4:3 Creating year-round community - Neil Thompson

01/18/24 • 19 min

Would building a year-round community around your event allow you to offer more value? In this episode, I interview Neil Thompson from Delegate Wranglers. He shares his journey growing a Facebook community that exceeded any expectations.

We learn how he grew and monetised his platform, starting with just a simple newsletter and expanding to customised campaigns working with global brands. Neil also shares the amazing value he could add during the tough times of the pandemic, quickly pivoting to online content and community support.

As you listen, consider what a thriving year-round gathering place could do for your attendees, community, industry and bottom line. Neil shares how he cultivated an engaged, supportive culture that became the foundation of Delegate Wranglers' runaway success. Neil's story illustrates how listening to your community and continually evolving to meet needs can help transform a simple idea into a thriving member ecosystem.

If you’re looking for inspiration and a model to emulate, this in-depth chat with a true community leader is a must listen.

Full show notes: https://eecast.com/27

If you’re looking for inspiration and a model to emulate, this in-depth chat with a true community leader is a must listen.

Full show notes: https://eecast.com/27

Previous Episode

4:2 This event company keeps relevant at 50+ with Colja Dams

How do you create unforgettable events that spark meaningful connections and delight attendees year after year? One company has spent decades perfecting their recipe. Since the 1970s, VOK DAMS has pioneered corporate events that spark lasting buzz.

In this episode, we trace how current CEO Colija Dams and his family built VOK DAMS' legacy across 50 years of event innovation. From analog to digital transformations, Colija shares insights spanning generations of leadership in creating unforgettable experiences.

Join us as Colija peels back the story behind the scenes - how his family built an iconic event company spanning decades by keeping curious and interweaving innovation with heart.

Full show notes: https://eecast.com/26

Next Episode

4:4 Are year-round communities overrated? - Dax Callner

What if trying to build an engaged, year-round event community was actually detrimental to your event's success?

Event organisers are aften advised to create 365 communities around their events, nurturing relationships long after an event wraps. But event strategy expert Dax Callner argues most organisers lack the skills and bandwidth for ongoing community management.

In this episode, Dax asserts that overextending resources to force year-round conversations does a disservice to both organizers and attendees. Rather than community, he believes events should prioritise delivering incredible experiences, which lead attendees to naturally return, year after year.

Join Dax and host Lee as they challenge enduring community-building advice. You’ll reconsider assumptions about the best ways to invest time and energy to make your events thrive for the long haul. Rethink what matters most.

Full show notes: https://eecast.com/28