16/07/2026
I rarely join events that are a waste of time.
And when I do, I suffer.
Last time this happened, I took a piece of paper and throughout the event, I collected ideas under the headline "How NOT to organize or facilitate conferences." Observing, sensing in how it feels like to join these events and how it could be done better has been my cathartic way out.
This experience also contributed to the idea of sharing my knowledge regarding multi-stakeholder events, collected in the past 25+ years in workshops in multi-cultural contexts in 55+ countries from the Maghreb, Africa, the so-called Middle East resp. SWANA, and South-East Asia.
So which points did I collect on the last list?
❌ do not organize conferences that could have been a webinar
(similar to meetings that could have been an email)
❌ do not underestimate the true time a session takes (plus buffer time)
❌ if there is only time for 1-2 questions, do not give the mic to speakers in the audience => give it to real participants (speakers can easily approach each other)
❌ no panels, especially no manels (= men-only panels)
❌ slido or mentimeter surveys are NOT interaction (even if you offer 3 of them)
These are just 5 examples, right from the top of my mind.
I remember them vividly since their effect has been sooo negative for all participants (btw: people are not only 'attendants' or 'audience').
There are many more and some patterns that emerge.
Avoid them and intentionally design and host events that increase your return on impact (this new ROI matters). You spend the time, money and efforts anyway. Make sure they contribute to something of value, ultimatively contributing to a thriving world for all.
❓ What examples for how NOT to organize and facilitate large group events come to your mind? in which siutations did you experience them and what do you suggest instead?
Let's take whole-ecoysystem events to the next level and
co-create positive collaboration experiences and meaningful partnerships.
