Smaller Session Sizes ‘A Good Thing for Modern Events’

Lime Venue Portfolio has welcomed new research predicting that individual sessions at conferences will reduce throughout 2019. The prediction is identified in MPI’s Outlook Report with international survey respondents predicting a continuation of this trend over the next 12-24 months.

Lime Venue Portfolio has been quick to endorse the trends as ‘a good thing for modern events’ following its own Beyond Conference last month, which included a panel on ‘millennial delegates’ and indicated a desire towards more dynamism within traditional event formats. The global industry has seen average session sizes steadily dropping over the last few years, down from 1 hour to 45 minutes, and now to 20 – 30 minute sessions.

‘Modern conferences, with modern delegates, are looking for less passive intakes of information, delivered in un-interactive, boring lectures,” commented Jenner Carter, head of marketing at Lime Venue Portfolio and director of marketing, HBAA. “They are looking for small blasts of inspiration, delivered dynamically and with the opportunity to discuss and interact with the speaker. This research backs this up and is therefore a good thing for modern events.”

“We’ve long been a cheerleader for ‘better’ events, which we see as ones that create memorable experiences, and allow delegates to really engage in the content in a creative way,” continues Jenner.

“Smaller session size puts pressure on the content to be informative, but also encourages post event discussions and deeper learning. It means the conference can resonate post event, and subject matters can be taken into specialised focus groups. It makes for a really interesting event for everyone.”

Lime Venue Portfolio created the Beyond Conference as part of its 10 Birthday celebrations, bringing together future gazing leaders in both the business world and the meetings and events industry, to try and envisage what the industry looks like beyond today.

Jenner Carter, head of marketing, Lime Venue Portfolio