During a recent fam trip to Copenhagen, 20 international meeting planners were introduced to Danish meetings design concept Meetovation, which aims to improve participant involvement and present new approaches to planning with greater links between the event and its destination.
“The best thing about Meetovation is that you are not only involved with the venue but also with the people around you. You are distracted from the usual one-way communication – you are engaged, active, and involved, and I loved it!” says Jardena Kifle, marketing manager of events at Hamburg Convention Bureau, who has already chosen Copenhagen for a number of meetings this autumn.
Meetovation is composed of five core elements: return on investment, active involvement, creative setup, local inspiration and responsible thinking. Following demonstrations of Meetovation’s ‘responsible thinking’ element, which focuses on sustainability, physical activity and nutrition, Sandra Serrant, owner of United States-based SgS Events Redesigned said:
“Many people in the US think that sustainability is going to break their budget. However, what I have learned the past two days is that it can be affordable and flexible. I think Denmark is leading the world in terms of that.”
Each of the elements comprises exercises that strenghten a meeting's purpose. The 'active involvement' component, for example, introduces networking opportunities that encourage delegates to step out of their circle of comfort as well as presentation methods that stimulate dialogue and interaction. The 'creative setup' aspect enhances the meeting environment with coloured accents, music and scent to create a connection between the meeting's theme with where it is being held.
Business Events Denmark will be exhibiting at The Meetings Show in London from 7-9 July 2015. Planners can register their interest in Meetovation through MIND Famtrips here.
