Over the past year we have seen a rise in ‘micro events’, and while they have been around for longer, this sudden rise can be attributed to the capacity and gathering restrictions that have been in place around the world. While the original intention of this trend was to compensate for capacity limitations, micro events are here to stay.
What Is a Micro Event?
“Event professionals often refer to micro events when they talk about hosting one specific part of an event only. So instead of organizing a full-day conference with coffee breaks and the like, a micro event would let you choose a segment of a usual event format and organize this one only as a stand-alone session.
While for some event professionals the micro event encompasses only this one element, nothing else, no aftermath and therefore being cheaper, for others micro events are seen as part or integration into macro events. This means, they go alongside large congresses, for example, and complement them instead of being hosted without any connections to another event.” – Cottage Tent Event
Examples of Micro Events – Virtual, Hybrid, and In-Person
Examples of micro events include:
- Lunch and Learn sessions
- Teleclasses
- Small group sessions for focused training
- Live gaming sessions
- Intimate networking opportunities
- VIP access-only events within a larger event
- Exclusive meet and greet opportunities with speakers/presenters
- Social media events
- Live broadcast events
- Intimate experiential activations
- Cooking classes
- Cocktail making demos
- Creative crafting opportunities
- Artistic performances
- Small spaces for intimate networking opportunities
- Movement breaks, classes, etc to break up the amount of content being taken in by attendees
- Yoga, pilates, stretching, meditation, etc.
- Short training sessions happening within a large conference or multi-day event
- Small groups allow for attendees to understand and learn more than when in a large group setting
- Gamification opportunities, utilizing VR technology
- Virtual watch parties or small viewing groups for in-person engagement
These are just a few examples as there is no limit to the possibilities of micro events with the current technologies and planning opportunities we have at our fingertips.
Quality Over Quantity
While the world is returning to a sense of ‘normal’, many people are looking for events (and micro events) that offer unique opportunities, are curated to their needs and time commitment, and that are of value to them. With personal safety and time management as a key decision-making component for attendees , micro events offer a unique opportunity for intimate connection in a lower risk environment with a focus on more meaningful interaction and are more friendly when it comes to a commitment of time.
Micro events represent a more simplified event format for a small group versus complex larger events but at the same time doesn’t lose any of its experience character. One could argue that micro events, rather, may even provide a greater event experience for attendees.
– Your Tycoon, Lindsay XOXO
The information provided above is a nod to what information can be found in our Event Trends Report. Read through the full report to gain a better understanding of how the trends apply to your hybrid, virtual and in-person events.