”The education lined up for the event is in fact
uniquely focused on audience engagement.
As White says, “We’re not going for a one-
way conversation.” The conference will include
workshop formats in which people are actually
being engaged, and doing actual work. White
says with a smile, “People will get their hands
dirty.”
White’s enthusiasm for the freshness of this
year’s conference offerings is contagious. “Our
goal is to stimulate with non-repetitiveness,”
he says. “We’re probably going to be taking
people off-property. Change of venue, change
of space. We’re excited about the prospect of
incorporating some early-morning exercise
workshops,” he says. “Call them ‘Burn and
Learn.’ They’re for people who want physical
and mental activity mixed together. Our goals
are to push boundaries, engage different
muscles — literally and figuratively.”
Regarding the location of the event, White
says, “If the event industry were a place, it
would be Calgary.” He describes Calgary as an
exciting combination of urban development
and nature. Calgary has hosted massive events
like Stampede, an annual rodeo exhibition and
festival held every July, as well as the 1988
Winter Olympics. “It’s a great laboratory to
conduct creative thinking, engage in innovative
exercises and have very frank conversations,”
White says.
These frank conversations may include
discussions of the future of the event
industry, particularly regarding technology’s
influence. How will technology alter live event
experiences? ILEA Live 2017 will confront that
issue, as well as many others you’re itching to
know more about. Attendees can expect to
have a voice within the conference, as well:
This year features a crowdsourcing app to let
the event community continually share their
thoughts throughout the conference.
Register now at www.ilealive.com – best rates
expire June 2.
08
Photo credit: Lisa Hause