Hey event organizers, are you looking for innovative ways to enhance the experience of your attendees and redefine the event space? Look no further than digital technologies! According to a recent study, the use of digital technologies is not a substitute for traditional events, but rather a means to enhance them.
Case studies of four different events showcased how digital technologies can be transformative in expanding and enhancing businesses. For example, KrixRun’s RAD event used a new platform for virtual runs, which not only allowed for the registration of participants and their run times, but also created a community of over 10,000 users, who completed over 100,000 virtual run challenges. The website also allowed for better partnership integration with charity organizations and helped raise over 135.000 EUR.
Bergen International Festival (BIF) embraced a hybrid model in 2021, consisting of 76 events, where 30 were high-quality cinematic productions that visitors could virtually attend for a price. BIF also brought art pieces to atypical locations such as care homes, addiction centers, nurseries, hospitals, psychiatric wards, asylum centers, crisis centers, prisons, day centers for adults with learning difficulties and schools for children with learning difficulties. They also incorporated the concept of “Art Gift,” where audiences can book micro performances (5 min) at suitable places in Bergen.
As for government assistance, it can be both a catalyst and a crutch in times of uncertainty. The Danish cases (FCM, RAD) had not received government assistance and had not given this any thought when conceptualizing their events, reiterating how their focus had been on what the fans/average runners needed during the lockdown. BIF had received government assistance three days prior to its 2020 launch, following several rounds of dialogue with the Arts Council Norway, and SF had received government assistance a year after the festival was held, which had also followed several applications to the council.
While government assistance can help, there is a need for a better dialog and understanding between event organizers and the council. Event organizers need someone with both operational and managerial experience in events and festivals who could understand the inner workings of hosting events, not just accountants balancing spreadsheets.
In conclusion, the use of digital technologies and government assistance can be transformative in enhancing and expanding businesses in times of uncertainty. So go ahead, get creative, and redefine the event space!
Article based on the 2021 research of Christian Dragin-Jensen, Grzegorz Kwiatkowski, Vilde Hannevik Lien, Luiza Ossowska, Dorota Janiszewska and Dariusz Kloskowsk and Marianna Strzelecka “Event innovation in times of uncertainty”