Event Objective:
The objective of Sage Connections was quite literally to ‘connect’ with the different Sage audiences and target markets. The event was also specifically designed to act as a platform for the first public airing of the new worldwide Sage brand and identity.
Our Brief:
In the twelve months prior to Connections Revolution had organized no less than six different business partner and customer events for Sage. The brief for Connections was to bring all these disparate audiences together and create one event that would give Sage a greater return on investment and maximize on the synergies and benefits of bringing the different audiences together.
The Solution:
Our solution was to create a three day event, in one venue, that would address the needs and demands of all the different stakeholders involved. Working within very tight time constraints at the venue the outline format of the event was as follows:
Sunday November 5th
Monday November 6th
(Business Partner Day – 600 delegates attending)
- 60 stand exhibition Opens
- Conference opens with Keynote in Auditorium • Six concurrent conference streams running
- Evening Drinks reception in Exhibition Area
Tuesday November 7th
(Business Partner Day – 600 delegates attending)
- 60 stand exhibition
- Ten concurrent conference streams running
Wednesday 8th November
(Customer & Accountants Day – 1500 delegates attending)
- 60 stand exhibition
- Fifteen concurrent conference streams running
- Gala Dinner for 350 at Imperial War Museum, Manchester
Results:
The event was a huge success for both Sage internally in terms of cementing the new structures but most importantly in terms of outward facing activities. The business partners and customers rated Connections as an excellent event. Over 1500 customers and accountants attended together with 600 business partners. Delegate feedback was especially positive about the format which provided three information packed days with an intensive programme of keynote sessions, seminars, workshops, ‘ask-the-experts' sessions, one-on-one sessions together with a structured networking environment and extensive exhibition areas.
The exhibition generated £240,000 of revenue which made a significant contribution to the overall costs of the event. Exhibitors had an excellent event and reported high levels of interest in the products on offer. So, for all event stakeholders it was a great success. Revolution has now been asked to organise the Sage Connections 2007 event.
For this event Revolution provided a turnkey conference, sales and event management service. We were responsible for the following aspects of the event:
- Event Formulation – including input into the overall format and venue selection
- Registration – Full pre-event and on-site registration service. Including pre-booking of delegates into individual sessions and issuing of pre-event joining instructions.
- Exhibitor Sales – responsible for exhibitor sales to relevant suppliers. This includes identifying key suppliers, selling benefits/all relevant invoicing/contracts. (Total revenue generated £240,000)
- Venue Search – identifying and booking selected venue and on-going venue/floorplan management.
- Exhibitor/Venue Logistics – full Exhibitors Manual produced prior to event. Regular exhibitor update email bulletins and logistics department on-hand to answer queries and make exhibiting as smooth as possible.
- On-Site Logistics – full on-site service. Management of the venue both before the event and on-site. Revolution staff to man the Organisers’ Office and be on-site for the duration to ensure smooth running of event including management of all catering, signage, accommodation and delegate handouts/collateral.
- Audio-Visual – full management of all aspects of the conference sets, slides, sound and speaker requirements both on-site and prior to the event. Production of consistent event slide Template.
- Post-Event Feedback and Research – for both delegates and exhibitors
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