Seven ways to create hyper-personalised events

Remember the last time you got a birthday gift that felt like it was picked just for you? Or how you felt when Netflix suggested a show you ended up loving? That's exactly what your event attendees want: experiences that feel crafted just for them.

When guests attend events they are giving up their time and money. They arrange travel, clear their schedules and come with specific goals in mind. In return, they expect more than just another standard conference or gathering. They want moments that matter to them
personally.

Data backs this up: 57% of attendees want customised event summaries based on their activities.

So, how can you create such hyper-personalised events? Let's find out.

1. Curate event journeys

Picture your event as a journey. Some guests might be first-time entrepreneurs looking for mentors. Others could be industry veterans seeking new partnerships. Each person has their own expectations. And now, AI-powered tools can help you cater to these different needs. Start with your event app. When guests sign up, ask about their goals, interests and past experiences. Use this information to suggest sessions they'll find valuable. If someone marks "networking" as their main goal, point them towards speed-networking sessions or informal meetups.

2. Make connections with AI matchmaking

Random networking often leads nowhere. But when you match people based on shared interests or matching skills, real connections happen. AI-driven matchmaking can connect attendees with similar goals or complementary expertise. Think about it: a marketing professional looking to expand into AI will benefit from meeting a tech expert wanting to better promote their products. These connections feel natural because they're based on real shared interests.

3. Analyse sentiments

Think of your event like a live performance. Musicians can tell when the crowd is energised or if they are losing interest. Now, you can do the same at conferences and meetings. Tools like Zenus.ai watch your audience's facial expressions during sessions, telling you how they feel about the content. When interest drops, speakers can switch gears, perhaps moving to a more interactive segment or diving deeper into topics that spark engagement. This real-time feedback creates a dynamic experience. A presenter might notice confusion during a technical explanation and break it down differently. Or they might see excitement peak during case studies and share more examples.

4. Create content that resonates

Your attendees don't all share the same knowledge level or interests. Some might be industry pros looking for advanced insights. Others might be newcomers seeking foundational knowledge. That's why one-size-fits-all content doesn't work anymore. Modern event platforms can suggest sessions based on each person's background and interests. As attendees engage in different sessions, the system learns their preferences and makes better suggestions. Live polling adds another layer of personalisation. Speakers can see which topics resonate most and adjust their presentations on the fly.

5. Track what works

Every click, meeting check-in and interaction tells a story about what your attendees value. By tracking these engagement patterns, you create a clear picture of each person's journey through your event.
Some attendees might join every workshop, while others spend more time meeting new people. Knowing these patterns helps you suggest the right activities to each person. You can spot who needs help finding their way around and who's ready for more advanced content.

6. Follow up with personal recaps

The end of your event shouldn't mean the end of the experience. Send each attendee their own event narrative: a customised recap of their journey. Include insights from meetings they attended, connections they made and content that sparked their interest. Like Spotify Wrapped, which captures someone's year in music, your event recap should capture their unique experience. Add suggestions for on-demand content related to their interests and introductions to people they might have missed meeting.

7. Get the details right

Small touches create lasting memories. When you greet attendees by name, pronounced correctly, they feel cared for. When you remember that Sarah needs gluten-free options or Mike uses a wheelchair, you show them they matter. Think about all the small moments in your event. The morning coffee setup. The breaks between panel discussions. The way signs guide people through your venue. Each detail adds up to make someone feel either lost or at home. Create quiet spaces and set up clear paths through busy areas. Place water stations where people gather. When you plan for comfort, your attendees focus on what matters instead of wondering where to find the restroom or whether they'll find food they can eat.

8. Use data

Data tells stories about your attendees. Before they arrive, learn what brings them to your event. Are they looking to solve specific problems? Want to meet certain types of people? Need to learn new skills? During your event, watch how people move and engage. Notice when conference rooms fill up and when they empty out. See who connects with whom during networking breaks. These patterns tell you what works and what needs changing. Look for trends in how people learn best. Some might jump between different discussions, sampling various topics. Others might dive deep into one track. But remember, this knowledge builds over time. Each event adds to your understanding of what different attendees need. Use these insights to create experiences that feel more personal and valuable every time. 

Finding your perfect space

Your venue choice plays a key role in personalisation. Some spaces naturally support different types of interactions better than others. 

The right venue makes it possible: from flexible meeting spaces to tech-enabled presentation areas. Venue Directory lists nearly 400,000 unique spaces, each with unique features to match your attendees' preferences. Whether you need quiet meeting corners, open networking spaces, sustainable venues or high-tech presentation rooms, Venue Directory has it all.

Find your next venue, and craft an event that tells a unique story for every attendee.

About the Author

Diana Tamboly is Field Marketing Manager, Europe for Cvent's Hospitality Cloud business in Europe. In her role, she's responsible for setting and delivering the strategic marketing direction for Venue Directory, a Cvent company.