Meetings

Daily Buzz: Sky-High Inspiration for Your Next Conference

Marie Claire brought networking to new heights. Here’s what you can learn from its unique meeting. Also: standing out in a sea of content.

If your association’s networking events feel a bit stale, take meeting inspiration from Marie Claire. The magazine recently hosted its fourth annual Power Trip, a 36-hour invitation-only networking conference for women, which took place partially in the sky.

The conference, which included 200 entrepreneurs, executives, and investors, started off with a special United Airlines flight from Newark to San Francisco—complete with champagne, spa treatments, high-priced giveaways, and plenty of time to mingle.

“By the time the plane touched down at SFO, voices had gone hoarse and inboxes had filled,” Sheila Marikar writes in The New York Times.

After the flight, it was time for panel discussions with celebrity guests, a cocktail hour, and dinner capped off with an “Insta-worthy cake cutting and sprinkle explosion,” among other events.

“This has been a breath of fresh air,” attendee Bertha González Nieves, CEO of Casa Dragones, told Marikar. “It was less about the content and more about the people.”

Marie Claire’s spin on the traditional conference offered its attendees unique experiences at every turn. The result? A more connected experience, according to Marikar.

“Some women cried while doing a mindfulness-tinged cardio dance workout in the middle of a baseball stadium. Smiles that had been polite the day before now seemed more sincere,” Marikar says. “There was a sober, morning-after taking stock of the fact that the person you’d spoken to openly about your goals and dreams was a stranger just 24 hours ago.”

The takeaway: Provide memorable experiences at your networking events. Your attendees will take notice.

Content’s Secret Weapon: Relatability

How can you stand out in the sea of content? Drive home your connection with your audience, because the future of marketing is relatability, said Brian Fanzo, keynote speaker at Content Marketing World.

According to a recent recap of his remarks at the conference last fall, Fanzo shared the story of his father’s small yogurt shop in Virginia Beach, including how it stayed successful even after Dairy Queen arrived in town.

“In the end, the Fanzo frozen yogurt shop not only survived, it thrived. Brian’s dad wasn’t running a business so much as he was building a community,” Dennis Shiao explains in a post on the Content Marketing Institute website. “His dad knew the importance of telling your story and connecting with people at a deep level.”

Other Links of Note

In a personal or professional rut? It’s time to simplify, suggests Association Success.

Social media crowdsourcing is a great way to generate ideas and understand your members. The Sprout Social blog offers tips on how to do it right.

How can your nonprofit website spur your members to action? Create an online experience that is cohesive and coherent, says Sarah Henry on the Wild Apricot blog.

(aapsky/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Michael Hickey

By Michael Hickey

Michael Hickey is a contributor to Associations Now. MORE

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