You’ve been preparing for this moment for what feels like forever. It’s taken blood, sweat and tears to get here. And now, it all comes down to this.
Executing your live event isn’t unlike competing in the Olympic games. Success requires ambition, commitment, focus, precision and resilience. Do you have the hunger to win? Have you put in the work? Will the details of your performance set you apart? Can you get back on track if things go wrong? Deliver, and you have yourself a gold medal-worthy event.
Though the 2018 Winter Olympics are nearly complete (tear), they have left us thinking about what it takes to plan and pull off a great event.
1. Safety First
The Olympics capture the world’s attention every four years, but not always for the right reasons. At the Munich games in 1972, eight assailants took members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage. The standoff and a subsequent shootout left 17 people dead.
Planning committees have since gone to great lengths to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators alike. PyeongChang reportedly staffed one law enforcement official for every two persons present at the games. Though your event is a less likely target than this international showcase, the security and comfort of attendees should always be a top priority.
Keeping attendees safe and comfortable requires advanced planning, but also a willingness to adapt. Windy conditions have affected many competitions during these winter games. When the women’s snowboard slopestyle final proceeded despite the dangerous conditions, organizers faced backlash. Both men’s and women’s alpine skiing events were subsequently delayed. Like the IOC, you, too, should press pause on any activity that puts participants at risk.
2. Start Strong
As quickly as 1,218 drones came together to create the Olympic rings, the 2018 Winter Games were proclaimed the most technologically advanced ever. The Opening Ceremony was chocked full of tech-treats, from the use of augmented reality to athletes capturing the spectacle on their Samsung-sponsored phones.
PyeongChang wasted no time in establishing its point of differentiation. Nor should you. Kick off your event with an interactive experience, an evocative video or thought-provoking keynote. Lead with whatever sets you apart.
3. Tech Integration
The cutting-edge technology on display during the Opening Ceremony didn’t stop—or start—there. The Games’ 2018 sponsors are a who’s-who in tech: Samsung, Intel, Panasonic, LG. And each have contributed something special for the games. Samsung developed the official Olympics app, a one-stop shop for real-time updates, athlete information, rankings and medal standings. Intel used the PyeongChang as a testing ground for 5G coverage. The network is capable of delivering massive amounts of data at lightning speed, including 30 live event broadcasts via Intel® True VR.
The technology alone is staggering, but its integration impresses us most. From 360-degree cameras to direction-providing robots, the planning committee evaluated how every innovation would benefit the athletes, coaches, spectators and viewers. It’s not an afterthought, an add-on or simply for show – it’s central to how PyeongChang brought the Games to life.
So it should be at any event. Consider tech integration at your event’s inception. A strong WiFi network is a given, but how else can technology enhance the experience? No bells and whistles here. If the latest innovation isn’t relevant or doesn’t provide a direct benefit to attendees, you’re better off leaving it behind.
4. Cultural Relevance
The Olympics’ Instagram account recently featured the story of Petra Majdič. The cross-country skier fell into a ravine during warm-up run at the 2010 Games and broke six ribs. In the semifinals, one of the broken ribs pierced her lung Though she could hardly stand to accept her medal, Majdic participated in the final, winning the bronze.
Her story represents what we love most about the Olympics. They make us feel things nothing else can. We stand in awe of the athletes’ journeys, hold our breath in anticipation, share the heartbreak of defeat, and ride high on the waves of triumph.
Neuroanatomist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor writes, “Most of us think of ourselves as thinking creatures that feel, but we are actually feeling creatures that think.” Her statement applies to the Olympics and to your live event. You will capture the attention of event attendees by capturing their hearts. Pipe in a moving soundtrack, demonstrate how your product creates connection, create an opportunity for participants to feel part of something bigger, share a transformative story. Walk a mile in your attendees shoes. What stories, presentations or experiences do you most want to engage with? Chances are they evoke emotion.
7. Come Together
Under what circumstances do members of 92 different nations meet in the same place at the same time? At the UN… and the Olympics. The verdict is still out on which is better for diplomacy.
If North and South Korea’s competing as a unified team is a view into the future, we have reason to give the Games the nod. One thing is certain: when the Korean women’s hockey team scored their first goal, cheers went up on both sides of the Demilitarized Zone.
Live events inherently bring people together. They present rare opportunities to step outside our respective echo chambers and learn from one another. Can you create an environment for exchanging ideas and developing understanding? Simply serving as host is a great start.
