HOW OFTEN DO YOU THEME YOUR EVENTS?
Always: 33%
Sometimes: 55%
Never: 12%
For many meetings professionals, finding just
the right motif for a conference or event is what really gets the
planning ball rolling. M&C conducted an online poll in
August to find out how planners feel about theming and where they
get their ideas.
Of the 230 people surveyed, 33 percent said they always theme
their events, 55 percent sometimes do and 12 percent never have to
come up with a unifying idea for their meetings. Of those who do
work with themes, 28 percent are extremely comfortable when pressed
to tap their creative juices, 61 percent are somewhat comfortable,
10 percent are not very comfortable being so creative and 1 percent
are extremely uncomfortable.
When asked where they get their ideas, most
respondents cited other events they’ve attended (75 percent) and
suggestions from colleagues (73 percent). The media (such as
movies, TV, magazines and the Internet) provides inspiration for 57
percent. Other sources are third-party planner/suppliers (36
percent), hotel/venue staff (35 percent), clients (31 percent),
friends/family (31 percent) and top management (30 percent). For
the 21 percent who selected “other,” theme suggestions come from
board members, brainstorming sessions and committees, among other
sources.
Turning an eye to the most successful
themes ever, many respondents said casino nights (often combined
with a James Bond element) have been very well received. Evenings
celebrating the city of San Francisco ranked high for several of
those surveyed. Other top themes mentioned were “vintage” (a wine
auction), super heroes, Brazilian rain forest, under the sea, an
Elvis holiday party and the winter solstice.