Meaningful encounters: This is what (Young) Professionals want when visiting congress or business event
New research by Freeman and UFI shows that visitors to events come primarily for valuable connections. More than 8 in 10 visitors cite “gaining meaningful contacts” as the main reason for attending a conference or trade fair, far above just gathering information.
What visitors really want at events
The latest trends show that visitors are looking for:
- Targeted contacts with colleagues
- Concrete insights that can be applied immediately
- Personal experiences that match their needs
How can you make a difference as an event organiser?
Successful event organisers take a different approach:
- Targeted networking activities
No general get-togethers, but activities where people with similar interests can find each other. - Smart technology for better matches
Tools that help visitors meet the right people - Strategic space layout
Creating places that encourage spontaneous conversations - Targeted sessions in small groups
Specific meetings on topics that people really want to talk about
New ways to measure success
Event organisers are increasingly looking beyond visitor numbers and focusing more on:
- Number of new business contacts
- Quality of the connections made
- Specific follow-up agreements
- Directly applicable insights
Practical tips for your event
Want to capitalise on these trends? Then try:
- Redefine networks for your specific target group
- Use matchmaking tools that suit your event
- Plan activities around common themes
- Create spaces that facilitate conversation
Sources
This article is based on insights from the following reports from the CLC-VECTA knowledge base:
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This article was created with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and was subsequently reviewed and supplemented by our editorial team with industry-specific knowledge.