What are the best ways to encourage event partners to share their expertise and resources?

Initiating collaboration with event partners requires strategic clarity. Outline your objectives: audience expansion, lead generation, brand visibility, or market education. Align these with partners' goals for a symbiotic relationship. Offer tangible benefits—exposure, networking, or shared resources. Be transparent about expectations, ensuring a mutually rewarding partnership. Define specific roles, contributions, and anticipated outcomes. Establish a framework for open communication, fostering a collaborative environment. This proactive approach lays the foundation for a successful partnership, fostering shared success and achieving collective goals.

Forge a robust connection post-partnership initiation through consistent, transparent communication. Tailor your approach using preferred channels—email, phone, social media, or a dedicated platform. Provide regular updates on event particulars, deadlines, deliverables, and solicit feedback. Actively seek input and suggestions, attentively addressing concerns. Cultivate a sense of value and involvement, making partners integral to event planning and execution. This ongoing dialogue not only fosters collaboration but also ensures a harmonious partnership, enhancing the overall success of the event. ????

Keeping up to date with peers, colleagues and contacts helps to build professional relationships and create ways of working together collaboratively. For example, this could be by sharing contacts who could be of assistance in a particular scenario or through helping directly with their work. By keeping contacts active and catching up regularly, even on an informal basis, you can help to gain input and opinions on your projects while being able to support their plans and developments.

Tailor support and resources to your event partners' diverse needs. Guide speakers in presentation crafting, online delivery, and audience engagement. Aid sponsors in showcasing products, services, or offers effectively. Assist exhibitors in virtual booth setup, visitor interaction, and lead collection. Equip media with access to press releases, images, and interviews. Furnish essential information, tools, and training for their success. This personalized approach ensures each partner receives the necessary assistance, enhancing their performance and overall event impact. ?????

Its important to provide resources in multiple formats. Our favorite ways are giving bullet point guidelines when we first reach out to vendors, having one on one check-ins, the finally having a group call with key partners so everyone can see how their part affects the whole. In some cases, we also create and share short video demos and resources for partners who need help navigating our technology. One of our values at my company is to always give our clients and partners everything they need to make the next step. This has helped everyone understand what's needed and execute at a high level.

Always giving unconditional support to your brothers and sisters or your work associates is a valuable asset in any career. If we do not respect those that we work with or for we will not respect the work, we are committed to.

Incentivise collaboration by acknowledging and rewarding your event partners. Showcase their contributions on your event platforms, social media, or newsletters. Give shout-outs during the event and express gratitude through thank-you notes or gifts. Extend discounts or incentives for future collaborations. Request testimonials or feedback to enhance future events and highlight your value proposition. This recognition not only cultivates a positive partnership but also reinforces their significance in the event's success, fostering a lasting and mutually beneficial collaboration. ????

I think the truth likely is that you only want SOME of your event partners doing this, right!? A lot of the time - if you’ve to goad / convince / cajole them into getting on board with this type of activity then their hearts won’t be in it and it won’t be effective or useful for anyone. For those who DO get it and want it and enjoy it - yes, create as many opportunities for them to interact and support one another as you can. Put effort into them being force-multipliers for one-another and have them see clearly that everybody wins when they do this. ??

Elevate collaboration by fostering networking opportunities among your event partners. Arrange pre-event or post-event sessions, webinars, workshops, or roundtables for knowledge exchange. Establish online forums or groups to encourage ongoing interaction. Introduce partners to each other through email or social media. Promote cross-collaboration by encouraging them to share content, offers, or events. By creating a platform for connection and idea exchange, you not only strengthen their collaboration but also contribute to a dynamic and mutually beneficial event ecosystem. ??????

Pre-event seminars or discussion groups are a good way to connect with your peers and, in fact, inspire yourself and others. Toss around new ideas, techniques and what has worked or not work. Are there any promotions being offered. Tackling registration and promotions.

Always thank your partners in email, but don't underestimate the power a handwritten note can hold! Sending a physical card will show your partners you truly care, and will certainly leave a lasting impression in this digital world.

This is the most critical aspect of building a collaborative relationship. You should invest time in building rapport and getting to a place where you’ve surmounted any awkward formality and can ask open and honest questions. This is where you will find the whole process of organization becomes much more efficient.

Establish alignment first. Live event partnerships rely on trust and a shared end goal. While some partners prioritise profitability, others focus on expanding global event audiences, others are in it for ensuring a great customer journey. Clarify the mutual objective before exchanging insights and sharing resources to avoid aimless discussions.

Maintaining relationships with event partners post-event is vital for encouraging ongoing expertise and resource sharing. Regular communication, expressing gratitude, and sharing event outcomes keeps the partnership vibrant. Seeking their opinions and suggestions not only values their contribution but also fosters collaborative growth. Offering continued support and opportunities for future collaboration strengthens these ties. This approach transforms event partnerships into long-term, mutually beneficial relationships, crucial in the dynamic world of event management.

Be clear why you want the planner to share this information. Many planners have their own trade secrets that enable them to standout from the crowd. I remember sharing information with people and they used it to undercut me. So I resorted to general statements unless I trusted the person on the other end of the conversation completely. To get planners to share information... A. Clients - ??Be clear about your needs and timeliness, ??Be honest about your budgets B. Fellow planners ??Ask your questions honestly ??Share what you know truthfully