Weaving the Magic of Story-Led Experiential Through the World of Conferencing

At Hyphen, the team specialise in creating connected experiences that engage and influence consumers. But its expertise doesn't stop there - Hyphen also bring its experiential magic to the world of conferences. From sales kick-offs to annual company updates, its got you covered. In Q1 alone, Hyphen has supported Mars, Honda, and Suntory, targeting both B2B and B2E audiences

Here are its top tips to transform your conference from expected to experiential:

1. Theme

It all starts with a theme. We dive deep into your challenges and key messages, considering your target demographic, their behaviour and what truly makes them tick. This insight fuels our creative ideation, leading to a theme that flows through every touchpoint - from catering and entertainment to content. For us, a theme is the backbone of the event, ensuring every element reflects your ambitions and leaves a lasting memory.

For Suntory's recent conference, their ambitious goals for 2025 inspired us. We created the theme 'Dare to be Different League' to unite their Field and Internal Sales Teams and encourage bold thinking. Everything had to be different from the usual conference format.

2. Venue

Why settle for ordinary? Choose a venue that inspires and supports your theme. The right setting can transform your event from mundane to magical. We chose Leicester Tigers for Suntory’s venue, a place that embodies the spirit of daring to be different, just like rugby's origins.

3. Captivating Content and Forward-Thinking Formats

Boring content? Death by PowerPoint? Not here! Ensure your sessions are packed with relevant, diverse topics delivered by dynamic speakers. Whilst supporting Suntory we quickly banned PowerPoint slides and brought in an improv rapper as the host. Presenters turned their sessions into gameshows and locker room environments, and we kicked off Day Two with a Big Breakfast rave.

4. Interactivity

Ditch the dull lectures! Get your attendees involved with hands-on workshops, lively Q&A panels, digital engagement, and dynamic breakout sessions. For Suntory, this included Haka energisers which brought to life how the All Blacks Dare to be Different on the world stage and audience participation, making the energy soar throughout the event.

5. Connectivity

Networking is the lifeblood of any conference. Create engaging spaces, host meet-and-greets, and plan social elements that make mingling easy and fun. We introduced a league theme for Suntory, encouraging attendees to compete in a conference tournament and engage in physical sporting games during downtime. Shout out to this year’s winning team – The Fizzy Rascals!

6. Energising Entertainment

Break up the day with fun! Live music, captivating performances, and interactive elements keep the energy high and the boredom at bay. The lucky Suntory team were surprised by guest speaker David Meade, a mentalist and psychologist, who captivated the room and inspired everyone to think differently. The evening continued with a pre-drinks party, a unique street dance routine, and DJ Jaguar Skills on the decks (renowned for his innovative and different style).

Day Two started with a Big Breakfast Rave hosted by Denise Van Outen, sharing her journey of how the Big Breakfast dared to be different in the world of Morning TV and how she has personally dared more and dreamed big.

By incorporating these key elements, you’ll create a conference that’s not just an event, but an experience. Your attendees will leave inspired, energised, and counting down the days until your next conference.

Ready to make your next conference the best one yet? Say Hy!