March 4, 2024

Elevating Physical Events Through Digital Customer Experiences

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the way we engage with customers and attendees at events has undergone a profound transformation. Elevating events through digital customer experiences has become not just important, but essential for success.

Throughout this blog series, we'll dive deep into the primary trends shaping digital experiences, customer flows, and engagements in 2024.

We begin with this overall introduction, setting the stage for the journey ahead. 
In our upcoming posts, we'll deep dive more specifically into the trends and provide actionable insights that you can implement right away.

Reach your customers before, during, after – and beyond events

Many businesses today still view their online presence as merely complementary to physical events, rather than recognizing its equal importance. The convergence of the digital and physical journey demands that companies prioritize online experiences to meet the customer expectations of today. 

Every interaction – every click, swipe, and scroll – molds the customer's perception, a power that can either fortify or jeopardize your brand. 

Thriving in this arena demands a robust digital infrastructure capable of delivering mind-blowing experiences to customers across their online platforms. This means using new technology to make sure customers' experiences are smooth and secure, while also using data and AI to create personalized interactions that leave a lasting impression on your audience – long after your event is over.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Let's start with the superhero of modern marketing, on your way to a seamless omnichannel experience: first-party data. In an era where privacy concerns and third-party data are hard to pin down, first-party data swoops in to save the day. By thoroughly exploring customer interactions and gaining valuable insights, it will reveal the deepest desires and habits of your customers, allowing you to craft experiences so personalized that they feel like they were tailored for each individual. That’s also were AI come in handy to help you create personalized experiences for your customers, based on their inputs to drive data decision making. 

Take, for instance, the world's leading ticketing platforms, which have bid farewell to traditional PDF tickets. Instead, tickets are exclusively available via an app, conveniently purchased with a simple swipe through Apple Pay. This feature allows them to enable personalized experiences and fostering collaboration with physical venues. By owning customer data and experiences, these platforms optimize operations and drive mutual growth through strategic partnerships. E.g. from  queue management to engagement opportunities, leveraging data driven decision making. 

But wait, there’s more!


Mandatory Accessibility for all

Beyond customer preferences, ensuring accessibility for all is no longer a choice but a legal mandate. The forthcoming implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA)[1] underlines the importance of inclusive digital experiences. Businesses must design resilient, nimble, and innovative customer journeys that cater to diverse needs. This legislation mandates that digital services and products must be accessible to all, including those with disabilities.

In the future, human-centric design will become a standard. And by “the future”, we mean as soon as next year. This brings us to our next point, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the improvement of customer experiences.


[1] https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/


Adapting to rapid technological advancements

Technological advancements and legal requirements progress rapidly, often at an exponential rate, while organizational changes tend to occur more slowly, following a logarithmic progression. In other words, technology evolves quickly and dramatically, whereas organizational changes, such as implementing new technologies strategies or adapting to technological advancements happens at a slower pace and incremental. Therefore, management must be deliberate in selecting which technological changes to adopt to. In conclusion, in the dynamic digital landscape of 2024, prioritizing first-party data, adhering to accessibility standards, and implementing seamless digital customer journeys are imperative for success in the meeting with the brand. By embracing these principles, businesses can enhance customer experiences, demonstrate commitment to inclusivity, and elevate the event experiences.

How to begin this journey ? 

Is your event seeking to enhance its digital customer journey?

Reach out to gain more insights and guidance on where to begin, what to do and how to elevate your physical event through digital costumer experiences.


Maria K. Lotze-Olsen

Digital Strategy Manager & Designer
mlo@ps-com.dk
LinkedIn

January 5, 2024

Experiential trends and tendencies 2024

In more ways than one, 2023 has been a transformative year. Navigating through these shifts poses as both a challenge but also creates an array of exciting opportunities as we turn the leaf for 2024.

Crafting events that spark the curiosity and excitement of your core audience can create a lasting impression and an invaluable emotional connection to your brand. Part of knowing how to shape these experiences and spark a conversation, comes down to anticipating industry shifts and staying ahead of the trends as we look towards 2024.


Explore our key 5 experiential trends of 2024:

  1. Destinations must give life meaning
    2023 has put further emphasis on the value of experiences over material possessions. With increased reliance on technology, there's a growing trend towards immersive and transformative group experiences in unique settings. Align your offerings with visitors' individual aspirations, providing a meaningful purpose for their journey beyond the comforts of home.

  2. True Immersion
    Our gravitation towards meaningful experiences reflects a deep desire for intimacy and connection. Immersive experience that manage to surpass traditional media, will effectively enhance learning, social bonds, and well-being of your core audience. True immersion, engaging all senses and involving participants fully, creates transformative magic, leaving a lasting impression beyond social media.

  3. Regenerative Thinking
    In a world grappling with environmental challenges, a regenerative approach offers a slither of hope. Applying it to event planning and marketing involves holistic approaches that actively contribute to well-being beyond sustainability. Emphasizing regenerative practices captivates purpose-driven consumers aligned with brands committed to positive transformation. 

  4. AI - The world is now different
    Public AI tools like ChatGPT have reshaped our AI interactions, sparking conversations on ethical use, while also empowering users, and refining our understanding of AI's role. Event planners now use AI to personalize experiences, leveraging data to adapt seamlessly to attendee preferences throughout their journey. Success lies in a nuanced understanding of customer needs and preferences, knowing when human interaction is preferred and when to seamlessly integrate AI.

  5. Data & analytics drive decision-making
    In an increasingly complex world, data and analytics have become vital in corporate event planning, acknowledging that each attendee can impact your event and brand. By understanding and integrating the behaviors, thoughts, and perspectives of clients, customers, and sponsors, a nuanced 'both/and' approach can be adopted, leaving behind the limited 'either/or' mindset. Engaging all stakeholders through co-creation ensures events that truly embody the brand's essence, elevating its value for attendees.

Feel free to reach out for additional insights, answers to your questions, or to discuss new ideas you'd like to explore or develop. We're eager to  jump in a call, meet over coffee, or to engage in an inspirational presentation on our 2024 trends. 

October 5, 2023

Crafting Sustainable Events for a Greener Future

The experience and event industry is growing rapidly, and new reports suggest that our industry’s annual carbon footprint could be as high as the entire US yearly emissions – accounting for more than 10% of the global CO2 emissions(!).

As a brand experience agency this places a great responsibility on our shoulders. So, what can we do?


We recognize that the environmental impacts from event activities derive from a diverse set of parameters, including travel and transportation, catering, energy usage and production. Thus, we have committed to measuring the emissions generated from these activities while using this process to build up experience and develop innovative ways of designing tomorrows valuable and sustainable brand experiences.

We have launched two initiatives that we are actively pursuing both internally and externally when working with our clients. One is centered around implementing sustainability in our work processes, mindset and production methods, while the other is grounded in data collection, analysis and insights.


1. Transforming the way of thinking, creating and working.

Creating experiences with a focus on minimizing their negative environmental impact is not only a game of reducing or eliminating specific elements; it’s also about approaching and rethinking experiences from a fresh perspective.

This approach to green transformation goes hand in hand with innovation and requires a great amount of creativity and the capacity to ask the right questions. For instance, considering how we can use the experience as a tool to reduce participant transportation rather than only focusing on how we can reduce transportation in the specific experience. On our journey towards a greener future, we’ve embarked this approach to experience design by prioritizing three core areas in our work process.

These core areas will serve as the bedrock for our evolving sustainability strategy, fostering creativity, fresh perspectives, and ultimately, more environmentally sustainable solutions in the future.

    1. Think Nordic, Work Local
      Limiting transport and travel distances is one the most effective ways to reduce the emission of greenhouse gas emissions in our industry, with transport and travel contributing to 60-90% of an event’s emission. Over the past two decades, we have worked strategically on a Nordic level while sourcing locally. This allows us to balance the benefits of the Nordic market opportunities with the advantages of local relationships, workflows and resources, ultimately reducing emissions from long distances transports and embracing local initiatives and venues.

    2. Collaboration
      We aim to improve these relationships and work even closer with clients, partners and suppliers to find ways to execute a unified sustainable vision. Resource efficiency, knowledge sharing and long-term partnerships foster innovations and improvements, contributing not only to sustainable solutions but also laying the foundation for stronger collaborations and more valuable brand experiences.

    3. Rethink, Reuse, Recycle
      Close collaborations create an innovative environment that is crucial for developing new experience designs. Through eco-friendly products, new production methods, shared resource concepts and complex problem-solving, we reimagine experience designs. We want to identify new methods of re-using assets across industries, clients and suppliers, extending the lifespan of products, assets and experiences and thereby reducing the use of virgin materials and reintegrating waste materials back into the cycle so that they have a purposeful onward life.

    2. A real-time carbon impact reporting tool

    As a partner of George P. Johnson and Project WorldWide, we at ps. communication can utilize TRACE; a comprehensive real-time carbon and waste measurement platform designed specifically for events and already used by agencies worldwide.

    TRACE seeks to provide visibility on the environmental impact of events and facilitate carbon and waste reduction through guidance - provisioned within the tool.

    Capturing emissions and waste data from live, hybrid and digital events, TRACE generates impact reports in real time.

    Our team at ps., will be able to utilize this tool project-based, providing our clients with insights, measurements and data reports, that support decision-making on our journey toward a greener future of experiences.  


    In conclusion, we strongly embrace the need for sustainable changes and we’re committed to developing sustainable strategies to assist us – and you, our beloved clients – in implementing the necessary sustainable changes.

    Reach out to learn more and receive an introduction to the tool and our visions for crafting greener experience solutions for the future.

    Curious to know more?
    Reach out to us!

    Mai Aabenhuus

    Mai Aabenhuus

    Head of Creative Services & Sustainability
    maa@ps-com.dk

    Lasse Tvede von Magius

    Project Manager & Sustainability Consultant
    ltm@ps-com.dk

    February 1, 2023

    Experiential trends and tendencies 2023

    2023 is finally here and it's time to start exploring new opportunities to create meaningful connections and moments that matter.

    By staying ahead of the curve and understanding these trends, you can create experiences that are memorable, impactful, and meaningful. Experiences that leave a lasting impression.



    Here are the top 5 experiential trends to keep an eye on in 2023:

    1. Emphasizing human-first experiences:
      In the wake of the pandemic, people are craving human connection more than ever before. Events that prioritize the human connection will be in high demand, with organizers focusing on creating intimate, interactive experiences that bring people together.
    2. Sustainability is non-negotiable:
      Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, it's becoming a crucial part of the customer decision-making process. Brands that prioritize sustainability in their experiences will stand out and show their customers that they care about the sustainability goals and their impact on it.
    3. A return to deep in-peson connectivity: Whether it's through networking opportunities, hands-on workshops, or immersive experiences, events that prioritize deep in-person connectivity are providing attendees with a sense of belonging, that’s worth spending value time on.
    4. Physical and digital keeps converging: 
      The lines between the physical and digital worlds are becoming increasingly blurred. As technology advances, events are becoming more immersive and interactive, with organizers leveraging digital tools to create new and exciting experiences.
    5. Driving health, accessibility and inclusion:
      The world is becoming more inclusive and a customer-first priority, when attending events. The by prioritizing these issues, brands are creating environments that are safe, accessible, and inclusive for all attendees.
    Download the report and uncover more insights.


    Please reach out for more insights, answers to your questions or new ideas you would like to discuss or develop.

    We´re happy to jump in a call or drop by for a coffee and a inspirational talk.



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