What’s the difference between a good event and a great one?
In my experience hosting Cart Basel and interviewing event leaders on my podcast Heartfelt Event Show, it comes down to one thing: intentional experience design.
Here’s my blueprint for creating moments that attendees still talk about months later.
Table of Contents
Guests Before Sponsors
Sponsors sponsor events with one goal: Return on Investement.
While hosts need to make money, putting the spotlight on your guests will take you much further than focusing on sponsors.
Guests are to be championed, charmed and cherished at all costs.
Prioritize your guests’ desired event outcome, and your sponsors will thank you for having appreciative guests.
When attendees feel valued and engaged, they become the best advertisement for your sponsors’ brands.
Educate Your Audience
I’ve seen too many professional events fall into 1 of 2 categories: party or panel.
While that may be preferred by some, the 2 extremes don’t drive business forward.
When hosting events for leaders, founders and executives, recognize that these high-achievers want to accomplish MORE. They are thirsty for practical wisdom and implementable strategies.
Find the right speakers who can teach your audience about the right tools, and those discussions will be talked about and remembered long after the event ends.
Elevate Their Daily Life
Having hosted events in abandoned garages to multi-million dollar venues, I’ve learned that regardless of what the 4 walls look like, it’s important to make your space feel like a “level-up” from their day-to-day.
Easy level-ups include food and drink, venue decorations, and swag bag giveaways, but having a room full of accomplished, driven, intelligent self-starters will refresh your guests and make them feel surrounded by individuals who bring the best out of them.
The environment should inspire and energize, not just accommodate.
Hype
Sponsors, speakers and stakeholders deserve attention, but you would be remiss for only focusing cameras on the stage.
Direct your photography and videography teams to capture your guests having a blast, accentuate their “best side” and make them feel like a VIP.
As a host, speak to every guest possible and THANK THEM for bringing their good vibes and positive energy. If you’re excited about your guests, they will be excited about your event.
This energy becomes contagious and elevates the entire experience.
Public Recognition
Once the dust settles and everybody goes home, post a group picture the following day on your socials and tag AS MANY guests as you can.
Give shoutouts to your sponsors, venue hosts and guests you can spot.
This creates unity, community and includes your attendees in what was a positive, memorable experience. It extends the event’s impact beyond the physical gathering and builds anticipation for future events.
Conclusion
These principles have transformed every event I’ve hosted, turning ordinary gatherings into extraordinary experiences that attendees remember and talk about for months.
Here’s your quick recap for creating unforgettable events:
- Put Guests Before Sponsors – Champion, charm and cherish your attendees at all costs
- Educate Your Audience – Provide practical wisdom and implementable strategies, not just parties or panels
- Elevate Their Daily Life – Make your space feel like a “level-up” from their day-to-day experience
- Include Your Guests in the Hype – Capture them on camera and make them feel like VIPs
- Follow Up with Public Recognition – Post group pictures and tag attendees to create lasting community