Not The Same As Last Year

Clare Forestier
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hi, I'm Clare Forestier, your guide to shaking up business events. Welcome to Not the Same as Last Year, where we ditch the predictable to focus on attendee-first experiences. Every week, we challenge the norm, offering tips to create events your attendees will love, alongside insights from event rebels. Ready to make your corporate events unforgettable? Join the movement. Let's transform audiences together!

  1. 07/27/2025

    Making Events Neuro-Inclusive

    Most event organisers aren’t trying to exclude people. But when it comes to neurodivergent attendees, that’s exactly what’s happening – unless you're planning with inclusion in mind from the very beginning. In this episode, Clare chats with Andy Williamson, founder of Welcome Brain, about what a neuro-inclusive event actually looks like (and what it doesn’t). They talk about why making your event accessible for different types of brains isn’t just ethical – it’s practical. It increases your potential audience, boosts attendee satisfaction, and doesn’t have to blow the budget. Expect honest chat about small changes that make a big difference, why slapping a coloured lanyard on someone isn’t the solution, and how asking for advice (instead of feedback) can go a long way. What we cover: – Why “we’ve never had any neurodivergent attendees” is a self-fulfilling prophecy – The 3-tier checklist that helps you plan better events (even if your budget is zero) – What not to do when trying to be inclusive (hint: don’t out people with a lanyard) – How filming a 15-minute “how to get here” video makes a surprising difference – The real reason your event space might feel like a battery farm – Why including people is, funnily enough, the essence of inclusion – How small acts of empathy boost connection and attendee loyalty Chapters: 00:00 – What we mean by neuro-inclusion 02:19 – Andy’s background & why Welcome Brain exists 04:04 – Personalising events for how adults actually work 05:17 – 85% of neurodivergent people are skipping your event – here’s why 08:30 – It’s not just ‘them’ – most of us benefit from more human events 09:27 – Good intentions that go wrong 11:34 – Personalisation, empathy, and how the checklist works 13:09 – Ask your attendees: how can we make this better? 14:09 – Why lived experience matters in the planning team 15:25 – The disability comparison: visible vs invisible needs 16:43 – No-budget options: start with the Silver tier 18:15 – Tackling scepticism and “we’ve never had anyone ask…” 20:08 – Rethinking networking and connection 21:56 – Breaking away from warehouse layouts and long-term venue contracts 23:16 – Why the events industry is actually well placed to lead on this 25:33 – Final thoughts: the small things really do matter Find out more: 🧩 The free neuroinclusion checklist: welcomebrain.com 📧 Contact Andy: andy@welcomebrain.com mentioned eventwell https://eventwell.org/ Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE Connect with Clare: WEBSITE LINKEDIN YOUTUBE

    29 min

  2. 06/12/2025

    Behind The Mic: Fixing On-Stage Roles

    Why do so many B2B panels fall flat? Why do keynote sessions sometimes miss the mark—despite having great speakers? And why is no one quite sure who’s in charge on stage? In this episode, Clare Forestier is joined by Richard John—COO of Realize and co-author of the new white paper Behind the Mic: A Definitive Guide to On-Stage Roles at Events. Together, they tackle one of the biggest problems in B2B events: role confusion. From misused moderators to misplaced MCs, we discuss why assuming any good speaker can fill any on-stage role is a costly mistake—and how organisers can stop making it. Expect: Some gentle ranting (well, Richard is involved) A breakdown of key on-stage roles and their unique competencies Practical tips to match the right talent to the right format And an honest look at why getting this right transforms audience experience Whether you’re an organiser, speaker, or simply someone who's sat through one-too-many awkward panels, this one’s for you. Mentioned in this episode: Behind the Mic: A Definitive Guide to On-Stage Roles at Events Realize agency – https://realize.me.uk Clare’s work as a B2B event MC, moderator and podcast host Elling Hamso and the Event ROI Institute https://eventroi.org/about-us/ Guest Bio: Richard John is COO of Realize and an events industry veteran with decades of experience training exhibitors, developing speaker talent, and coaching organisers. He’s known for his blunt honesty, his passion for better event design—and his relentless love of a bad dad joke. Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE Connect with Clare: WEBSITE LINKEDIN YOUTUBE

    40 min

  3. 04/28/2025

    Rethinking Swag for Better Attendee Experience

    Swag isn’t the enemy — badly thought-out swag is. In this short but punchy episode, Clare Forestier asks event organisers to rethink their approach to giveaways. Instead of cluttering up attendees’ lives (and landfills) with throwaway items, what if we used swag to enhance the attendee experience and leave a meaningful impression? Tune in for a fresh perspective on how to make your event giveaways memorable for the right reasons. What You’ll Learn: Why swag isn’t inherently a problem — bad swag is.How to flip your mindset and use swag to deepen attendee engagement.A simple test to decide whether your giveaway will be a hit or a miss. Perfect For: Event planners, exhibition organisers, marketing teams, and anyone tired of handing out (or receiving) useless tat. check out the other ideas in the comments on my original post here: https://bit.ly/ClareForestierSwagLinkedIn check out what CrowdComms are up to here: https://www.crowdcomms.com/ Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE Connect with Clare: WEBSITE LINKEDIN YOUTUBE

    11 min

  4. 03/24/2025

    Sponsor-Friendly AND Audience-First? It IS Possible

    In this episode of Not the Same as Last Year, Clare is joined by seasoned event sales and sponsorship expert Richard Morris, who’s been transforming how sponsors show up at events for over 25 years. From tired sponsorship packages to cringeworthy on-stage moments, Clare and Richard explore the very real tension between what sponsors want and what audiences need. They share ways to shift the story—from last-minute fixes to building a better approach from the start. This one’s a must-listen for planners tired of hearing “but that’s what we sold them,” and for anyone trying to align commercial goals with a quality attendee experience. What’s Inside: Why "gold/silver/bronze" sponsorship tiers often do more harm than goodHow to avoid the “same as last year” trapTactical ways to tweak sponsor involvement (even if everything’s already been agreed)How content teams and sales can work together, not in silosWhy sponsors need help looking good on stage — and how you can give it to themHorror stories (hello, business card in webcam) and how to avoid becoming one Resources: 👉 Connect with Richard Morris on LinkedIn 👉 Want help reworking your sponsor strategy? Drop Clare a message or visit www.clareforestier.com Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE Connect with Clare: WEBSITE LINKEDIN YOUTUBE

    30 min

  5. 03/12/2025

    Gamification: Gimmick or Game-Changer for Events?

    Gamification at events, it’s everywhere. But does it actually work? Or is it just another buzzword slapped onto an event with no real impact? In this episode of Not The Same As Last Year, I break down what gamification should actually do and how to make it meaningful rather than just sticking points and badges on things. The truth about gamification - why most attempts fail How to use gamification to drive real networking and engagement Creative ways to gamify sessions (without making them cringe) Simple ideas that boost interaction - both digitally and in person How scavenger hunts, snowball games, and end-of-day bingo can turn passive attendees into active participants If you’re tired of gamification that feels like cheesy and pointless, tune in to hear how to make it work properly. I mention my fellow emcee/moderator, Jan-Jaap In Der Maur in this episode. For more info visit his website here: https://mastersinmoderation.com/training-and-coaching Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE Connect with Clare: WEBSITE LINKEDIN YOUTUBE

    15 min

  6. 01/19/2025

    The Next Generation Event Goer: What They Really Want

    After an unplanned (and chaotic) two-month break, I’m back with episode 32 of Not the Same as Last Year! This one’s all about Next Generation Event Goers and the shifts they’re driving in the B2B events world. These changes aren’t just for them – they make events better for everyone. In this episode, I explore: ✅ Why younger audiences are reshaping events ✅ The importance of interactivity and storytelling ✅ Simple changes that make events more engaging for all generations Let’s make events less awkward and more effective. Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE Connect with Clare: WEBSITE LINKEDIN YOUTUBE

    13 min

  7. 11/06/2024

    Mastering Short Lead Times in Events

    In this episode of Not The Same As Last Year, Clare Forestier discusses one of the biggest challenges in event planning today: short lead times. Whether it’s due to budget constraints, economic uncertainty, or the trend of late bookings, planners and suppliers are increasingly having to adapt to events that are confirmed last minute. Clare shares insights from her recent planner forum with the Meetings Events Suppliers Association, where industry experts discussed the effects of short lead times on quality, costs, and attendee experience. Key Points Covered: Why Short Lead Times are a Growing Trend: From last-minute budget approvals to clients’ hesitation to commit early, Clare discusses the factors that are driving the shift towards shorter planning timelines.Setting Boundaries and Educating Clients: Clare explores how event professionals can set clear boundaries to maintain quality, even under pressure, and why client education is essential to successful last-minute planning.Smart Technology Solutions: The episode highlights the importance of moving beyond spreadsheets to use cloud-based, event-specific tools that make coordination easier and less stressful.Building Strong Supplier Relationships: Clare emphasises the importance of trusted suppliers who can work effectively under tight timelines Russell Magnuson https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-magnuson/ RD Mobile: https://www.resultsdirect.com/rdmobile David O'Coimin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidocoimin/ Nook Event Pods Andrew Roby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewrobyeventplanner/ The Meetings Event Suppliers Association: https://themesa.community/mesa Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE Connect with Clare: WEBSITE LINKEDIN YOUTUBE

    12 min

  8. 10/28/2024

    Reinventing Event Sessions

    In Episode 29 of Not The Same As Last Year, Clare is on a mission to shake up predictable event formats. Sick of the rinse-and-repeat style that keeps sessions safe but stale? Clare introduces a range of alternative formats that foster real interaction and keep energy levels high. Here’s what’s covered: Blending Tradition with Freshness: Easy tweaks to familiar formats without alienating cautious clients.Interactive Keynotes: Turn your keynote into a two-way conversation, with live Q&As and story-driven hooks.Panel Revamps: Opt for fewer, more impactful voices and open the floor to audience questions.Dynamic Formats to Try: World Cafés, Fishbowl discussions, and lightning talks that keep attendees involved and energized.Genuine Engagement: What “interactive” should mean—moving beyond polls to create real connections. If you’re ready to stop wasting time with cookie-cutter sessions, tune in for tips to make your events a cut above. Discover easy, creative tweaks to make your event sessions memorable and exciting for attendees. Let’s get a bit braver and give that sacred cow of “safe formats” a well-deserved kick. Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE Connect with Clare: WEBSITE LINKEDIN YOUTUBE

    11 min
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Hi, I'm Clare Forestier, your guide to shaking up business events. Welcome to Not the Same as Last Year, where we ditch the predictable to focus on attendee-first experiences. Every week, we challenge the norm, offering tips to create events your attendees will love, alongside insights from event rebels. Ready to make your corporate events unforgettable? Join the movement. Let's transform audiences together!

Information

  • Creator
    Clare Forestier
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Clare Forestier
  • Show Website
    Not The Same As Last Year