HOW TO SOLVE DELEGATE DROPOUTS AT EVENTS.

Delegate dropouts are the silent saboteurs of events.

You’ve invested time, money, and energy into planning an event. The last thing you want is a decent portion of your registrants failing to show up, or even accept the invite in the first place… This not only affects the energy and dynamics of your event but also a direct impact on your return on investment (ROI).

But why do delegates drop out, and more importantly, how can you prevent it?

Here are some pointers from us to tackle delegate dropouts head-on, ensuring that your event is engaging and well-attended:

THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING US!

The buzz surrounding your event should start well before the actual day. Pre-event comms plays a massive role in keeping delegates engaged and committed from the get-go. You can start with teaser videos, sneak previews, or even early access to the juicy content itself.

The goal is to create a sense of anticipation that makes delegates feel excited and eager to attend.

KNOWING YOUR AUDIENCE.

The backbone of a successful event starts with understanding who you’re talking to. Our InsideOut™ way of working gets down into the nitty-gritty, deeply profiling attendees to ensure that your event content, format, and messaging align with their needs and interests.

When your event resonates with your audience, dropout rates can decrease by as much as 30%. This requires more than a surface-level understanding, you need to get under the skin of their pain points, preferences, and motivations—creating an event that feels tailor-made with them in mind

EVENTS WITHOUT A SHELF LIFE.

If people are number one, the content should be number two. If your event feels like a re-run of previous years, there’s zero incentive for delegates to show up. Give them something new, don’t opt for expired content that will leave them unsatisfied.

Think outside the box, create the unexpected, with surprise elements weaving throughout. Break away from the usual formats and consider incorporating interactive sessions, dynamic speakers, or hands-on workshops or networking opportunities that challenge your audience and provide them with real value.

WORKING COLLABORATIVELY.

An internal and external event team set-up is the dream. Collaborating with internal event managers can significantly reduce delegate dropouts.

For us, it’s not about taking over—it’s about working as one to elevate the entire event experience. Studies show that events with strong collaboration between internal management teams see up to a 15% increase in attendee satisfaction, which directly correlates with lower dropout rates.

delegate dropouts

YOU ARE WELCOME.

Accessibility and the inclusivity of events is now one of the most important aspects to the success of an event. This means considering the needs of people with physical and hidden disabilities by providing accessible venues, offering sign language interpreters, captioning, and assistive technologies. Think about how you can reassure people when you send out invites that adjustments will be made to suit needs, so it doesn’t cause them any worry ahead of time or concern about attendance.

Additionally, flexible hours can help those with outside-of-work obligations, making it easier for them to participate. Offering a virtual attendance option is ideal for people who might struggle to make it.

THINK ABOUT IT.

Delegate dropouts shouldn’t be an inevitable part of events. By understanding your audience, building anticipation, elevating the event experience, and fostering collaboration, you can keep dropout rates low and engagement high.

With that being said, it’s not about how many people turn up, it’s about how many people remain engaged throughout! When you create an event that truly connects with your audience, you’ll not only see better attendance—you’ll see results that are worth measuring!

LET'S GET CRACKIN'!

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