Tarin O'Donnell’s Post

8 Tips for Engaging with First-Timers at Annual Events: "Perhaps the hardest part of an event is convincing someone to attend in the first place; we’d much rather keep that person loyally coming back...When new people have a good experience, they tell other people outside—and that creates real energy and a pipeline to inevitably replace the old energy and the people cycling out of the field." https://lnkd.in/gj9ySJ7i BizBash #assnchat

“We turned a running event into a civic event” Last night I had the pleasure of hosting a Global Sustainable Sport webinar “Strength in Numbers: The power of mass participation to engage all of the seven pillars” in conversation with Phuong Le Viet & Elvin Ting We explored the recent postponement of the Techcombank (TCB) Hanoi International Marathon due to the impact of Typhoon Yagi. The event was successfully postponed by a week, overcoming considerable adversity. It was fascinating to explore the role of the GSS Sustainable Pillars of Sport in the process. ✅ Partnerships – made possible with a strong spirit of partnership between the organiser Sunrise Events Viet Nam (SEV), title sponsor Techcombank, government agencies, suppliers & importantly participants & volunteers ✅ Participation – the power of bringing participants together to create impact across communities – often elevated by adversity ✅ People – the postponement massively amplified the social impact of the event - over USD500k towards Typhoon Yagi relief ✅ Planet – whilst the increasing adverse weather risks that the industry is facing was at the core of the postponement we also explored the ability of mass participation events to educate and change the narrative - eg the Great Green Run created by Elvin ✅ Power – as the industry continues to grow, structure & governance will be key to building a sustainable global industry. In a few weeks I’m hugely excited to be hosting the inaugural MPW Global Leadership Forum in Athens to explore the building blocks we need to put in place ✅ Profile – promoting Hanoi, Vietnam, Techcombank & other partners was enhanced by the collaborative effort which turned adversity into opportunity. We also explored that profile is generated on many levels eg the often overlooked fact that most mass participation events include hundreds or even thousands of micro-influencers creating a ripple effect of awareness ✅ Prosperity – the situation created a double-edged economic sword – cancel and be impacted by significant financial issues eg refunds & sunk costs or postpone and cover large additional costs – a potentially no-win situation. Overcome by “open book” financial discussions with key partners & huge support from suppliers Ultimately the successful postponement was an amazing example of the 7 pillars in action - in the words of Phuong - transforming “a running event into a civic event”. This got me thinking - Is it only a civic event when we are responding to a crisis or disaster or are we perhaps as an industry delivering thousands of civic events across the globe every weekend of the year? I would love to hear your thoughts. A huge thanks to Mike Laflin. Watch the recording and learn more about Global Sustainable Sport by visiting the link below At MPW24 in Ho Chi Minh City we will be exploring a detailed case study of the Hanoi postponement. Register today through the link below to join us from 5-7 Dec #mpw24 #mpw #sustainablity

She's the guest that should be at the top of everyone's list... Mother Nature brings so much to the party 🎉🌳 Here's why you should swap four walls for a bit of sunshine - 🌿 Elevated Mood: Being outdoors can boost mood and reduce stress levels. Guests will feel more relaxed, setting the perfect tone. 🌿 Increased Engagement: Nature provides a stimulating backdrop that encourages guests to interact and explore. 🌿 Wellness Boost: Spending time outdoors will increase the well-being of your guests, leaving them feeling refreshed and revitalised. 🌿 Enhanced Creativity: Sensations of the outdoors stimulate creativity, inspire innovative thinking and spark new ideas. 🌿 Memorable Experience: Outdoor events offer a unique and memorable experience that stands out from traditional indoor gatherings. Whether it's a picturesque sunset or a moonlit dinner under the stars, guests will cherish the special moments created in nature for years to come. 🌿 Switch up the energy: Change of location = change of mood Check the images for some of the ways we've invited nature into our planning (bonus - save the post when you're struggling for inspo 💡). How will you incorporate the great outdoors into your event? #eventtips #eventinspo #eventorganiser #eventmanagement #corporatevents #ukevents #globalevents #exceptionalexperiences

RunThrough Announces Inaugural Women's-Only Event in Partnership with StoneX: A Celebration of Women’s Running London, UK: RunThrough, the UK's largest and Europe’s fastest growing running events company, is proud to unveil its inaugural women's-only running event, the RunThrough Women's 5 and 10k, in partnership with StoneX. Scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 26th, this event will be hosted at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the iconic venue of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in female participation in mass participation events, marking a significant shift in the landscape. Despite initial setbacks, women have emerged as the driving force behind this resurgence, surpassing male participation in 2023 and showing a positive outlook for the future. RunThrough, the UK's largest and Europe's fastest-growing running events company, acknowledges and celebrates this trend by actively promoting inclusivity and introducing women-only events to provide a supportive environment for female runners to feel encouraged to participate and enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits that running can bring. StoneX (NASDAQ: SNEX), a global financial services network, has joined forces with RunThrough as the title partner for this event. Their support underscores their commitment to empowering and supporting women in the workplace, as part of their internal "Women in StoneX" initiatives. Lucy Harfield, Brand and Community at RunThrough, expressed excitement about the event, stating, "We are thrilled to bring this event to life in partnership with StoneX. As industry leaders in running events, we want to lead by example and deliver more events that celebrate and empower women through running. This event aligns perfectly with our ongoing mission to inspire an active nation and create a truly representative running community." The RunThrough Women's 5 and 10k event aims to create an inspiring, safe, and fun environment for women to run together. Regardless of running ability, age, or background, this event offers a unique opportunity for women to come together as a community and celebrate women's running. Rana Khatlan, Events Marketing Specialist at StoneX, amplified the shared excitement over the event, stating, “StoneX is thrilled to announce our partnership with RunThrough for their Women’s 5 and 10k runs. This event perfectly aligns with our Women of StoneX initiative, which aims to empower women, provide a supportive platform for them to thrive, and build community.” Registration for the RunThrough Women's 5 and 10k event is now open, welcoming women of all ages and abilities to join in the celebration of women's running. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a historic event that celebrates female empowerment through sport.

Of course…

I now understand the importance Gary Vaynerchuk places on the word "attention." This is what I felt while visiting the Trail Village at the Mont Blanc Marathon. The Trail Village was full of energy. But all the stands looked the same. There was too much "noise": - Expos are great for reconnecting with friends working for different brands. - The focus was too much on showcasing products. - Each booth blended into the next. - The giveaways were the same as always. What a missed opportunity: - To stand out. - To create new connections. - To initiate new relationships with potential members. - To offer experiences that make people feel: "This could be my brand." There was a "100% focus" on sales/commercial. And you see that there is no connection between the digital and personal customer experience. This is crucial, especially for OUTDOOR sports. We need to shift the focus: From mere acquisition to genuine relationship-building. 🤝 Let's dare to be different. Let's redefine the game. #community #brandexperience #customerexperience #fitness #sports #wellness

Should you include outdoor well-being experiences in your event plans? The good folk at Wyboston Lakes Resort thinks you should! They are working with event organisers so they can integrate ‘personal well-being’ experiences into the core of their event planning. The outdoor experience that Wyboston Lakes has on offer include a nature reserve, a choice of Wellness Walks, Wild at Work Days, and Bat Walks. Skip the event, I would go just for the Wellness Walks and to see bats! More info can be found by following the link in the first comment. #eventprofs #meetingplanner #EventIndustryNews

🌦️ Navigating the Challenges of Outdoor Events 🌟 Outdoor events can be magical, but they come with a unique set of challenges, particularly when it comes to unpredictable weather. The importance of having an experienced team to manage these risks cannot be overstated. Here are some real-life examples that highlight the critical need for swift action and adaptability: • Surya Yoga Festival 2022: Mid-June turned into an unexpected cold snap. Attendees were doing yoga in winter jackets, and our team had to quickly source blankets and warm apparel to keep everyone comfortable. • Big Tee Off for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa 2021: Rain poured down all day, turning the golf course into a challenging terrain. Our team coordinated with vendors and participants to ensure the event continued smoothly despite the downpour. • Dandelion Festival: A hot day turned into a sudden storm. From my vantage point in a golf cart, I watched the storm roll in over thousands of attendees, tents, and stages. Our team swiftly executed our emergency plan, ensuring everyone’s safety and minimizing disruption. • Winery Event: The night before the event, heavy rain created a massive mud puddle right in the middle of our setup area. We had to hire a company to bring in loads of dirt to cover the mud, and our team navigated the site in rain boots with mud up to our ankles. These experiences underscore the necessity of having a seasoned team that can make last-minute decisions and take quick actions to manage sudden weather changes. Whether it’s sourcing additional supplies, coordinating emergency responses, or adapting plans on the fly, our expertise ensures that your outdoor event remains a success, no matter the weather. Ready to partner with a team that can handle the unpredictability of outdoor events (...with a smile 😄)? Visit www.itmevents.ca to learn more about our event management services and how we can help you create memorable, weather-proof events. 🌟 #OutdoorEvents #EventPlanning #WeatherManagement #EventProfs #ResilientEvents

Just home from 5 days in Paris 🇫🇷 Crowds of people from every corner of the globe, marvelling at the incredible accomplishments of fellow humans, cheering, supporting and celebrating people they have never even heard of, standing out of respect for the anthems of countries they may never visit. 💙💛🖤💚♥️ Aside from the incredible sporting achievements and the heartwarming sense of global togetherness, if you're interested in Operations Management, Event Management and Logistics, the Olympics is an absolute masterclass. Paris have clearly learned a lot from London 2012, taking lots of great London ideas and turning up the dial. 💙 Volunteers *everywhere* in fabulous uniforms (great sunhats!) with giant pink sponge fingers pointing the way, cheerily answering your every question in multiple languages 💛 Smooth, fast, clean, reliable public transport with easy to use transport passes and a great route planning app directing you to the least crowded routes. Lots of roads closed to traffic to refocus a busy city onto pedestrians and cyclists. Priority queues at the Metro after big events to get those less able to stand, older people and children onto transport more quickly. 🖤 Unobtrusive but ever present and reassuring security absolutely everywhere - in the venues, on the streets, on the Metro. With a high risk event its tricky to get the balance between security being robust and being 'in your face' - they achieved it perfectly. 💚 Hosting this many visitors over such a long period is tough, never mind organising the sports schedule. Everywhere was clean, tidy, well stocked and well organised. Litter (and recycling) was well managed, outlets at venues were well stocked. Free drinking water stands to fill your bottles at every venue ♥️ Using what they already had to make the most of the city and keep costs down. Nobody minds being in a temporary stand or structure when it's in the centre of the city surrounded by a backdrop of iconic buildings. Further flung venues had great, fast transport and those armies of smiling volunteers to direct you on your journey Having seen football, hockey, cycling and athletics including a world pole vault record and a #TeamGB gold medal, it's time for a break before we start planning our trip to Los Angeles 2028..... #olympics2024 #parisolympics #eventmanagement #olympics #operationsmanagement #events #operations

The outdoors are a great place to host an event. It creates a sense of community and allows for an event with no boundaries (literally). Just like choosing the right venue to enhance your attendees’ experience, the weather surrounding your outdoor event acts the same way. The big difference between an indoor and outdoor event is the unpredictability of your “venue”. This typically increases the cost of outdoor events. Within minutes, your event could change from a clear, sunny day to a thunderstorm or snow. This article will teach you how to properly plan for that moment when your beautiful outdoor event is threatened with bad weather. https://hubs.la/Q02XJ2h_0