Creating Engaging Company Events

Over the years, I've learned that true hospitality entails not just delectable food and a lovely setting, but also consistency, personalization, and attention to detail. From the time a guest arrives until they leave, every interaction counts. Whether you're new to the hospitality industry or creating your own concept, here is my ultimate checklist for creating a memorable guest experience: ✔️ First impressions set the tone The moment a guest walks through your doors is the moment their experience begins. Make it count. Make sure to greet them with a smile, eye contact, and enthusiasm that embodies the character of your venue. Within the first few seconds, people remember how you made them feel. ✔️ Anticipate needs before they ask Good service turns into great service at this point. Is your visitor running low on water? Between courses, has the table been waiting too long? Does a frequent visitor have a preferred seat or dish? Teach your staff to watch and respond before a request is made. Proactive service fosters loyalty and demonstrates concern. ✔️ Perfect the little details Often, the smallest things have the greatest effects. Consider how the lighting changes from day to night, how a napkin is folded, or how the music enhances the atmosphere. A unified, unforgettable atmosphere is produced by these details. Every location is created with the intention of telling a story, and the details are what make the tale come to life. ✔️ A strong team = exceptional service Without an empowered, well-trained, and mission-aligned staff, no venue can succeed. Being a host is a team sport. Make an investment in your people. Celebrate your victories. Openly discuss difficulties. Above all, establish a culture in which each team member takes ownership of the visitor experience because their concern is evident. ✔️ Tech should enhance, not replace hospitality Use technology to make things smoother, not colder. Digital tools and AI can help personalize menus, expedite reservations, and increase operational efficiency, but nothing can replace the human touch. Instead of reducing interaction, use technology to free up more time for your team to spend with guests. ✔️ Guests don’t just choose food, they embrace experiences We are now in the experience business rather than the food industry. People go out to experience celebration, comfort, connection, and excitement. Create moments that transcend the plate by planning your areas, your service, and your narrative. That's what makes a new visitor become a devoted regular. A successful F&B venue is about how you make people feel, not just what's on the menu. That’s the heart of hospitality. What do you think? What else would you include on this list? I would be interested in hearing your viewpoint. #HospitalityExcellence #CustomerExperience #HospitalityChecklist #7Management

Networking for Introverts Lessons from my Singapore Management University workshop Networking advice often sounds the same: "Speak up, hand out business cards, follow up within 24 hours." Useful, yes—but let's take it a step further. Here’s the advice that’s helped even the shyest professionals stand out: 1️⃣ Do Recon on Attendees (Without Being Creepy) Before events, research key attendees or speakers on LinkedIn. Note shared interests or recent achievements to weave into conversations. And if Wi-Fi is spotty at events? Save profiles offline for reference. Being prepared makes even the most introverted among us feel in control. 2️⃣ Ask Thoughtful, Unexpected Questions After building some quick rapport, try asking: "What’s the most exciting thing happening in your industry right now?" "If you weren’t in [current role], what would you be doing?" It shows genuine curiosity and sparks meaningful conversations. 3️⃣ It’s not about you—it’s about them. Practice active listening to uncover their hidden professional needs. Ask questions like, “What’s been your biggest challenge this year?” and offer insights or solutions. Giving value leaves a lasting impression. Networking doesn’t have to feel forced or superficial. Introverts can thrive by leveraging their strengths—preparation, thoughtfulness, and a genuine desire to connect. What’s one unorthodox networking tip that’s worked for you? Share it in the comments! 👇

We’ve helped over 3,000,000 attendees check in to events. Here’s what we learned. 1. Coach the check-in staff on how to greet attendees. That’s far more important than how to use the tech. 2. A 2-5 minute line is a good thing. Attendees chat. It warms up the ‘networking juice’. 3. Create a 'service desk' AND put it off to the side. Get people with issues out of line. 4. Let attendees make basic edits from the Kiosk - it will reduce service desk requests by 90%. 5. Make sure your platform supports offline check-in if the internet does go down. 6. If you have a big reg area, have little flags that check-in staff can raise if they need a printer tech to come over and restock. 7. Pre-printing the stock significantly increases print speed onsite. 8. The biggest attendee experience improvements came from events that consolidated registration and badge printing into a single platform. E.g. Accelevents 9. Look for what could go wrong. Story - we were running check-in for an event with 40 kiosks. The power strips were daisy-chained together. One of the check-in staff had a busy foot that unplugged the extension cord TWICE and took out half the printers. 10. Design your badges and do your test prints at least 30 days in advance but still order at least 100 badges for test prints on site. 11. Test crazy-long names, companies, and job titles on your badges. Your badge software should automatically adjust the font size to prevent text wrap. 12. Different roles require different colored shirts. Much easier to find help and route attendees. E.g. Service desk, printer tech, decision maker. 13. Have a plan for walk-ins. 14. Make sure everyone knows who can make executive decisions AND how to find that person. 15. Have a backup for 👆. Reminder: On event day, you can’t do everything. Empower your team to make decisions. There isn’t time to ‘find you’. And finally- Have fun. Attendees pick up on your energy. What did I miss? #events #eventmanagement #eventmarketing

Is it time to say cheers to alcohol-free work events? 🍻 A recent article in the Financial Times highlights an interesting trend: fewer employees want alcohol at workplace events. With nearly 60% of workers skipping after-hours parties due to family obligations or long commutes, it’s clear the classic “booze-fueled office party” may no longer be the best way to bring people together. Here’s the thing: work events are supposed to be inclusive and enjoyable for everyone, right? So, how can companies adapt to make sure everyone feels welcome—and maybe even excited—to attend? Today, more employees want work events that respect their time and values. Approximately 40% of employees say they feel uncomfortable at work events where alcohol is the main attraction, and that number jumps when considering those who don’t drink for religious or health reasons. And let’s face it, the idea of a late-night party might appeal to some, but for others—especially those with kids or long commutes—it's just another hurdle. This is where more thoughtful, inclusive planning can really make a difference. What if I feel pressured to drink in order to feel "part of the team"? 😰 Peer pressure to drink at work events is real, and it can be uncomfortable if you’re trying to cut back or just don’t drink. In fact, studies show that nearly 1 in 3 employees have felt pressured to drink at a work function to “fit in.” But the truth is, you don’t need alcohol to connect. 👉 Alternative solutions for team events Focusing on bringing people together and creating connections, instead of enhancing the "party atmosphere" with booze can go a long way in making your workplace more inclusive. Some ideas: Flexible timing: Consider a weekday lunch or afternoon event that allows everyone to join without impacting their evening. Active gatherings: Hiking, bowling, escape rooms, or even a friendly volunteer day can help create memorable experiences without relying on alcohol. Creative experiences: Organize workshops, cooking classes, or “bring your hobby” days. These foster a sense of team spirit while allowing people to share interests. And, if you're still feeling pressured to drink at the next Christmas party, here are a few ways to feel like you belong - without the booze: Set boundaries politely: If someone offers you a drink, a simple “I’m good with this!” and a smile is often enough. Practicing these gentle responses can go a long way in avoiding awkwardness and staying true to yourself. Focus on conversation starters: Instead of talking over another drink, find topics or icebreakers to shift the focus toward genuine connections. You'll be surprised how many others appreciate it. #Inclusion isn’t just a policy—it’s found in the everyday choices we make to respect and celebrate each other’s differences. It’s in the thoughtfulness behind work events, the flexibility in how we connect, and the small gestures that make everyone feel they belong. #LinkedInNewsEurope #DEI

🚀 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🎮 . I'm all about innovation in corporate training. Last two years, I spent hours diving into the world of gamification. 💡 Why gamification? Because it's a game-changer in employee engagement and skill enhancement. 🌟 To support my thesis, I used two incredible resources: 🎯 Big Think's insights on gamification examples and techniques. 🎯 In-depth analysis from the Institute of Data and Designing Digitally. Find the souces in the Comments. Big Think blew my mind with their coverage of real-life gamification success stories. 👉 Did you know 83% of workers are motivated by gamified training? 📈 And the Institute of Data? Their psychological perspective on gamification is just chef's kiss. 👉 It's all about tapping into our innate desire for achievement and recognition. 🏅 So, how do you start creating gamified solutions for corporate trainings? Let me walk you through: 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽-𝗕𝘆-𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 1️⃣ Identify Your Training Goals: What skills or knowledge are you aiming to enhance? 🎯 2️⃣ Choose the Right Gamification Elements: Think badges, leaderboards, scenarios - the works! 🕹️ 3️⃣ Craft Engaging Storylines: Create narratives that resonate with your employees. 📚 4️⃣ Design Realistic Scenarios: Simulate real-world challenges for hands-on learning. 💼 5️⃣ Implement Reward Systems: Recognize achievements with digital or physical rewards. 🏆 6️⃣ Use VR/AR for Immersive Experiences: Leverage technology for a deeper learning impact. 🌐 7️⃣Measure and Iterate: Track progress, gather feedback, and fine-tune your approach. 🔍 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨; 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨. 🚀 Curious about the detailed techniques and success stories? Dive into the articles on Big Think and Designing Digitally. You won’t regret it! 🔗 🪓 And guess what? This is just the beginning. There's a whole world of possibilities with gamification in corporate training. 🌍 Stay tuned for more insights and breakthroughs in this space. And let’s revolutionize the way we train our workforce! 💪 Let's make learning not just effective, but fun and engaging! 🌟 #CorporateTraining #Gamification #EmployeeEngagement #InnovativeLearning #SkillDevelopment

Big Budgets, Small Impact: Are Your Year-End Parties Missing the Mark? Let’s talk about the elephant in the corporate ballroom: You throw a lavish corporate celebration or year-end party. The food is Michelin-worthy. The decor? Pinterest perfect. The budget? Let’s just say it could’ve funded a team offsite to Bali. And yet, the day after the event, what do you see? ☑️ Employees clocking in, business as usual. ☑️ No afterglow of connection or motivation. ☑️ HR feeling like all that effort didn’t quite land. Here’s the hard truth: It’s not about how much you spend—it’s about how much you connect. The most common complaint I hear from HR teams is this: “Even with great planning, employees don’t fully engage. They show up, smile, and leave without the party making any real difference.” Why? Because engagement isn’t about the size of your budget. It’s about the size of the impact you create. 💡 Here’s the shift: Move from “throwing a party” to creating an experience. Your employees don’t want another DJ or buffet. They want to feel seen, connected, and part of something meaningful. Imagine this instead: ✨ Interactive workshops that let employees create, laugh, and collaborate. ✨ Team-building activities that aren’t just fun but meaningful—sparking real conversation and connection. ✨ Takeaways that stick—whether it’s a jar of memories, a newfound hobby, or a moment they’ll tell their family about over dinner. At CraftCulture, we’ve worked with HR teams who were exhausted by the “party treadmill.” After shifting their focus to curated, creative, and personalized employee experiences, they saw real magic happen. The result? Employees who didn’t just stay for the party but stayed for the mission. This year, let’s rewrite the script. Don’t just host a party—host an experience your team will remember long after the last song ends. Because here’s the thing: If your party doesn’t leave a lasting impact, what’s it really worth?

Some workshops are just expensive entertainment shows tonight. The best facilitators talk less than everyone else. Real learning happens in the quiet moments. Here's why that works better than the flashy presenter who gives you that feel-good dopamine hit. You know the type - high energy, charismatic, gets everyone pumped up in the moment. They give you that feel-good dopamine hit. But here's what I've learned: that buzz fades fast. Real learning?   It happens when you sit with what you've discovered and figure out what it actually means for your daily work. In a recent workshop I conducted, we explored how to flex their communication style - finding the right "voice" for different stakeholders to get better buy-in. #soundwave The goal wasn't for me to have all the answers. Instead, I held space. I asked the right questions. I let the group work through their own challenges together. And that's where the magic happened - in the collective wisdom of the room. People sharing their real experiences, their failures, their small wins. That's the stuff you can't get from any slide deck.' 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 As an introvert, I don't try to be the star of the show. I listen more than I talk. I notice the quiet voices that have something valuable to add. I create room for people to think before they speak. This isn't about being less engaging - it's about being differently engaging. Sometimes the best facilitator is the one who steps back and lets the group teach each other. The workshop is just the starting point. The real transformation happens in the weeks after, when people try new approaches, reflect on what worked, and adjust their methods. That's why follow-up matters. Check-ins. Practice sessions. Space to share what's working and what isn't. Because learning isn't an event - it's a process. If you are a facilitator, how are you supporting your clients in their learning? Would love to trade notes. ♻️ Share this to drive more conversations and learnings among practitioners. Follow Adeline Tiah for content on leadership and future of work

Running a conference in the future - please read this. After attending several conferences and events in the last 12 months, I have found myself exhausted and needing a lot of rest afterwards. I have come to realise these spaces are not neuro-inclusive, so I thought I would share some recommendations. 1. Make sensory-safe spaces the norm Not everyone thrives under fluorescent lights or in bustling networking zones. Provide low-stimulation rooms where people can decompress and reset. 2. Build in buffer time Back-to-back sessions can be dysregulating. Create breathing space in the schedule, longer breaks, pauses between sessions, and asynchronous options to allow rest and reflection. 3. Prioritise layout and flow. Overcrowded booths and noisy foyers are inaccessible for many. Offer seating, create pathways with space, and avoid bottlenecks. 4. Offer multiple communication modes. Not everyone processes information the same way. Use visual timetables, captioned content, quiet Q&A formats, and clear signage to support diverse needs. 5. Ask - and respond. Seek feedback from neurodivergent attendees before and after your event. Implement what you learn. Neuroinclusion isn’t a checklist, it’s a commitment to ongoing learning. If you are interested to learn more about creating neuroinclusion spaces... read my latest Substack: https://lnkd.in/gpFhaMCk #neurodivergent #neuroinclusive #conference

Ever noticed how a comfortable environment sparks the best conversations? One of the key takeaways from my years of experience in community building and public speaking is the importance of making people feel comfortable. Whether it’s during a workshop, a team meeting, or a large conference, creating a welcoming atmosphere encourages open dialogue and meaningful connections. Here are a few tips to make your audience/group feel at ease: 1️⃣ Start with a warm welcome and a personal story. Put yourself out there so they can too. 2️⃣ Foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard. Bring people into the discussion, ask them to share, and listen. 3️⃣ Be approachable and open to questions and feedback; ideally not just at the end but throughout the day or session. How do you make people comfortable in your professional interactions? Please share your tips and stories below. #InclusiveLeadership #CommunityBuilding #PublicSpeaking #ProfessionalGrowth #Engagement #Networking #ConnectionBuilding

🎯 Yesterday’s YPO Germany–Switzerland–Austria Day Chair training turned big ideas into how we actually do it. Amazing insights that make it look so easy but are super hard to execute like a pro. Plus these are frameworks you can (and should) use for any meeting, company event or client workshop. What landed for me: 🪑 The Three-Legged Stool (make every event stand): 📚 Learning — design for actionable takeaways (not keynotes-for-show) 🤝 Networking — engineer peer exchange (tables, rotations, F2F moments) 🎯 Experiencing — offsites/socials that anchor memory & momentum 🧭 E-CODE in practice (not on a slide): 👥 Engage Peers: create a safe haven; use member expertise & peer-to-peer formats 💥 Compel Content: clear outcomes, diverse voices, thought-provoking activities 🧠 Open Minds: multi-sensory, whole-person learning; challenge assumptions 🏁 Deliver Value: know the audience; exceed expectations in planning & follow-through 🌟 Extraordinary Resources: the right facilitators, venues, and tools to lift the bar 🛠️ Sell the event like a pro (the 60-sec Elevator Pitch): ❌ Don’t speak too fast / cram 15 minutes into 1 ❌ Ditch jargon & acronyms—make it understandable ✅ Practice until conversational (human > robotic) ✅ Actually use the pitch to do targeted follow-ups 🔁 Close the loop (so learning compounds): ✚/Δ Plus/Delta at the end → what worked / what to improve 🧪 Separate content feedback from logistics → cleaner signal for next time Events aren’t “nice to have” — they’re our engagement engine for peer-to-peer exchange and new ideas. Proud of this learning group and grateful for an excellent facilitation. 👥 I’ll tag our facilitator and the team on the photo. 👉 Question: What’s one detail you’ve used to turn a good event into a transformational one? #YPO #GSA #Learning #EventDesign #ECODE #Community #BetterLeadersThroughLifelongLearning