We’ve helped make your events more welcoming … now it’s our turn How we’re making sure our hotel leaders leave this year’s most prolific event energized!
A couple of years ago, feedback on our event surveys showed a clear trend: agendas had become overpacked, and people were leaving conferences exhausted. We also recognized a new generation was entering the workforce, one that lives digitally first, and we wondered whether Gen Zers and Millennials even wanted to attend in-person events at all.
After consulting with other event planners, it was clear we needed to break the mold and change the way we had “always” done things! We poured hundreds of hours into researching and testing solutions designed to make attendees feel comfortable, welcome, glad they came, and eager to return to future live events.
By creating the World’s Most Welcoming Events (WMWE) initiative and playbook of solutions, we’ve helped hundreds of organizations implement our research-backed agendas, ice breakers, and mealtime strategies. Now it’s our turn to bring those same findings into our own internal conferences.
Since many attendees feel anxious about large, in-person gatherings, we knew our own employees would appreciate some TLC ahead of their conference, held every two years, which hosts nearly 9,000 guests.
Here’s what the WMWE research told us:
- Attendees want to be extremely prepared before they walk into an event. 60% of those surveyed said they want to review menus in advance, and 69% are anxious about their appearance and clothing.
- Networking makes many people nervous. They want a stress-free start with things like welcome hosts, icebreakers, first-timer meetups, online chats before the event, and networking tips.
- People want more downtime built into the agenda, with flexible schedules, quiet zones, and fewer mandatory general sessions.
- Many people prefer to travel with a colleague, friend, or a “pod squad.” A total of 59% feel more comfortable exploring new places with others.
This year at Hilton’s All-Suites & Focused Service Leadership Conference in Orlando, we are rolling out the WMWE ideas and initiatives that worked best.
Based on employee feedback from last year’s events, here’s what we’re rolling out:
- “What to wear” guides, complete with photos, were sent in advance to help attendees feel confident in their clothing choices. 79% of Gen Zers report stress about attire, while 67% feel more confident with guidance.
- Event menus were published in the app in advance so attendees could review food and beverage options. To-go boxes were also added at buffets so people could eat somewhere quiet if they preferred.
- A virtual “Networking with Confidence” training session was held before the event to give attendees extra preparation.
- A community Microsoft Teams site through Viva Engage was created and promoted for social interaction in advance and as a place to get questions answered.
- First-timer, and community connections, such as smaller brand-specific meetup locations, were offered to ensure no one feels like they’re walking into the welcome reception alone.
- Quiet rooms and nursing rooms are available for those who need a break or privacy.
Welcoming events matter now more than ever
At Hilton, we are in the business of making people feel comfortable, welcomed, and relaxed. That commitment extends to our employees, guests, and customers. By incorporating elements of the WMWE initiatives, we believe our hotel leaders will leave saying this was the best conference we have ever hosted, thanks in part to this research and approach.
The goal of World’s Most Welcoming Events is to provide the solutions to make every attendee feel glad they came, that it was a good use of their time, and want to come again. Explore our WMWE playbook and begin creating YOUR own welcoming events.
