Practical ideas to help planners create events that mean more.

Events don’t need to be bigger to be better. They need to be more intentional.

Today’s audiences want to feel something when they show up - connection, clarity, alignment. They want to know that your event isn’t just well-produced, but well thought through. That it’s built on values, not just an agenda.

Here are seven simple, purpose-led ideas that can bring your next event to life in more meaningful ways.

1. Flip the format: Connection over convention

Rethink traditional layouts. Circular seating, cabaret clusters or stage-in-the-round configurations can shift the mood from passive watching to active involvement.

Why it matters: How people sit shapes how they show up. A more open layout signals trust, breaks hierarchy, and encourages real dialogue.

2. Purpose on arrival: Make registration matter

Sprintr has introduced the EcoKiosk, a sustainable, lightweight, and modular kiosk designed for delegate registrations. Crafted from Re-Board® Technology, a durable, versatile, and 100% recyclable material, the EcoKiosk offers a customizable and reusable solution that significantly reduces the carbon footprint of events. Its design allows for easy transportation and setup, making it a practical choice for event organisers aiming to meet sustainability goals .

Why it matters: You only get one first impression. Make it feel intentional and aligned.

Sprintr's EcoKiosk at Events Uncovered 2024, by Oneill Photographics 

3. Create a low-sensory space

Not everyone thrives in high-stimulation environments. Designate a low-sensory room or zone that’s free from noise, bright lights, and digital distractions. Soft furnishings, natural textures, acoustic treatments and filtered lighting help create a calm, restorative space.

Why it matters: This is an inclusion practice as much as a wellness one. Offering quiet time makes your event more accessible and considered.

4. Start with story, not slides

Open your event with something real. A story. A poem. A moment of silence. When you begin with emotion instead of information, people lean in. They remember.

AV1 can help: From writing to delivery, we produce purposeful opening moments that bring your message and mission to life.

Tim Sharp on stage, image by Oneill Photographics 

5. Go paperless, stay connected

Use QR codes, app-based agendas, and digital feedback tools to reduce waste and increase interaction. Let guests ask questions live, vote in real time, or shape sessions as they unfold.

Why it matters: Paperless doesn’t mean impersonal. Done right, it creates a tighter loop between speaker and audience.

6. Rethink your set: Sustainable design that stands out

Custom sets don’t need to cost the planet. The Cardboard Mill creates high-impact signage, plinths and scenic elements made from recycled materials, organic inks and biodegradable glues.

Why it matters: Sustainable doesn’t mean plain. These kinds of builds are bold, creative and conscious—just like your brand.

Cardboard furniture by The Cardboard Mill. 

7. Invite participation

Let your audience shape the experience. Try pre-event surveys to guide content, crowd-sourced artwork, or a space for attendees to write reflections, hopes or feedback. Bonus points for turning that input into part of your post-event comms.

Why it matters: Purpose isn’t just projected, it’s co-created. Involving your audience builds community and ownership.

Final thought: What you build reflects what you believe

When you design with intention, you give people more than an event - you give them something to feel, remember and act on.

So the next time you're planning a run sheet, choosing signage, or sketching out your floorplan, ask:
Does this reflect who we are? And who we want to be?