How Dresden's "Fit4Congress" activates participants
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- Dresden Convention Service
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Experience the theoretical live, participate and network - for the 2019 edition of "Fit4Congress", Dresden Marketing GmbH had set itself the goal of making the theme of the continuing education event as vivid as possible: It was all about the "Congress of the Future" for the approximately 110 participants from all over Germany. With a holistic concept in which content and format went hand in hand, the aspects of dialogue, networking and interaction as guidelines for successful, participant-focused events were not only conveyed theoretically but made tangible.
Bringing the congress of the future to life
"The reflection of theoretical content in the practical execution of our event was perceived by the participating event professionals as a real added value," explains Juliane Hilbig, project manager of the event. "For our keynote speech on the Congress of the Future, for example, we received a lot of positive feedback that the content of the speech could be found directly in the event." This also included the implementation of a room-within-a-room concept, in which the event elements "Expert Corner" as a platform for event service providers from Dresden and the surrounding area, the "Expert Camp" as a knowledge session and the catering all took place in the same room.
© BLEND3, Frank Grätz
© BLEND3, Frank GrätzNew formats convince
An unusual set-up, also for the experts giving the presentations, but one that was completely convincing in its execution: "I was curious in advance how it would work and now I can only say: very well," said Sarah Skavron from the GCB German Convention Bureau, who presented the research results of the "Future Meeting Space" project on the topic of "Participant Experience as a Success Factor" as part of a "Silent Disco" concept at the Expert Camp. "The whole thing brought a certain serenity and calm to the day. There was no need for the other 'running from one room to the other' and everyone was more relaxed."
Her first "Silent Disco", where the audience could tune into her Expert Camp talk via headphones, was a successful premiere for the project manager: "Apart from the smooth technical implementation, it was particularly interesting how many asked me afterwards what the experience was like for me as a speaker." The direct experience of theory also played an important role here. Because: "Parallel to the content on the topic of participant experience that I imparted, the Fit4Congress participants were able to experience the 'Silent Keynote' directly as an example of how to design the participant experience and thus got input twice."
Her first "Silent Disco", where the audience could tune into her Expert Camp talk via headphones, was a successful premiere for the project manager: "Apart from the smooth technical implementation, it was particularly interesting how many asked me afterwards what the experience was like for me as a speaker." The direct experience of theory also played an important role here. Because: "Parallel to the content on the topic of participant experience that I imparted, the Fit4Congress participants were able to experience the 'Silent Keynote' directly as an example of how to design the participant experience and thus got input twice."
Participant interaction inspires
The commitment, great interest and high level of interaction on the part of the participants were also a special feature of the event for Dr Christina Buttler, Director Strategy & Innovation at MCI Germany. Apart from an introductory keynote on the Congress of the Future, she led two "We are shaping the Congress of the Future" workshops in which all facets of an event were played out by the participants in the context of a "Congress Camp". The event planners had been asked in advance to bring their own "cases", such as events, congresses or symposia, so that they could work on them in groups: "I am thrilled with what the participants brought with them. The intensive participation exceeded my expectations," says the event expert, who also emphasises what makes the workshop work so valuable: "I didn't prescribe anything, but the participants themselves found solutions together that can now be implemented in reality - and that is simply a very nice feeling."