Ideas / Around big conferences / Abroad
The roundtable with no slides
Fifteen seats away from the venue, one sharp host, one question worth arguing about. No deck, no panel, no recording.
How it runs
- Weeks beforeFifteen people invited by name.
- The questionOne question chosen, specific enough to disagree about.
- 90 minutesA host keeps it moving and makes sure everyone speaks.
- AfterA short written summary, shared only with consent.
What to know
- Chatham House rule: what's said can be used, but not who said it.
- The host matters more than the venue.
- No recording, or people won't say what they think.
Good for
Thought leadership with senior buyers, without a stage.
Not for
Brands that want to present.
Questions planners ask
Who should host?
Someone respected in your field who can steer a debate. Often not someone from your company.
Should we sell during it?
No. Follow up afterwards, one to one.
What makes a good question?
One where smart people disagree, and the answer matters to their next budget.
Thinking of doing this?
Borrow the idea, it's yours. If you'd like a hand, or just a second opinion on whether it suits your group, write to me. I produce ideas like this one at Sorry, No Polar Bears, a Helsinki studio I co-run.
Also strangely doable
Abroad
The morning run
An easy 5 km at seven, breakfast at the finish. The executives who skip every party turn up for this.
15–60 people · Conference week · €
Abroad
The breakfast before the doors open
Twelve customers, one question about your product's future, done by half past nine.
8–15 people · Conference week · €
Abroad
The quiet base
A suite near the venue set up for 30-minute meetings, booked by your sales team all week.
1:1 meetings · Conference week · €€