Category: Onsite Events

Onsite / In-Person / Face to Face / In Real Life

0004. Wisdom Wednesday [2022] 🍸 Rethinking the Bar: Why Alcohol-Free Options Matter at Events

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This is a monthly edition in 2022 where Denise, Events Leader and Director of Gravitas.Events will share an insight or two regarding the Events Industry.

April 2022 wisdom

Let’s talk about the bar.

For years, alcohol has been the default social lubricant at events — from champagne receptions to open bars and wine pairings. But as our industry evolves, so too must our approach to hospitality. Whether you’re hosting a corporate summit, a community celebration, or a creative gathering, offering alcohol-free options isn’t just thoughtful — it is essential.

Alcohol-Free Doesn’t Mean Less Festive

Gone are the days when “non-alcoholic” meant water, Coke, Fanta or Sprite. Today’s alcohol-free drinks are sophisticated, celebratory and full of flavour. Think:

  • 🍷 Alcohol-free wines with depth and character
  • 🍺 Craft beers that skip the ABV but keep the taste
  • 🍹 Botanical mocktails with fresh herbs and seasonal fruits
  • 🫧 Sparkling teas, kombuchas, and tonics that feel grown-up and intentional

These aren’t consolation prizes — they are part of a modern, inclusive drinks menu.

Why It Matters

Not everyone drinks. And not everyone wants to explain why. By offering a range of alcohol-free options, you:

  • Create a welcoming space for all guests
  • Support wellbeing and mindful choices
  • Encourage connection without pressure
  • Reflect the diversity of your audience

Inclusivity isn’t just about accessibility or representation — it is also about what’s in the glass.

The Cost of Not Offering Choice

When alcohol-free options are limited to water or soda, guests can feel overlooked. It sends a subtle message: this event wasn’t designed with you in mind.

But when the drinks menu is curated with care — offering variety, flavour and celebration without alcohol — it elevates the entire experience.

A Call to Event Profs

Let’s rethink the bar. Let’s make alcohol-free options standard, not special request.

Whether your event is fully dry or simply more inclusive, the goal is the same: to create spaces where everyone feels seen, celebrated, and able to raise a glass — whatever’s in it.

Gravitas.Events ✨

0003. Wisdom Wednesday [2022] ✨ Rethinking the Guest Journey in Events

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This is a monthly edition in 2022 where Denise, Events Leader and Director of Gravitas.Events will share an insight or two regarding the Events Industry.

March 2022 wisdom

Too often, the Guest Journey is overlooked in event planning. Many assume that it begins the moment attendees walk into the venue or log onto the platform. But in reality, the journey starts much earlier — it starts at the very moment someone registers for your event.

The journey begins at Registration

That first click to register is not just a transaction; it is the start of an experience. From confirmation emails to pre‑event communications, every touchpoint shapes how your guests feel before they even arrive. A seamless, welcoming registration process sets the tone and builds anticipation.

Pre‑Event Engagement Matters

Think of the days and weeks leading up to your event as part of the journey. Attendees are already forming impressions based on:

  • The clarity of your event information (agenda, speakers, logistics).
  • The ease of accessing your platform or venue details.
  • The warmth and personality of your communications.

This is where you can build excitement, answer questions, and ensure guests feel valued.

Onsite, Online, Or Anything in Between: The Experience Continues…

When attendees finally enter the event space — whether physical or digital — they are not starting afresh. They are continuing a journey that began long before. Every detail – from signage and staff interactions to platform usability and networking opportunities – should feel like a natural extension of the promises you made during registration.

Post‑Event Follow‑Through

The Guest Journey doesn’t end when the lights go down or the platform closes. Post‑event communication — thank‑you notes, highlight reels, feedback surveys, or community invitations — ensures that the guest journey concludes with impact. It also lays the foundation for future engagement.

Why It Matters

When planners neglect the Guest Journey, they risk losing attendees before the event even begins. But when they nurture it from registration through post‑event follow‑up, they create experiences that feel intentional, inclusive, and memorable.

The Guest Journey is not a side note — it is the backbone of event success.

Gravitas.Events ✨

0002. Wisdom Wednesday [2022]: 💻 Online & Hybrid Events: Not New, But Now

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This is a monthly edition in 2022 where Denise, Events Leader and Director of Gravitas.Events will share an insight or two regarding the Events Industry.

February 2022 wisdom

Online events may feel like the “now” thing, but let’s be clear — they’re not new. Neither is hybrid. Universities, conferences, and global organisations have been using these formats for years to reach audiences far beyond their immediate geography.

So what is new?

The sheer number of platforms available.

The advanced functionalities they offer.

The technology designed to drive engagement, capture data, and spark meaningful connections.

This evolution is exciting, but it comes with costs — and not just financial ones!

💻 The Hidden Costs of Online & Hybrid Events

✨ ENGAGEMENT ✨: Keeping attendees actively involved throughout your event requires strategy, creativity, and energy.

✨ PLATFORMS ✨: Think of your chosen platform as your venue. Just as you would invest in the right physical space, the digital one deserves equal consideration.

✨ ONBOARDING ✨: Attendees need to feel confident using the platform before the event begins. A smooth onboarding process ensures they arrive excited, not frustrated.

✨ RETENTION ✨: Beyond the event itself, you need to inspire attendees to return — and to share their experience with others.

This is why setting clear objectives is critical before hiring an Event Planner or Producer. Without them, the investment risks being wasted.

The Payoff

Yes, online and hybrid events may cost more than anticipated. But the reach they provide is extraordinary!! You can connect with people in places you’ve never heard of, and open doors to opportunities you may never have dreamed possible.

The future of events isn’t about choosing between in‑person, online, or hybrid. It’s about embracing the possibilities each format offers — and being prepared to invest in the experience.

Gravitas.Events ✨

0001. Wisdom Wednesday [2022]: A New Year, and A New Vision for Events

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This is a monthly edition in 2022 where Denise, Events Leader and Director of Gravitas.Events will share an insight or two regarding the Events Industry.

January 2022 wisdom

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones near and far!! The start of a year always carries the promise of change. So, for the very first Wisdom Wednesday of 2022, I want to share the changes I long to see in the industry closest to my heart — Events.

Every January, many of us set personal goals and resolutions. Why shouldn’t our industry do the same? Here are THREE shifts that I believe could truly transform the way we work and the way we’re represented:

✨REVITALISED INDUSTRY BOARDS ✨: It’s time for a refresh. Our boards should reflect the diversity of our industry — across race, gender, and equality. And why not open the door to students, graduates, and young professionals who want to contribute? Their voices matter, and their perspectives could shape the future.

✨FRESH VOICES GIVEN PLATFORMS ✨: During the pandemic, I noticed how often the same speakers were invited to cover the same topics. While they have their audiences, our growing industry deserves fresh insights too! There are too many brilliant Event Profs out there — not yet household names — whose voices should be heard and valued.

✨TRUE INCLUSIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY ✨: A dear friend made me acutely aware of how much more we can do to make events inclusive. From considering attendees who are blind or hard of hearing, to ensuring safe participation regardless of vaccination status, accessibility must be at the forefront. Simple measures — like requiring lateral flow tests before entry — can help us create safer, more welcoming spaces.

Inclusivity and accessibility are vast topics, but one truth is clear: we can, and must, do better. Because now we know better.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree with these changes? What shifts would you like to see in our industry this year? TOGETHER, we can make it happen!

Gravitas.Events ✨