If Your Corporate Event Could Talk…
If your corporate event could talk, what would it say?
"
Hi, I’m your annual all-hands. You fed me stale bagels, locked me in a windowless ballroom, made your VP read slides for 42 minutes straight… and now you’re shocked no one remembers me?"
Harsh? Maybe.
But if your corporate event had a voice, it might be more honest than your post-event survey.
The Harsh Reality: Most Events Are... Meh
We’ve all been to that event. It had all the boxes checked:
Agenda? ✅
Speakers? ✅
PowerPoint slides with just the right amount of gradient? ✅
And yet… snoozefest. The energy dipped, people doom-scrolled through Slack, and the only memorable thing was how aggressively not good the coffee was.
So What Do People Remember?
Here’s the truth: your attendees won’t remember every acronym, stat, or acronym (did we say acronym twice?). But they will remember how they felt.
Did they feel inspired?
Did they laugh, even once?
Did they make a real connection?
Did something weird and delightful happen?
Those are the moments that stick. And they don’t just magically appear—they’re designed.
In the age of Zoom fatigue, back-to-back meetings, and overflowing inboxes, people don’t need more information. They need a reason to care.
Yes, your speaker lineup matters. But equally important?
Good lighting
Better snacks
A break from the monotony
Smooth transitions
Real stories
Time to connect (without feeling like cattle)
A good cocktail or chocolate treat
Sometimes the most memorable moment isn’t the big keynote—it’s that unexpected 1:1 convo between departments that rarely even email.
💡 Try This at Your Next Event: Bake in “Unscripted Moments”
One of the best things you can do when designing an event? Leave room for surprise. Instead of cramming every minute with slide decks, make space for moments people actually talk about afterward.
A few easy wins:
Food worth Instagramming — Ditch the sad buffet. Think food trucks, late-night snacks, or a breakfast people actually want to wake up for.
Social spaces that aren’t awkward — Create areas where people can actually talk (without yelling). Casual lounges, conversation starter cards, or even a “meet someone new” game that doesn’t suck.
One moment that’s totally un-corporate — An unexpected performer, a DIY dessert bar, a cocktail reception with a sunset view, or a game that gets people laughing.
Because here’s the thing: you’re not just delivering content. You’re creating a shared experience. One people might actually remember (and maybe even talk about next year).
Ready to Rethink Your Next Event?
Whether it’s an all-hands, sales kickoff, or annual retreat, don’t just ask what you’re presenting—ask how people will feel during and after.