The Special Event 2024

As a member of the National Creative team at Access, my job is to be on the cutting edge of event trends and new ideas. Being the leading DMC in the industry, we love to blaze trails and discover new trends. We’re constantly learning and evolving, because it’s our job and our clients rely on us for it.  Because of this, we know what’s up and how it will be received by our clients. So, with that in mind, as an experienced and knowledgeable Creative in the events industry, many would ask the question: Why attend such conferences as The Special Event hosted this year in Austin, Texas?

So, here’s my answer.  We love to attend because inspiration can be found in all things. Whether it’s a new vendor hot on the tradeshow floor, educational sessions that reinvigorate our spirit, or connecting and collaborating with like-minded attendees that you only get to see at these types of conferences, inspiration is everywhere.

A collaborative ecosystem that I love to be a part of, I’ve personally put myself out there as a thought leader that strives to always be better, continue my education, and challenge myself to think differently. I feel like, as a National Creative Manager at Access, sharing my library of knowledge and what I soak up from industry conferences with our local creative teams across that nation is a responsibility, and I’m always up for the task. It’s a benefit of the National Creative Team, and the investment our company makes in education/conferences, that then trickles down to our clients.  Our clients and their programs are everything to us, and we stay cutting edge for them, and ultimately, the attendees of the events we produce together, because it's all about shared experiences that inspire, and new experiences that make the impact we had in mind.  The ideas that we present, how we choose to share them and the level that they are executed at, all come first from a spark of inspiration.

For me, an experience like this is invaluable and always has my head on a swivel. I’m continually thinking of how something that I have seen can translate to our specific needs whether it be for a client or our company as a whole.  It feeds my creativity!

Side note – if you’re an event design geek like I am, you’ll love the opportunity to meet some of the industry's heavy hitters.  Tradeshows like The Special Event have incredible speakers that are celebrity status, when it comes to paving the way for event designers and they stick around for meet and greets and photos ops.

‍

‍

‍

For those thinking about attending The Special Event 2025 or the next big industry tradeshow, here are a few things I would recommend:

- Engage with New Vendors: Explore the market floor to discover innovative products and services that can elevate event experiences.

- Attend Educational Sessions: Participate in educational sessions to gain new insights, skills, and perspectives that fuel creativity and professional growth.

- Network with Peers: Connect with fellow attendees to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build valuable relationships within the industry.

‍

Hope to see you at the next one!