Community Engagement Events

Making the right choices when event planning can be the difference between being inclusive or not. Here are five simple, free choices you can make that can help… Choose to tell people your food options in advance. This helps people plan around allergies, dietary requirements, cultural needs, or just personal preference without stress on the day. It also avoids people having to ask awkward questions or go without food altogether. When people know what to expect, they can focus on the event rather than whether they’ll be able to eat. (Nothing strikes more fear in my heart than someone saying “that looks like something chicken-ey”) Choose to send an attendee list in advance, to everyone attending. This gives people a chance to prepare socially, which can make a huge difference for neurodivergent attendees or anyone who finds networking difficult. It also helps people identify who they want to speak to and reduces the pressure of walking into a room full of unknowns. For some, that preparation is what makes attending feel possible in the first place. Choose to send all presentations in advance, or use QR download codes on the day. This allows people to access content in a way that works for them - whether that’s using screen readers, adjusting formatting, or simply reading ahead. It also takes pressure off needing to process everything in real time, which isn’t accessible for everyone. Having materials to refer back to improves understanding and inclusion for all attendees. Choose to stick to your meeting agendas and don’t sacrifice lunch or break times for over running sessions. Breaks aren’t a luxury - they’re essential for energy, focus, and wellbeing. Skipping them disproportionately impacts disabled people, parents, and anyone managing health needs or fatigue. Keeping to time shows respect for people’s needs and helps everyone engage more fully throughout the day. Choose to make using microphones mandatory, not optional, and don’t let speakers speak without them. Not everyone can hear clearly, even in smaller rooms, and relying on volume alone excludes people. Microphones also support those using hearing aids, live captions, or recordings. Making this a firm rule removes awkwardness and ensures consistent access for everyone in the room. Spoiler, even if you think you have a loud enough voice, you don’t. Any others you’d add?

Are you planning any workplace wellness activities to kick off the new year? One of my newsletter subscribers recently asked me, “Our employees want us to highlight healthy lifestyles, perhaps by launching a ‘step challenge’ or hosting a 5K. While I love these ideas, we have some employees who use wheelchairs. For example, I struggle with organizing a step challenge because I feel this is not inclusive to everyone. Am I overthinking this? Or do you have suggestions that meet the ask but are inclusive to everyone?” I immediately contacted my friend, workplace wellness expert Laura Putnam. She recommended thinking about the various dimensions of wellness when designing programs. These include physical, emotional, social, financial, career, and community needs. By offering options in these categories, you’ll be more inclusive by design. With her guidance, I then researched possible activities. Here are some ideas: - Physical: Organize a “workout streak,” asking employees to record the number of days in a row they’ve done some workout—cardio, yoga, weights, stretching, or anything they define as a workout. Or arrange “stroll & roll” groups for breaks, ensuring paths are wheelchair-accessible. - Emotional: Designate an “Unplug at lunch” day, committing not to use your phone or devices and enjoying silence or talking with coworkers. - Social: Create a “Get to Know Each Other” week, with prompts to encourage coworkers to find personal connections. - Financial: Provide financial planning or budgeting classes. - Career: Host sessions to demystify the promotion process or other career-related topics. - Community: Organize a donation drive for items that a local non-profit needs. Then, once you have some options, let people design their wellness goals and choose activities that make sense for them. P.S. A few years ago, Laura and I collaborated on a thought paper titled "50 Ways You Might Have Wellness Privilege at Work" (https://lnkd.in/gBGfzhqv). It explores why wellness and inclusion should be considered holistically, with practical actions to take to improve workplaces everywhere.

What do conference dinners and sustainability have in common? Imagine this: You're at a wedding reception, enjoying lively conversations as the main course wraps up. Then, The waitstaff arrives, balancing large trays of desserts. Everyone gets served simultaneously, and the trays disappear as quickly as they arrive. Efficient, right? But then you notice a familiar scene: untouched slices of cake, forgotten puddings, and a growing pile of waste. This isn’t just a wedding problem; it’s a sustainability challenge. In scenarios like these, Lean Six Sigma principles can help. By focusing on the entire lifecycle planning, forecasting, and execution we can turn these moments of excess into opportunities for smarter, more thoughtful processes. For example: -Forecasting attendance accurately could help caterers prepare the right amount of food. -Data analytics could reveal how many guests want dessert, avoiding unnecessary waste. -Applying a Just-in-Time (JIT) delivery system ensures desserts are served only when needed, improving quality and reducing waste. Beyond logistics, sustainability extends to choosing locally sourced ingredients to reduce transport emissions and engaging attendees in waste education initiatives. Imagine volunteers sharing how small changes like composting leftover food impact the environment and economy. The real lesson? It’s not just about better forecasting or logistics. Sustainability thrives on creating a culture of respect, humility, and continuous improvement. These ideas, inspired by the Toyota Production System, remind us to focus on people, not just processes. Here's a thought: Next time you plan an event, could you reimagine the experience to reduce waste and foster sustainability? Small steps lead to significant changes when we think holistically. What’s one sustainability practice you’ve seen at events that left a lasting impression?

The events that look effortless on the day rarely were, believe me…😅 They usually got these 5 things right long before the doors opened… Before anything else, you need to be clear on what you actually want the event to achieve. Is it about building new relationships? Accelerating existing opportunities? Product launch? Creating a community? Owning a particular conversation? Once that’s clear, these are the 5 things I see creating, or limiting, event success time and time again: 1. A realistic budget 💸 Your budget has to match your vision. If you want a 10-course tasting menu, Champagne, a private dining room and all the premium touches, you have to expect a higher cost. But a tighter budget doesn’t automatically mean a weaker event. Come with an open mind, share what you have to work with and ask how we would optimise it. It’s about prioritising what will have the biggest impact on the guest experience. 2. A strong brand-side speaker 🎤 This is one of the biggest success factors I see. The right brand gives you an initial hook for outreach, adds credibility and stops the event feeling like a sales pitch led entirely by your own company. It doesn’t always need to be the biggest name. It needs to be someone your audience wants to learn from, with real experiences and opinions to share. 3. An audience-led location 📍 Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to pitch events in places I simply want to visit… (Paris would be up there!) But the location decision should start with your audience data, not your venue wish list. Look at your ICP, map your TAL and identify where the right people actually are. A cool location means very little if your ideal audience isn’t there. 4. A topic people actually want to discuss 🗣️ Generic themes create generic conversations. Choose something your audience is already talking about, has opinions on and hasn’t completely resolved yet. The best themes don’t just fill an agenda. They spark different perspectives, debate and conversations that continue beyond the event itself. 5. Enough time ⏳ An event is an investment, not a quick fix you can rush into. I’d want AT LEAST 6 solid weeks for outreach alone, and ideally much longer for the wider planning process. That time gives you the chance to develop relationships with guests, work properly with venues and suppliers, and make sure your speakers are fully briefed. There are plenty of other moving parts, but these are the 5 I see make or break events again and again 🤓 What would make your list??

Building Safe and Orderly Spaces with Effective Crowd Management India, a land of vibrant festivals, passionate celebrations, and bustling megacities, presents unique challenges when it comes to crowd management. From the joyous multitudes of Kumbh Mela to the fervent processions of Durga Puja, ensuring the safety and well-being of millions demands a multi-pronged approach, one that transcends mere control and embraces proactive planning and community engagement. Beyond Barriers: A Holistic Perspective Gone are the days when crowd management was synonymous with imposing restrictions and maintaining order through sheer force. Today, the focus shifts towards creating safe and orderly spaces that cater to the specific needs and cultural nuances of Indian crowds. This requires a holistic perspective, encompassing: ●     Crowd analysis and forecasting: Understanding the expected size, composition, and dynamics of the crowd is crucial. Anticipating potential flashpoints and bottlenecks allows for proactive measures. ●     Infrastructure development: Adequate crowd circulation spaces, designated entry-exit points, and essential amenities like hydration stations and sanitation facilities are fundamental. ●     Communication and awareness: Clear and concise information disseminated through multiple channels, including local languages, ensures everyone understands safety protocols and evacuation procedures. ●     Crowd psychology and cultural sensitivity: Recognizing and respecting cultural norms and sensitivities is crucial for building trust and cooperation with the crowd. ●     Technological integration: Utilizing tools like real-time crowd monitoring, CCTV surveillance, and mobile communication apps can enhance responsiveness and situational awareness. From My Insights to Everyday Action: The success of such strategies hinges on community engagement and collective responsibility. Here's how each one of you can contribute: ● Be informed: Familiarize yourself with safety protocols and emergency procedures for frequented venues or events. ● Plan and cooperate: Follow designated routes, adhere to instructions, and exercise patience to ensure smooth crowd movement. ● Report concerns: Don't hesitate to inform authorities of any potential hazards or suspicious activity. ● Practice empathy: Remember, everyone is a part of the crowd; respect fellow participants and prioritize their safety. Building a Culture of Safety: By adopting a collaborative and proactive approach, we can transform crowd management from a reactive measure into a proactive culture of safety. This requires not just the expertise of professionals but also the conscious participation of every individual. Let's work together to build spaces that are not only vibrant and celebratory but also safe and orderly, reflecting the true spirit of our diverse and dynamic nation. Remember, every responsible action, every informed decision, contributes to a safer crowd experience for all.

Likes and comments on LinkedIn matter—but they don’t tell the whole story. Here are the “less obvious” success metrics you should be tracking too: 🔹 1. Profile Views Per Post → A spike in profile views = people checking out who you are. → Are they in your target audience? If they're from random industries, your content might be too broad or irrelevant to your niche. 🔹 2. DMs & Connection Requests → Are people reaching out after your posts? That’s a sign your content is working. → But again, are they potential clients, partners, or industry peers? If most inbound messages are unrelated to your goals, you may need to refine your positioning. 🔹 3. Outbound Connection Acceptance Rate → If less than 40% of your connection requests are accepted (granted you're reaching out to your ICP), your profile might need work. → A high acceptance rate means your profile and content are aligned with your ideal audience. 🔹 4. Website Clicks & Email Sign-Ups → Are your posts leading people to your site or newsletter? → If not, you may need to rethink your content strategy. Some content grabs attention, some builds trust, and some drives action. If you're only creating engagement-focused posts, you're staying visible, but not turning that visibility into results. 🔹 5. Post Longevity → How long is your post staying in people’s feeds? → Posts that get engagement 48+ hours later signal strong content resonance. Pay attention and dissect what made them successful. 📌 Takeaway: Engagement matters, but it’s not just about likes and comments. The best posts spark interest, profile visits, DMs, and conversions. Are you tracking any of these?

I’ve learned that the real measure of a great event is simple: Do people want to leave, or do you have to gently kick them out at the end? When people stay… talk… linger… keep finding “just one more” conversation, that’s when you know you’ve created something that actually mattered. Here’s how you get there (and it’s never accidental): 1/ Curate with intention. Not the most people, the right people. The ones who shift the energy of a room just by being in it. I get on a 30-minute call with every founder before they attend a dinner to understand where they’re at, what they’re building, and what they’re craving from a community right now. So I can place them in a room that actually accelerates them. 2/ Tell a story. Events aren’t agendas. They’re arcs. People connect when they understand the why behind why they’re there. 3/ Design the flow, not just the schedule. Energy moves. Let it. Build in transitions. Change the environment. Give people room to breathe and reconnect. 4/ Don’t keep people seated for too long. 45 minutes is the max before attention drifts and the magic fades. Stay firm on your timing. 5/ Create space for real conversations. Moments > programming. Always. When you get these pieces right, the event stops feeling like an “event” at all. It becomes a space people want to stay inside of. And that’s when you know you’ve done it right, when the room stays full long after the schedule ends!

Can you prove the value of your community? Many can’t. And that’s the problem. Unless you have the time, expertise, and resources to run a controlled trial, all you can do is establish relationships—without fully knowing the direction of causality. But what if you could estimate the value of your community in a statistically valid way? That’s precisely what FeverBee did for Pragmatic Institute. They wanted to know: 1️⃣ Does community participation increase course enrollments? 2️⃣ How does community activity impact revenue? 3️⃣ What behaviours should be encouraged to drive these metrics? Here’s what we found: ✅ Active members (>1 post) generated 21% more revenue than inactive members. ✅ Members who posted at least once contributed 44% more revenue. ✅ Logging in at least once correlated with a 21% revenue increase. ✅ Replying to a direct message increased the probability of taking an additional course by 16%. ✅ Creating a new thread? A 201% increase in course enrollments. The takeaway? Not all engagement is equal. The most valuable actions weren’t just any interactions. They were starting discussions, sharing resources, and responding to messages. This insight led to a clear strategy: → Encourage thread creation. → Provide more downloadable documents. → Increase engagement in direct messaging. Most community managers KNOW their communities drive value… but struggle to prove it. With the right methodology, you can show leadership exactly what’s working—and secure more support.

❓Question: What's the impact of Community on Customer Success? 🔢 Data: Community Members w/ Activity + CRM Accounts w/ Churn/Renew Event Details for Q2. Match on email domain as UID. ✅ Analysis: “In Q2, customer accounts with at least 1 active community user were 3x more likely to renew their contract with us.” 📢 Narrative: “Customers that are active in the community tend to learn the product quicker, adopt new functionality at a high rate, increase their spend, have higher satisfaction, and remain customers longer than those that do not engage in the community. As a result, the Customer Success organization is scaling self-service resources at a faster pace, seeing increased satisfaction across all accounts, and is steadily lowering the overall cost to retain customers.” =============== The numbers have changed, but the story is true. Nearly all measurements for community business outcomes KPIs and ROI are attributions based on cohort analysis, or comparisons of customer accounts with and without active community users. Having this level of insights flips the conversations you're likely having right now about next year's budget from "what does community cost?" to "if we invest more in community, can we raise our retention rates?"

Ever poured your heart into planning a community event, only to have low turnout, poor engagement, or even funding struggles? I know that frustration too well. After seven years of initiating and facilitating youth development programs, I’ve learned that a successful community event isn’t just about planning, it’s about strategy. Here are some underrated lessons that changed everything for me: 🎤 Your first audience is NOT the community, it’s the gatekeepers: Build relationship with the community leaders first, it increases success rate. Before the people show up, you need the support of the local influencers, grassroots leaders, and trusted voices in that space. If they don’t endorse your project, you’re just an outsider trying to make noise. 🎤 The best speakers aren’t always the most popular: I have learned that bringing in high-profile names doesn’t always guarantee engagement. Sometimes, it’s the relatable, on-the-ground voices that connect better with the audience. Find speakers who resonate with your people, not just those with big titles. 🎤 People support what they help create: Instead of planning everything alone, I now co-create with the community, getting their input, involving local volunteers, and making them feel like they own the project. This boosts participation and long-term impact. 🎤 If you’re not measuring, you’re guessing: Yes you heard right! Early on, I’d finish an event and just hope it made an impact. Now, I track metrics, attendance, feedback, follow-up actions to improve each project. Impact isn’t what you feel, it’s what you measure. 🎤 Your funding strategy should start long before your event does: Early planning Is a game changer. I used to scramble for money a few weeks before an event. Now, I build long-term partnerships, explore alternative funding (grants, crowdfunding, sponsorships), and ensure sustainability from the start. Know this, growth in this space is a journey, not a straight line. Take risk, and when you fail, be graceful to yourself and keep moving. I am rooting for you! So tell me, what’s one lesson you’ve learned from hosting community projects? Drop your thoughts below! P.S: The pictures below are snippets from our "Pad a Girl" project where we distributed sanitary pads to over 150 girls in secondary schools. Looking for an accountability partner? LET'S CONNECT! #CommunityEngagement #YouthDevelopment #Leadership #EventSuccess #SocialImpact #youthleader