Top 5 things to bring for hybrid events in person as a keynote speaker for 2022 events

So many hybrid events have happened this year and they may be my favorite event type ever because:

1. So much creativity (and work!)

2. Inclusive and affordable for attendees (yet a whole new audience to cater to)

3. Even more opportunities for speakers and emcees to make an impact and connect with attendees (which should be part of their job!)

So with the surge of clients wanting better-than-ever on-site event and hybrid event experiences, it’s given me pause to help other association keynote speakers and corporate emcees my best ideas on what to pack for their next hybrid event:

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR NEXT HYBRID EVENT

1. Masks - Love them or hate them, the data say they help the transmission of germs, so I think masks are a must-bring in 2022. A way for people to show their flair and their care, personally I love customized ones with my name on them, like this one from my aunt and uncle that they got at an event!

***Great companies like NASHVILLE SCREENPRINTING CO can even help attendees create masks on-site with your theme, colors, sponsors, and more. And btw - cold and flu seasons of the future? I’ll be rocking these around little ones and in airports - as they say: “Health is wealth!” And this is an easy way to keep healthier when you’re on the road 200 days a year like me!

2. Battery pack for your cell phone - that’s right, those great swag gifts so many sponsors at the exhibit hall give away to power your device will come in handy more than ever as you use your mobile device to interact with attendees during the virtual conference. Whether hopping into chats or exploring the virtual networking options on the platform, you’ll want to keep powered up so you can engage with all attendees, no matter if they’re on-site or on-screen!

3. Shoes + Shoe cushions- lots of them! From having to walk across the street to having to go from one ballroom to another convention center hall, the event venues of conferences haven’t gotten smaller - in fact, due to social distancing they’ve gotten BIGGER which Means more walking.

Personally, I love bringing a mix of flashy flats like these AGLs and my favorite Kurt Geiger mules with some wedges and heels for stage time. And these cute pair of Stella McCartney leopard slip-on shoes have been known to never leave my airport bag! If blisters get you, these are my go-to - and soak your feet in as hot of bathwater as you can and then rub each night.

As a catering and event veteran, this hot-water-dunk-then-rub was the ONLY thing to help me in back-to-back 18-hour shifts!

4. Personal feel good, totally-on-brand items: whether you like to rock a yellow pair of shades like my friend and futurist, Kate ONeill, funky orange glasses like sales speaker Phily Gerby or you are known for your leather jacket like me, don’t leave at home the items all your internet friends have come to know you by!

Since starting my business in 2017, I’ve done over 170+ virtual events so that means about 50,000 people only know me from the waist us and on screen. But when we meet on-site as we did at ConnectWise IT NATION SECURE when I was their emcee in Orlando? People knew my leather jacket, pink lipstick, a big smile instantly!

So don’t be afraid to show up as a professional - that word can look a lot of different ways to a lot of different people. Instead what you should be afraid of is showing up looking like everyone else and leaving the REAL you at home.

5. A flexible, helpful attitude: I know every event I do benefits from the 170+ virtual and hybrid events I’ve done previously, so when I get on-site? Of course, things change and it’s our job as speakers to be the positive, flexible partner for our clients they need. We don’t know what we don’t know, so as clients, associations, corporations, and meeting planners learn what they need on-site, remember our job isn’t to be on stage - it’s to serve EVERYONE with our message, our energy, and our talents.

As we start to fill our calendars for 2022 events - from London to Louisville, Orlando to Oregon, I hope this list is helpful in sparking some ideas about how you can make the most impact on site as an energizing keynote speaker…. an ENGAGING keynote speaker - and make the impact your clients and attendees crave from the stage.

Have questions about Rachel’s motivation keynotes? Wondering if your event is a fit for her high-energy truth bombs? Contact TEAM SHEERIN today!