Great Events Cvent

Ever wondered how your most memorable student events were made?

Well, in this episode of Great Events, host Rachel Andrews and Stacey Sheppard are joined by Sam Bethel, University of San Francisco’s Digital Communications Manager, and they cover just that. 

They discuss how the University of San Francisco centralizes its approach to event planning and execution to ensure a seamless, branded experience from student orientation to alumni reunions.

Sam shares strategies for leveraging event technology like Cvent to streamline operations, encourage student engagement and participation, and foster lifelong university connections.

Here are some key takeaways:
Learn how USF's unique approach to centralized event planning fosters consistency and engagement across diverse audiences.Uncover best practices for creating and implementing event templates that can be customized to suit different departments and needs.Understand the importance of a holistic, 'care for the whole person' approach in higher education events and how it can be applied to corporate events. Explore ways to measure event success beyond registration numbers, ensuring meaningful participation and long-term engagement.Draw inspiration from real-world examples, like the successful career retreat at Google's office, to enhance your own event planning processes.
Whether you're an event enthusiast, creator, or innovator, Sam shares his tips on what makes a great event strategy and how they do it at USF.

Are your events and content truly accessible for all who’d like to participate?

In honor of tomorrow’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we’re dedicating this episode of Great Events to just that - improving event accessibility. 

And we have just the expert to help us. 

Stephen Cutchins, Senior Manager of Accessibility at Cvent, has been working in accessibility for over twenty years. In this episode, he sits down with Host Felicia Asiedu to share his latest insights. 

They discuss how creating inclusive and accessible events can not only better serve a diverse audience but also significantly boost business revenues. We'll also explore the tangible steps and strategies organizers can implement for better inclusivity. 

Plus, Stephen shares about upcoming initiatives, including a groundbreaking “No Attendee Left Behind” webinar and the exciting launch of his book "The Big Book of Event Accessibility." 

So, whether you're a seasoned event planner or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable information that will help you ensure no attendee is left behind. 

Here are a few key takeaways from Part 1:

Companies that are more accessible make 60% more revenue than companies that are not inclusive of people with disabilities. That’s a remarkable return on the roughly 2% extra it costs to make your products more accessible.The first step to better accommodating event attendees with disabilities is to ask them what they need. Not sure what to say? Ask if they require ADA (American Disabilities Act) accommodations and, if they do, inquire about specific needs. While fantastic tools can help, a planner’s top priority should be ensuring that their software enables them to create accessible content. 

You may think university events are just a small, normal piece of a university's student life and marketing plan. 

But what if we told you that it's actually vital to create a long-lasting relationship with that student, who then continues into their journey as a professional adult and alumnus?

This is why we’re dedicating a special two-part episode of Great Events to investigating the impact of events on education.

Join us as Host Alyssa Peltier sits down to discuss this unique topic with Stacey Sheppard, Senior Manager of Solutions Marketing at Cvent. 

In part one of our conversation, we explore the entire lifecycle of a student and the lasting impact of strategic event planning on the university experience. We also discuss the evolution of campus tours, the various departments that planners come from within universities, and the critical role of virtual events post-pandemic. 

So, whether you're a student, an educator, or an event enthusiast, this is one episode you won’t want to miss. 

Here are a few key takeaways from Part 1:
Higher Ed events can lead to lifelong loyalty in the student lifecycle. One university found that if a person participated in an event as a student, they were 80% more likely to be active, engaged, and philanthropic alumni. Experiences that engage and excite students virtually and in person are more likely to improve students’ experience and appreciation for the university.No matter if it's corporate or educational, customizing events for your audience is key to success.

What does a successful event really boil down to? Effective planning and preparation. 

Join Paulina Giusti and Robin Clark, Senior Manager of Trade Shows and Event Marketing at Cvent, as they delve into sales enablement and engagement, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between marketing and sales.

Robin gives an insider look at how detailed tracking of the attendee experience at Cvent CONNECT — encompassing session engagement, survey feedback, and appointments — equips sales reps with the narratives they need for follow-up that resonates.

We discuss setting clear, actionable goals for different business lines and ensuring team members are aware and fully understand their targets in a post-pandemic landscape with steady growth.

Tune in to understand how important it is for sales and client service teams to be armed with the right information pre-registration and throughout the promotion to capably field questions and nudge early registrations.


Here are a few takeaways:
Collecting detailed attendee journey data will empower marketers to craft personalized follow-up narratives for sales reps, fostering deeper connections and potential sales.The partnership between sales and marketing teams is crucial for event success. Advocating for open communication, goal alignment, and early planning to create a cohesive strategy will help you avoid task overload and maximize team talents.Ensure your sales and client services teams are prepared to promote events and engage with potential attendees. Strategic timeline management helps ensure a successful event by fostering early interest and confidence.

Have you made a habit of prioritizing sustainability? 

In the events industry, it’s much-discussed, but action is key. As Great Events host Alyssa Peltier says, “When it comes to sustainability, a zero excuses policy is the best policy.” 

In this episode, Alyssa joins fellow hosts Rachel Andrews and Felicia Asiedu to discuss insights shared by Cassidy Knowles, Group Managing Director of Chorus Creative Group. 

From Chorus's spectacular sustainability efforts to the small steps each individual can take, this conversation is packed with actionable advice. 

Here are a few takeaways:
Ask: How can we reduce first? It’s about the best money-saving strategy for the organization's people and the planet. Start small: With large organizations, one policy change that can be rolled out across that sea of events is significant. Begin to institutionalize things, and that institutionalization becomes a cultural shift. There’s always more to learn, and—to that end—Cassidy suggests visiting the B Corp website and filling out an initial survey. 

Content doesn't have to go to waste. 

Rather, its shelf life and value can increase over time.
In this episode of Great Events, join host Felicia Asiedu and content strategist Victoria Akinsowon as they dive deep into the art of repurposing event content. 

They discuss practical tips for identifying the most resonant event themes/messages and how to repurpose them into various formats––from turning event sessions into engaging blog posts to creating captivating video snippets for social media.

They also tap into the significance of audience feedback and use real-time insights from events to guide your content strategy. They leverage tools like AI for efficient content repurposing and share insights into measuring the success of your repurposed content across different platforms.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to utilize your event content to the fullest potential by using real-time audience insights and feedback to create meaningful contentHow to leverage a variety of content formats and channels to extend the lifespan and reach of your event contentHow to stay agile in measuring and adapting your content's impact across different channels