Experiential Event Design ~ Inspired by Ctrl+Alt+Del 2016

I got to go to an uber revolutionary meeting and want to share a bit. CRTL+ALT+DEL came out of the cancellation of an industry conference. Many of the scheduled presenters connected and decided to deliver the planned content virtually. Pop up events started um, popping up, across the globe and so buzz about the program began to spread. I was lucky enough to spend the day in person with 15 other planners, co-working, collaborating, and learning. #proudeventprofs in over a dozen locations across the globe joined in as well.

Kudos to the #CtrlAltDel16 organizers @DahliaElGazzar @lizkingevents and @AKthe5th! It was a successful reboot of the way #eventprofs think!

My biggest take-away from the day was the assertion of our collective need to step back and re-evaluate our identity. Along with other presenters, Kevin White of XLP (@2xpl) shared a call to unite as one industry. Not trade shows, not events, not meetings, not hotels, not weddings, not festivals. What we are all about is experiences, specifically designed experiences.

 

As professionals, “Our expertise is how people interact in a live space or setting.”

“As an industry, Experiential Design (XD) is

• Purposeful
• Customized
• Temporary (set up and remove vs. amusement park)
• Live (including digital).”

Whether you are about “strategy, design, production, or coordination, we have many voices but one message,” said White. We access great power in uniting together and there is more that we do share and can share with one another than divides us.

Is team building experiential event design?

As for PlayWorks Group’s place in the industry, we agree completely with Kevin’s definition. PlayWorks Group creates team building events and designs meetings that are participant focused. We exist to design experiences for participants to interact and to have fun working together. The focus is always on the purpose of the gathering and we customize to our client’s needs. The fun can’t last forever, but wow, is it live! What about you?

 

So what do you think the benefits are of redefining our industry border and boundaries? Do you think there any drawbacks or are there reasons to resist?

We’re discussing and using this updated definition and would love to hear your thoughts, so please share them in the comments below!