Elevate Your Events with Art & Culture
If you’ve ever left a conference feeling uninspired, like you never stepped outside, you’re not alone. With the rise of experiential travel, attendees now crave meaningful interactions and memorable moments. Whether you’re planning your next company meeting or the annual incentive trip for your top producers, bringing art and culture into your events can transform mundane meetings into vibrant VIP experiences. Partnering with a local agency can make all the difference in creating these unique moments!
Ashley Case, our Senior Director of Meetings & Incentives Operations, discusses the importance of integrating these elements into your next event. She and Krystal Adams, Executive Meeting Manager, provide practical tips for maximizing these opportunities and share a few inspiring examples from our own events. So, let’s get started!
IMPACTFUL MEETINGS | The Power of Experiences
Creating experiences for corporate meetings is crucial, as attendees leave their families and invest significant time to attend. Ashley Case emphasizes the importance of making their time worthwhile, ensuring they return home with memorable moments. This way, when friends ask about their work trip, they can say more than “Ehhh, I didn’t really leave the hotel.”
Incorporating local landmarks, attractions, and historic structures into the agenda adds depth to an event. Millennials, who dominate the workforce, especially value experiences over material goods and are drawn to such immersive events.
Imagine the thrill of sitting in a packed house at the Grand Ole Opry. High-energy music starts, and lights brighten. Your Executive Team takes the stage with a local band, welcoming you to the Sales Kick-Off Meeting in Nashville. The day wraps up with a rising, nationally recognized artist, energizing you for the evening's events. Now that's a memory!
INCENTIVE TRIPS | The Value of Hyper-Local Touches
Incentive trips are all about making participants feel special and rewarding them uniquely! According to Ashley, hyper-local and privatized experiences, which go beyond typical tourist activities, play a crucial role in achieving this.
The first thing to remember is that authenticity is key! Instead of piling onto a motorcoach for an “off the shelf” city tour in Buenos Aires, why not engage all the senses with an unforgettable personalized experience? Picture this: a private demo and tasting at an authentic empanadería to kick things off, followed by a visit to a skilled leathersmith (or talabartero). Here, your guests can choose their own unique, branded gift or even get fitted for a custom leather jacket! Imagine pausing for a refreshing mate or a glass of Malbec in the vibrant La Boca district while a tango duo dazzles everyone with an impromptu dance display. Finally, board your vintage vehicle and head back to the hotel, relishing every moment of this bespoke adventure.
PLANNING | Tips to Remember
1. Plan with Purpose: Consider how each activity can enhance the attendee experience when planning an event. Consider what makes the location unique and integrate those elements into your agenda.
2. Plan with Heart: Incorporating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into your itinerary is a fantastic way to leave your guests feeling truly fulfilled while forging genuine connections with the local community. Imagine learning about the culture firsthand and immersing yourself in the unique surroundings. Some of the most unforgettable events we’ve delivered have been those that seamlessly blend our visitors with the local community.
3. Engage All Senses: Experiences that engage all senses are more memorable. Incorporate local food, music, and activities that allow participants to touch, smell, and see the culture up close. Experiences that engage all the senses are those that linger in your consciousness for years to come. Can you recall the beat of a drum, the smell of a freshly baked pastry, or the cascade of orange and pink hues on the horizon? These vivid memories often transport us back to a cherished moment in time and, more importantly, remind us of the people we shared it with! By incorporating local food, music, and hands-on activities, you can allow participants to touch, smell, and see the culture up close. These delightful sensory imprints return in fleeting moments, weaving connections between distant places and evoking a sense of nostalgia and joy.
3. Capture the Moments: Don’t forget to capture these special moments. Having a dedicated team to photograph and record the events ensures that attendees can relive the experience long after it’s over. Plus, these visuals can be great for marketing future events!
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES BY CADENCE
Dinner in a 17th-Century Italian Villa: Guests were whisked away by Lucia boats on Lake Como, landing at a 17th-century villa for an evening to remember, where the waitstaff surprised everyone by serenading as three tenors.
Exploring Chiang Mai by Tuk-tuk: A thrilling adventure that took our guests to dinner and then onto Chiang Mai’s night bazaar by Tuk-tuk, added evening excitement to our Thailand itinerary.
Stargazing in Los Cabos: Attendees marveled at the stunning night sky of Los Cabos, guided by professional astronomers for an unforgettable celestial experience.
Scavenger Hunt in Fiji: A dynamic scavenger hunt on the main island combined local market shopping, traditional drumming, and a heart-warming village school CSR activity, which made for a competitive and enriching day.
Walking Food Tour in Spain: Participants savored local delicacies, learned about regional specialties, and explored Game of Thrones filming locations in the charming Girona countryside.
A Farewell Evening in The Louvre: Participants were lead on a private tour of The Louvre and surprised by the glow of their candlelight dinner set-up in the foyer, surrounded by architectural marvel.
Incorporating art and culture into your corporate meeting or event can elevate the experience from mundane to magical. By creating meaningful, memorable moments, you not only enhance attendee satisfaction but also achieve a higher return on investment.
Are you ready to take your events to the next level? Connect with our Cadence team to start planning unforgettable experiences that captivate and inspire. Together, we’ll turn your meetings into memorable adventures, contact us today!
