Meetings Blog Nov 30, 2018
Winds in the east, mist coming in,
Like somethin’ is brewin’ and bout to begin
Can’t put me finger on what lies in store
But I fear what’s to happen all happened before
Can you remember the first time you saw Mary Poppins on screen? The magic, the fun, the tunes, the utter silliness! Well, the irresistible nanny is back, with Emily Blunt not looking a day older than Julie Andrews did back in the 1960s. Ms Poppins may have proved herself as the ultimate helper in the home and taken a special place in the hearts of the Banks children, but that got us thinking: what would she be like as an event planner?
The objects and powers that she has at her disposal could come in really handy when a meeting or event needs to be arranged. We ponder just how best they could be used in an attempt to be just like her, as the tape measure said: ‘practically perfect in every way’.
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever”
A bag with no bottom. An infinite collection of items all within your grasp wherever and whenever you need them. Wow! That really is an event planner’s dream. In the original film Mary pulled out a full-size hat stand, a large mirror, a plant, and a lamp, all in order to add some finishing touches to the Banks’ room, and there was so much more in there. It may be, however, that a digital smartscreen for interactive presentations, a handy guide to content marketing strategy or a selection of deliciously tempting breaks just when you need them, would prove more useful at your event.
To ensure you’re ready for some ad hoc brainstorming session your own bag, briefcase or backpack, could contain Post-it notes, colored highlighters, blank paper, and maybe a list of logical-thinking games. The list can be personalized depending on your perceived needs for the specific event. And although the truly enchanted bag may just be an idea from the mind of P.L. Travers, we have seen in recent years that this fantasy may be closer to becoming true, as technology aims to replicate the magic, just like NH Hotel Group’s technology solutions.
“You think, you wink, you do a double blink. You close your eyes and jump!”
Imagine you could take a piece of coloured chalk and with it create an image on the floor that opened a portal to a magical dimension full of fun. Mary Poppins, along with her sidekick chimneysweep Bert and the children, famously headed off through a sketch on the street to dance with penguin waiters and ride the carousel. In the land of events, you may instead opt for an alternative singular venue to leave your own attendees amazed. And just like the Banks children, they’ll have a once in a lifetime experience that will never fade from their memory.
As an event planner, sometimes that creativity to come up with effective designs, decorations, supporting technology, and social media communications can be the hardest part. Although magic chalk may not be a viable option, utilizing the vast online resources available can provide the spark to get things firing.
“Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way”
As Mary tried to convey to Jane and Michael, any job you have to do can be turned into a game, by finding the fun in it. And by doing this, she said, it becomes a ‘piece of cake’. What her delightfully elaborate song and dance is all about is effectively ‘gamification’. Think about what you could do at a meeting to turn a simple task into a thought-provoking game. Or maybe use mobile technology or an outdoor activity for a larger event to get attendees competing against one another. Solutions for increased engagement with just the click of your fingers.
Mary’s medicinal phrase is also appropriate for those times when you’ve got a message to deliver regarding your client’s brand. Add a little ‘sweetness’ by using astute marketing tactics, providing memorable experiences, or by tapping into human emotions. A few surprises along the way can also go down a treat!
“There’s the whole world at your feet. And who gets to see it but the birds, the stars, and the chimney sweeps”
To the passing observer, this nifty gadget doesn’t look like anything more than a pretty, parrot-headed rain protector. However, we now know that it is the item that allows Mary to fly to wherever she needs to get to, giving her an aerial view of all below her. What a lovely thought.
And where better to get the perfect view than from a creatively designed rooftop terrace? Being able to ascend to a high open-air space for follow-up activities, refection, or simply to let your hair down after the meetings are over, can add a great deal of value to the sessions themselves. Some would say magical!
“…even though the sound of it, is something quite atrocious”
Whether you sound precocious or not saying it loudly, this wonderful word is certainly one of the longest in many people’s vocabulary. And event planners may not have realized that with it, Mary Poppins was handing over a very important message: ensure you have the ‘wow’ factor in whatever you do. Every meeting or event that you organize should be incredible, amazing, wonderful, exceptional, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, and with the appropriate amount of magic added for the desired result. Try getting your attendees leaving the venue singing a personalized version of the 14-syllable lyric, ‘Events-pialidocious’ sounds rather fun and is certain to put a smile on your guests’ faces, giving them even more memories to take away.
Fictional she may be, but nonetheless an inspirational character for children and event planners alike.
