Hundreds of event professionals flocked here to the Reagan Building on August 3, all taking part in BizBash’s annual Elevate DC. If you’re in the events industry and didn’t get the chance to attend, the one-day conference featured a series of interactive workshops and breakout sessions highlighting the latest trends, marketing rules, and design tips for creating “game-changing” events. The morning’s notable speakers, included Christopher Speron (Human Rights Campaign) and Jason Siegel (BlueText) who focused primarily on event branding, smashing fundraising goals and improving trade shows or association events.
While the morning workshops covered topics relevant to event planners anywhere, the lunch panel was especially unique to professionals in the Washington, DC. As guests dined on a delicious three-course meal catered by our team (TCMA), BizBash’s Executive Editor Beth Kormanik led a panel discussion exploring the historic and need-to-know information for planning events surrounding the Inauguration in the District. With the help of former president of the Presidential Inaugural Committee Steve Kerrigan, Eric Michael of Occasions Caterers, and Ron Bracco of Hargrove, Inc., attendees gained valuable tips such as how to honor the next President (without knowing who it will be), juggling budget constraints, the priorities and logistics of large-scale events with VIPs, and the ways to amplify one’s brand during the festivities.
The afternoon sessions resumed with resounding topics like the importance of engaging attendees and guests through multi-sensory experiences and leveraging technology to improve live experiences. As many of the attendees represented event companies with a technological backbone, this message was heard loud and clear. “I loved being able to walk around and see all the exhibitors because there is a lot of really great, new types of companies supporting events,” explained Neekola Gallub, CEO of Pelonkey, a digital booking agency for event talent. “I got to learn all about them, meet the people behind the wheel and the technology that supports them.”
Elevate DC’s grand finale was the cocktail hour, where businesses had the opportunity to showcase their brands with booths that lined the room. As guests mingled and sampled appetizers such as Sea Bean Risotto and Socca, there was an undeniable sense of excitement in the air. Attendees continued to buzz with inspiration, deriving this electric feeling from fellow conference-goers who’s businesses speak the same language as theirs. “My favorite thing was going around and meeting the different people here as well as the networking opportunities,” said Sarah Petersen of Goodshuffle, a search engine for event rentals and supplies. “I met a lot of really interesting people I hadn’t met before and a lot of really good potential business partners.”
Learn more about Elevate DC 2016 and check out this year’s event sponsors below.
- Video Recap – Elevate DC, presented by BizBash
- What I learned from listening at BizBash Elevate DC – Angela Harar, CEM, Senior Director of Shows, The Vision Council and Chair, IAEE MATSO Council
- Attracting Attention In a Buyer’s Market – Mary-Morgan Limperis , Events Manager at Cision
- What I Learned at #ElevateDC – The BizBash Event Planner Conference – Lisa Nelson, See in Colors
- Presentation: 5 New Social Media Rules Infused Event Digital Marketing – Jason Siegel, Bluetext
