How I Find Inspiration By Keeping My Eyes Open

Post written by Missy Johnson, Principal, MJMeetings, LLC | Meetings Consultant | Gourmet Food & Wine Enthusiast | Sports Fan

As a meeting planner, I’m the worst type of attendee to someone else’s event or meeting. Why? Because I’m always looking around and analyzing the final product, the a/v production pieces and the overall look and feel of the event.

But lately, I’ve been looking around at other events with an eye towards inspiration for new twists on my own meetings and events. Here are just a few examples:

The 67th Annual Emmy Awards

While watching the 67^th Annual Emmy Awards Show a few weeks back, I noticed a few things I could incorporate into my own meetings. For those who also watched, you might have noticed that the award nominees were all seated towards the front of the theater and on the ends of rows. This makes for easy and quick access to the stage for the winners and less waiting for the audience.

Also, the live band was arranged on a large platform above the main stage. I’m sure it was expensive to create but it gave me an idea to arrange live performers on balconies or high platforms above the main stage at my own events.

A Taste of Leawood

While attending A Taste of Leawood, a fundraiser done by the Leawood Chamber of Commerce, I was pleasantly surprised by the natural flow of the event and the lack of bottle-necking around the restaurants who were sampling food for guests.

The clear signage hung high above all food tents was easily visible from near and far and told guests exactly who was sampling food at each tent. Signage can often make or break and event if done well or done poorly. It’s great when you can get it right and this event did.

The Kansas City Royals

As a HUGE Kansas City Royals fan, I’m obviously very involved in watching the daily happenings of the team and keeping up with what’s going on. I’ve taken inspiration from the Royals organization on effective email marketing as they do an amazing job of staying in touch with their fans through e-marketing.

Since I’ve purchased game tickets from the team, I’m signed up to receive their marketing emails. Not only do I get messages about purchasing tickets at discounted rates for upcoming games, but I get reminders to vote for my favorite players in national award races, discount codes to purchase team gear through their online store, and messages of thanks for simply being a fan. The key takeaway is to stay in touch regularly and sometimes just reach out to say hello.

It’s cool how you can just look around at the things you see on a daily basis and draw inspiration for your own life and work from the people and events you immerse yourself in.

You just have to be looking for it!