b'event essentialsWhere you can, try to use digitalfor access to sessions orSome innovative ways to over physical. Its the digitalnetworking opportunities. engage include:agedelegates expect to be Offer opportunities for workshops using laptops, tablets and otherENGAGEMENT and breakout sessions, which allow computers when they attendA successful corporate event notfor smaller and more focused meetings. Use paper when itonly achieves its objectives butgroups to ask questions and makes sense. But a caveat actively engages its audience. Ensureparticipate. Breakout rooms may be sometimes paper is just better,the content at your conference isa must-have on youreven if only used sparingly.relevant, informative and tailoredvenue criteria.to the interests of the attendees.Consider Q&A sessions or panels Consider mobilizing a teamof volunteers for non-technicalConsider the entire cross-section ofwith some invited experts to answer roles. You could arrange delegates, because understandinglive questions from their audience. ways to exchange their time your audience is the first step. FINAL THOUGHTSBe prepared. Like a good hotel that anticipates its guests, ensure youve prepared a box of goodies for delegates who may have overlooked or misplaced something. And like a hotel, many of the tips below can be positioned at the welcome and registration desk!Throw in some pens, pencils, sparename tags, paper clips, rubber bands, staples and staplers, three-hole punches and binder clips (in various sizes). Binder clips can be incredibly useful in many situations, like pinning a fussy tablecloth down or clipping signage to something.If convenient and suitable, bringalong a portable printer, just in case. Good printers can be acquired at reasonable cost these daysjust pay attention to the price of those pesky toner cartridges! Include a basic first aid kit. Mosthotels and convention centres will have their own supplies, but it wont hurt to bring along a box of band-aids to prevent delegates from bleeding on the agenda orthe tablecloth.RESOURCESCheck out some of the following websites and resources for ideas and forms that could be useful to your planning process:www.eventdex.com www.tagvenue.com/blog/how-to- organise-a-conference-checklist www.exordo.com/blog/ your-foolproof-conference-planning-checklist14 CORPORATE MEETINGS & EVENTS corporatemeetingsnetwork.ca'