Wrapping Up Your Meeting

While your members are experiencing the afterglow of the event, you are faced with the challenge of tying up the final details and completing projects related to your meeting. Our clients find that this is the perfect time to rely on a PRofessional Solutions associate to help with the following kinds of activities:

• Prepare a report on media coverage to document your success
• Follow up with reporters or members who need additional information
• Write hometown press releases on participants, speakers or newly elected officers
• Compile a report on ways to make the next meeting even more successful

When exploring ideas for your next event, check out ASAE’s website and Acronym blog for additional meeting and event planning advice, such as:

• Target content level to a particular segment of your membership
• Provide varied learning formats
• Use social responsibility to build attendance
• Consider a two-pronged post-event strategy for disseminating digital content

Next week at its Marketing, Membership and Communications Conference (MMCC) in Washington, DC, ASAE will be providing content at its education sessions that is appropriate for senior-level professionals. In an effort to offer new ideas to its seasoned members, there will be a particular emphasis on material for the director level and above. Although all professional levels are welcome, this meeting will have more focus on content knowledge for senior-level executives.

To fully engage its audience, ASAE will implement varied learning formats at MMCC, including learning labs, early riser sessions, half-day workshops, “Ignite” sessions and “Conversations That Matter” to those at the VP level. Providing education opportunities that are interactive and use innovative technology to enhance the experience can help you build a successful meeting.

When trying to increase attendance for your next event, incorporate social responsibility activities and follow this tip provided at an ASAE Spring Expo by Gary Hirshberg, co-founder of Stonyfield organic yogurt:

“Hold a service day as part of any conference or major event. People want to connect and interact,” he said, noting that working side by side on a community project creates a feel-good experience off the bat. “The networking is incredible…and right away the meeting is a success because people think, ‘I gave instead of just received.’”

Lastly, develop a post-event strategy for using digital content from the meeting. Take advantage of the attendees’ excitement by providing a big digital splash immediately following the event, but don’t stop there. Continue their engagement with your organization by sending them content in regular installments over the coming weeks and months. This can also help increase momentum for a future conference.

Best of luck with your next meeting and remember that PRofessional Solutions has experienced communications professionals ready to help you make the most of all your events.