So before your efforts direct to a fully virtual event that might not do everything an in-person event can do for your corporation, let’s get back to basics.
GET BACK TO BASICS
When you’re planning an event, you always need to go back to the very first question…
Why are you planning this event? Why are you spending this budget? What are your goals? Customer retention, inspiration, education?
If your goals can’t be accomplished with a virtual event, you need to consider other options.
THE NEW EVENT MODEL
Human beings are meant to gather, but COVID-19 is making it so we can’t gather in large numbers — yet.
But at a time like this, businesses and their salespeople need to be in front of their customers. Revenue needs to be earned, quotas need to be met. And it needs to be done in a safe and impactful way.
What does that way look like?
It looks like ROARSHOWS — roadshows with a twist.
Let’s be honest: a typical roadshow can be boring when you’re just trying to pack a room with people. There is little to no branding. You basically book a meeting room, have a continental breakfast, register people, do a little demo, and you’re on your way.
A ROARSHOW is not that.
Safety matters
Branding matters
Speakers matter
Audience matters
Efficiency matters
Engagement matters
Networking matters
Revenue matters
Here's what a ROARshow requires:
Keep your guests safe
It’s important to abide by gathering rules in show cities. If the government rule is 50, no more than 40 customers or prospects can be in the room. No onsite registrations.
Create an impactful story
Let your guests know why they should be there, and show them what's in it for them (aside from possibly their first human contact in months).
A simple registration form
A no-cost event
Different Sessions
If you have a strong customer base in a particular city, there would be a morning and afternoon session (no crossover).
Short Timeframes
These would be short-and-sweet events, 3 hours max.
Food & Beverage Made Easy
We’re keeping it simple. There are just breaks (not meals) and everything is pre-packaged to limit handling.
OTHER SIGNS IT’S A ROARSHOW:
SWAG IS FUN
AV IS SIMPLE
INTERNET IS JUST FOR THE PRESENTER
BRANDING IS ON POINT
THERE’S A VIRTUAL/REMOTE COMPONENT
THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT
IT’S LOCAL, WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE
OF COURSE, BASED ON YOUR NEEDS, YOUR ATTENDEES, AND YOUR LOCATION, WE KNOW
YOUR ROARSHOW MIGHT NEED TO LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
Hub and Spoke ROARSHOW
For maximum exposure, your ROARSHOW could take place in multiple cities on the same day. We call this a “hub and spoke” ROARSHOW — where the hub is where the keynote speaker is and the spokes are the different cities or locations featuring the same event. The content is more localized and product managers are in each of the cities.