KUBATANA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2022
AFR I LABS
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At the centre of the planning of any event is the experience of the participants. EVERY aspect of event planning is centred around the “Event Experience” and how it can be improved. This is done while ensuring that the event’s objectives and de- sired outcomes are achieved. This article is designed to ensure your next event message and experience will be memorable. When we plan the AfriLabs An- nual Gathering, one of our major event design tools is “THE CREA- TION OF THE PASS-ALONG STO- RY”. People remember by sharing stories and experiences; this is why we have legends and folk- lore. The question is how do we build experiences that become stories with lasting impact? There are 4 foundational strate- gies to build a pass-along story: DECIDING WHO YOUR STORYTELLER IS • Who is your storyteller/ attendee? • Where do they work? • What is their name?
Imagine them clearly and be as specific as you can.
to curate. Important questions to be an- swered are: • What do I hope to achieve from this event? • What will be the lasting im- pact of this event?” • How will this event enable my organisation and sponsors to attain their long and short- term goals? Every year when we plan the Af- riLabs Annual Gathering, we al- ways make sure that the theme, content and ultimately the over- all experience are centred around AfriLabs’ strategic goals. I have found out in my nine years of experience in putting together events that, connecting with your audience experientially through their passions creates the most impact. This is why every year when we plan the AfriLabs Annu- al Gathering, we make sure we have parallel experiences that cater to specific “passions” so that the event’s experiences stay
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MAPPING OUT HOW AND WHERE THIS STORY WILL BE PASSED ALONG. This is essentially the “Campfire”. Where will they deliver this sto- ry and to whom? Try to imagine what emotion this story will evoke in them and the listener. THE TALE (THE CONTENT) This is the most important part. It should always have a beginning, middle and end. What moments will be irresistible to share? Is there a surprise element? Or something incredibly unique? For the AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2021, it was the gala. A night that showcased Africa’s rich cultur- al heritage while we celebrated AfriLabs’ 10th anniversary. This was our incredibly unique irre- sistible tale. THE MESSAGE Set out your goals and objec- tives for the event. When you know what the event is set to achieve, it is easier to plan an ex- perience. It also helps when you know what you want out of the event and what data you will like
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PAN-AFRICAN EVENT THE ART OF PLANNING A
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impactful and insightful. Goodluck with your next pan-African event!
PASE TEMITOPE Ecosystem Events Officer at AfriLabs BY JENNIFER OKEKE-OJIUDU Ecosystem Events Manager &
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