A meeting planner said to me, “the whole conference experience is decided in the first 10 seconds”. First impressions are critically important to first-time attendees and repeat attendees. Those critical first impressions are made at the registration desk at most conferences. While members are standing in line, when they step up to the counter, as they interact with the person who will provide their badge, our attendees are unconsciously assessing whether the conference is right for them.
We, the professionals organizing the conference, think of registration as a transaction. But, attendees are assessing the experience.
Typically great experiences cost money, right? Not all experiences have to, especially these. The good news is some of the things that bolster attendees’ first impressions are free.
- Huge smiles
- Over the top welcomes
- Greeters and welcoming teams
- Trained registration volunteers and staff
- Welcome and orientation sessions
- Attendee preparation
Go ahead rock those first 10 seconds and create a better conference for attendees.
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