Set up a rewards point scheme, each time you want to celebrate a moment or a win within the team you can send them virtual points which they can then chose something to trade the points in for, you could compile a list from gift vouchers to days out or holidays.

Not every win needs to be heavily celebrated, a simple congratulations and a pat on the back for acknowledgement goes a long way, but in the long term you need to keep momentum of wins going, motivate the team and make them feel inspired. If you would like support with ideas and options, look no further, the Sheer Edge team love to find options to help you and your team celebrate wins! Get in touch: hello@sheeredge.co.uk or call us: 0330 223 3176

The post How often do you review and celebrate wins? appeared first on Sheer Edge Corporate.

Are you a business that has pulled all your events the past few years? Most have started to panic and are trying to justify the need for running an event. We are here to tell you why still running an event is a great investment for your company.

• Networking opportunities – For your attendees and for the staff that are part of the event. For the majority networking is the only reason they attend events, they get to share experiences, learnings, make new friends and they leave these events fulfilled. For the team – planning an event is an all hand on deck project, during this planning stage, relationships can be formed, ideas can come together, and the team will feel a little more united.
• If you don’t- someone else will
  More often than not this will be your competitor. Build your event year after year, get a greater attendee portfolio and don’t stop. When you have something good going- it’s important to keep that alive, if your event was to fall off the calendar this will open a gap for your competitor to fill.
• Target your core audience – What a great way to get all your target audience in one space, not to sell to them but to learn from them and talk to them about their needs and wants. If you were to sit in the office and call each person or email them to find out what they want to see, what they would like to gain from your company – this would take you a considerable amount of time, running an event for your target audience eliminates all the unnecessary time.  
• Increase engagement – It is important to not forget your team when it comes to events, the most important investment for you is your team members. Boosting their morale and appreciating them is the best investment you could ever have. You don’t just have to run business events, you could plan a team event for your staff members, create a safe and fun environment to improve the company culture, create new working relationships and importantly build their self-confidence.

Brand visibility and exposure – your product needs to STAND out from the rest and people need to remember you, creating and executing a memorable event will do just that.         Once you have the one event under your belt your social media and marketing will be soaring – you will have genuine comments, testimonials from REAL people testifying just how good your brand is, and how you recognise your customers needs.

The post Why are holding events a great investment for your company? appeared first on Sheer Edge Corporate.