Marek Truumaa 🌎’s Post

💡 Expert Insight: Unveiling the Event Lineup 💡 Storytelling is the heartbeat of every successful event, weaving a narrative that captivates and engages attendees. Here's some expert advice to elevate your event planning game: 1️⃣Craft a Compelling Narrative:  Your event lineup isn't just a list of activities, it's a story waiting to unfold. Think about the journey you want your attendees to experience, from anticipation to fulfilment.  ✅Example: Imagine a music festival lineup that starts with mellow acoustic sets, gradually building up to electrifying headliners, creating a crescendo of excitement and energy. 2️⃣Create Clear Signposts:  Make it easy for attendees to navigate your lineup. Use concise descriptions and well-defined categories to guide them through the event experience. ✅Example: Group your sessions into themed tracks or color-code different stages to help attendees quickly identify their must-see sessions. 3️⃣Build Anticipation:  Tease your lineup in advance to generate buzz and excitement. Drop hints about surprise guests, exclusive performances, or can't-miss experiences to keep attendees eagerly awaiting the big reveal. ✅Example: Release teaser trailers featuring snippets of performers' music or sneak peeks of keynote speakers to build anticipation and drive ticket sales. Remember, your event lineup sets the stage for an unforgettable experience. You'll leave attendees eagerly counting down the days until your next event. 🌟 #EventPlanning #ExpertInsight #Splento #Lineup #Storytelling #Events

How? What? Uh? Marketing, tourism, and B2B tech…oh my! People who know very little about SXSW often think of it as a music-focused festival with startup and digital elements somehow weaved in. However, from my perspective, it is a marketing, tourism, and tech paradise. SXSW allows you to amass a large amount of information quickly. It’s a place to learn from others and be your best creative self. Who would have thought a music industry event would morph into a complex 7+ day schedule that includes 3 festivals (music, film & TV, comedy) with over 1,500 artists and 75+ stages and a conference with over 1,100 sessions (450+ sessions curated from the global community), 24 tracks, and 10 programming formats? And guess what? Layer on the fact that an estimated 300,000+ people were milling around Austin soaking in all that SXSW 2024 had to offer…..it’s mind-blowing! Only in hindsight can I give myself grace (and perhaps a cocktail) as an SXSW newbie. It’s no wonder narrowing down what you will attend and who you will actively seek to engage with is a magnitude of difficulty. Here are only a few of the sessions or events I missed but heard good things about: ·   Creative Industries Expo ·   The São Paulo Experience ·  Tulsa House which included FMAC at Tulsa Regional Tourism, Build in Tulsa, Atento Capital, Tulsa Remote & more ·   Pura Vida Experience by Essential Costa Rica ·   The Battle to Honor Native and Black Cultural Heritage with Devon Henry, Chief Anne Richardson, Greg Werkheiser ·   Annual ‘All Things Food Summit’ in partnership with Huston-Tillotson University - Austin, Texas, Driscoll's and Barr Mansion & Artisan Ballroom ·   Disability Made Sexy: Capturing a Global Market of 1.3 Billion People (and becoming a better person in the process) with Dylan Alcott OAM ·   Mentor Sessions The plan is to share another post related to the events I attended, so stay tuned. I’m still processing it all. #entrepreneurship #marketing #oellc #sxsw

When is the busiest time when organizing a festival? Is it during the festival itself or the weeks leading up to it? In the past two years, when our festival took place, I spent most of the event just walking around the festival area, chatting with others. It’s not the typical image you might have of an organizer at a festival, right? For me, the busiest period actually starts 8-11 months before the event. That’s when I’m actively reaching out to potential speakers, having regular calls, and selecting the right ones. Of course, the month or two before the festival is intense, but once everything that can be planned ahead is planned, even in the weeks leading up to the event, there’s still time to sleep, train, and enjoy life beyond that one event. So as the saying goes, proper planning prevents poor performance and that is what helps us to be sustainable with team members' health too. What would you change in the event industry that would make people's lives and well-being more sustainable? #actforimpact

"It's the good times that attract new talent and aspiring entrepreneurs to the industry." Here are The Fair CEO Nick Morgan's top ten tips for anyone hoping to make it in the industry. #festivals #events #entrepreneurship #festivalseason #eventindustry

Last week, I had the privilege of spending two days at the jump.global summit, a transformative music conference aimed at making the industry more human. Invited by the incredible founders Nick Maiale and JJ Farrell, I was surrounded by brilliant minds, big hearts, and a collective drive to create meaningful change in our field. This experience wasn’t just about panels or networking—it was about connection. To be honest, I didn’t necessarily learn anything new. What I did gain was something even more valuable: a deep reaffirmation of my place in this industry. Ten years in, I often feel like I’m behind or not doing enough. But this summit reminded me that I’m not just okay—I’m more than okay. I’ve been building something real and impactful, and I left feeling both grounded and motivated to keep going. Along the way, I had the honor of befriending incredible people from around the world who share the same values. It was inspiring to see how aligned we all were in wanting to push the industry forward and make it a better, more inclusive space for everyone. To Nick, JJ, and the entire jump.global team: Thank you for the vision, the space, and the invitation. What you’re building isn’t just a conference—it’s a movement. For anyone in the industry (or hoping to join it), I cannot recommend experiences like this enough. Surround yourself with people who challenge, inspire, and uplift you. Take the time to connect with others, not just professionally but as human beings. You’ll leave feeling empowered, seen, and reminded of your worth. Here’s to making the music industry a more human place for us all.

Despite recent headlines highlighting festival cancellations, out in the fields audiences are sharing incredible festival moments on socials and Glastonbury kicks off tomorrow. It's the good times that attract new talent and aspiring entrepreneurs to the industry. With that in mind, here are my top ten tips for anyone considering taking the leap and joining us. 1. Hard Work Pays Off Success in this industry doesn't come easy. Be ready to work hard and pay attention to every detail, from permits to logistics. 🎓 2. Find a Mentor There's not much formal support, so find a mentor who believes in your unique ideas and business plan. Their guidance can be a game-changer. 🌍 3. Conquer New Territories If you're thinking about launching a festival in a new perhaps less established market, find a local partner you can trust. They can help you navigate language barriers and the local scene. 🛠️ 4. Client First, Investment Second Don’t invest in a new market without doing your due diligence or having a client/backer lined up. Ensure there's demand before committing resources to avoid burning through your capital. ⏳ 5. Brace for Long Hours Be prepared for long hours and time away from home. Effective time management and delegation are key to maintaining balance. 🎭 6. Compete Relentlessly As an entrepreneur your up against the competition. From the quality of your audience experience or creativity, to making a decent profit. 🔍 7. Know Your Strengths Understand your strengths and weaknesses and be brutally honest. Skill up don’t be afraid to recruit more experienced people in your area of weakness. 🧘 8. Hold Your Nerve Consistency is crucial. Stay steady and consistent, even when things get tough. Resilience will help you navigate setbacks. 💡 9. Value Failure Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Analyse what went wrong and use those insights to improve. This fosters continuous growth and innovation. 🚀 10. Keep Innovating Innovation keeps your festival fresh and exciting. Stay updated with industry trends, experiment with new ideas, and take calculated risks. Adapting to changing audience preferences ensures your festival stays relevant and successful.

https://buff.ly/3vh8ZWt Despite facing financial difficulties, larger gatherings are still attracting a substantial number of participants, with a noticeable increase in attendance rates. This trend suggests that despite financial limitations, the allure and excitement of events are on the rise. One possible explanation for this trend could be the growing interest in unique event experiences and networking opportunities that these gatherings provide. In today's digital age, where virtual connections are abundant but face-to-face interactions are limited, individuals are placing more importance on the chance to meet and connect with others in person. Furthermore, event organizers are demonstrating more ingenuity in their approaches, offering innovative solutions to make events more accessible and appealing to a wider audience. Incorporating technologies like live streaming or virtual reality experiences can help bridge the gap for those unable to attend physically, ultimately increasing overall participation rates.

Why do I still bet on creative conferences? In a world where the digital and physical realms increasingly intertwine, the value of creative conferences has never been more pronounced. I've spent years studying, organizing, and promoting these gatherings because they are more than mere events; they are transformative experiences that reshape culture and the social fabric. With SXSW London coming up soon, the rebirth of MIDEM+ or the expansion of Amsterdam Dance Event beyond electronic music, these gatherings are paving the way for blending art, performance, science, and technology, creating ecosystems where professionals and creatives converge to foster innovation. Festivals such as Primavera Sound or Advanced Music, S.L. take a hybrid approach, combining a strong music lineup with B2B opportunities, offering a bit more than the traditional showcase festivals. These events are essential for discovering new talents and facilitating industry connections, but do they really accelerate the transformation of the industry? Then there are the traditional fairs, which, in an effort to stay relevant, engage consumer brands to create a 'cool' factor, often incorporating elements from their more avant-garde counterparts to attract a broader audience. I'm thinking of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) or IFA Berlin partnering with TNW to build startup programs. The landscape is further enriched by the emergence of events like ComplexCon and VeeCon... the new kids on the block. These platforms are redefining the conference experience by merging pop culture with industry insights, appealing to both consumers and professionals. They learned from the successes of Lance Fensterman who redefined business events for the masses with ReedPop. Or Karl-Heinz Müller with Bread & Butter back in the day. Amidst this evolving ecosystem, there is ample room for innovators to craft new experiences. We aim to build conferences that not only provide networking opportunities but also serve as a crucible for cultural evolution and a laboratory for societal transformation. Reflecting on an article I wrote in 2017, the passion for events that blur the lines between categories and genres remains (link in the comments). As the event industry continues to move towards an interdisciplinary approach, traditional formats are being reimagined. The quest for attention now requires event producers to seek inspiration from creative conferences, aiming to energize their audiences with fresh perspectives on interaction and knowledge sharing. It's not about attending more conferences; it's about selecting the ones that truly matter—the ones that will change your perspective on life and business. #CreativeConferences #Innovation #Culture #TechEvents Sesamers

So, I didn't think I'd ever post about a T-Pain concert on LinkedIn, but I couldn't resist. I had the unique opportunity to witness this guy absolutely own a stadium full of people last night in Kansas City (thank you Joshua James and Social House Entertainment) and was reminded of a key thing we sometimes forget about in events. Connecting the guest experience from the stage is everything. 1. Create an emotion - Whether you're talking about emotional intelligence, fintech, healthcare, or frankly any other sort of topic, people want to enjoy themselves. It doesn't have to be a concert, but what can you add to your event that gets people talking, creates a unique feeling, or just brings joy in some form? Kathryn Frankson's team at Money20/20 does this exceptionally well. Go follow their page as they're about to hold their European event and then will be marketing their U.S. event. Liz Lathan, CMP is also an absolute gem in this space. 2. Who's on the stage matters greatly - The whole lineup during the evening was great, but T-Pain was just different. He talked with the crowd, engaged them, danced, sang, rapped, he is absolutely an entertainer and had the crowd in it from the first second until the last. (Side note: he has one of the best singing voices I've ever heard.) This is why I love keynote speaking and emceeing so much. There is just a natural comfort I have when being on the stage and engaging crowds. You see that with others like Jeff Civillico, CSP, CPAE and Courtney Stanley who do a fantastic job with their audiences. When you're putting someone in charge of leading the flow from the stage, make sure they're the right fit. 3. Use different mediums - Sure, he sang, danced, and worked the crowd masterfully, but there were also audio/visual interludes (video, graphics, etc.), the lighting was superb, and even something that's very hit or miss like a fog machine was done perfectly. How are you leveraging various mediums in your event? Companies like Encore, Digital Sound Systems, Inc. (DSS, Inc.), Platinum XP, and Heroic Productions are excellent as far as this goes. If you get a chance to see him in concert, please go, although it may be hard as most of his shows are already sold out. This is what guest experience and entertainment does. #eventprofs #entertainment #clientexperience

🌟 The Power of Events: Beyond the Stage and Screen 🌟 (The untold story of how events shape our communities) In the event and entertainment industry, we often focus on the economic impact, logistics, and creating unforgettable experiences. But there’s a dimension we sometimes overlook—the deep psychological and emotional impact our work has on communities. 🎭 Creating Shared Experiences Events are not just gatherings; they are shared experiences that unite people, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Whether it’s a music festival, a corporate event, or a cultural celebration, these moments become collective memories that strengthen social bonds. 🎤 Inspiring and Uplifting Entertainment has the unique ability to inspire and uplift. It offers an escape, a source of joy, and sometimes even a platform for self-expression. In challenging times, entertainment can provide solace and hope, reminding us of our resilience and capacity for joy. 💬 Sparking Conversations Great events and entertainment often spark important conversations—about culture, art, and even social issues. They can challenge perspectives, ignite creativity, and drive change. The ripple effects of a well-executed event extend far beyond its immediate audience. As professionals in this industry, we have the privilege of creating these powerful moments. Let’s continue to focus not only on logistics and economics but also on the lasting emotional and psychological impact we can make. Curious... How have you seen events and entertainment impact people on a deeper level? P.S. If this resonated with you, consider resharing ♻️. #EventManagement #EntertainmentIndustry #CommunityBuilding #EmotionalImpact #Inspiration #SharedExperiences #introevents