Ideas / Around big conferences / Abroad
The useful station
Fix one thing every attendee struggles with: a charging lounge, a proper espresso bar, a coat and bag drop, a quiet desk. Run it well and put your name on it.
How it runs
- ChoosePick the problem attendees complain about at this conference.
- ApprovalAgree space and terms with the organiser.
- BuildA station that looks good and works under pressure.
- Conference daysStaffed from first coffee to last session.
What to know
- Organisers often charge for activations inside the venue.
- Staffing makes or breaks it. Queues undo the goodwill.
- Count usage: it's the easiest activation to measure.
Good for
Being seen by everyone, in a way they appreciate.
Not for
Deep conversations with a few people.
Questions planners ask
Which problem should we solve?
Look at last year's attendee complaints: queues, coffee, charging and coats come up every time.
Do we need the organiser's approval?
Inside the venue, yes, and often a fee. Next to it, a permit may be enough.
How do we capture leads?
Lightly: a QR code for a follow-up, never a badge scan as the price of a coffee.
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.
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