Meetings Blog Oct 25, 2017
The sight of a row of colorful Fiat 500s neatly parked outside our NH Collection Roma Palazzo Cinquecento hotel. Are we back in the 1960s? Maybe there’s a vintage car tour exploring the Roman capital? Or a break in the filming of a ‘Made in Italy’ remake? Whatever the reason, these motors stand out from the modern crowd and immediately transport your mind back to a by-gone era, everyone with their own personal recollections or impressions.
What evokes memories of the past in you? Is it an old Polaroid snap that stands out in today’s world of digital photos? Maybe it’s the smell of homemade lemonade that takes you back to your mother’s kitchen. What about the sound of that school disco classic from the 70s, 80s or 90s? Whatever it is, these can be powerful emotions and the positivity linked to them can be a great source of material for event planners. The words ‘vintage’ and ‘retro’ are cool so jump aboard the nostalgia train.
When we are reminded of times gone by, we tend to recall the good aspects of them. The university victory; the best friend celebration; that first promotion, and the sun-drenched barbecue: all special moments with a place in the memory bank. These reminiscences are inspiring, bringing out that youthful exuberance and desire in us. Give that gift to your attendees for the duration of the event and you’re likely to see their impact, and fulfillment, increase. Tapping into that positive enthusiasm also drives engagement, whether directly with a nostalgically themed event or more subtly with décor reminders and F&B teasers.
Looking for the right triggers for the desired emotions is easy, and fun, as there is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to resource material. If music can play a part in your event, for example, try picking some of the big tunes from when your audience, or at least a significant part of it, were in their late teens/early twenties. Watch as their excitement grows as soon as they hear the first few beats. You may be showcasing some state-of-the-art technology so why not throw in an 80s style arcade machine or two to demonstrate how things have moved on…while also allowing your attendees to return to their youth. (It can even be used to help gamify the event!)
From music to tech, old boards games to bags of candy, iconic décor to smells of times gone by, explore new ideas for adding the effective stimulus of nostalgia to your next event. And if you can get your hands on a collection of vintage cars, you’ll be sure to fuel their curiosity!
