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Designing an Engaging and Interactive Experiential Marketing Event Experience

Experiential marketing forges unforgettable bonds, immersing fans in a captivating world that dazzles the senses and sparks buzz.

The tried-and-true advertising playbook is losing its punch as people learn to tune out the cacophony.

Enter experiential marketing.

By crafting immersive, hands-on experiences, brands can forge powerful emotional bonds with their audience that skyrocket brand awareness, loyalty, and sales.

Experiential marketing events get up close and personal with consumers, letting them interact with a brand in a real, tangible way.

When executed flawlessly, these experiences etch themselves into memory, sparking social media shares and word-of-mouth buzz that spreads like wildfire.

So, how do you whip up an experiential event that’ll knock your audience’s socks off?

It takes a heaping dose of creativity, a dash of strategic planning, and a generous sprinkle of perfect execution.

In this post, we'll dive headfirst into the secret sauce of crafting an engaging, interactive brand experience that'll have them coming back for seconds.

From nailing down your goals to harnessing the power of tech to measuring your success, you’ll learn how to whip up an event that immerses consumers in your brand story and leaves them hungry for more.

Ready to color outside the lines and push the boundaries of what’s possible with experiential marketing?

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Define Your Goals and Target Audience

Any experiential event worth its salt starts with crystal-clear goals and a bullseye understanding of your target audience.

What’s the big prize you’re aiming for with this event?

  • Boosting brand awareness?
  • Revving up sales?
  • Cultivating die-hard customer loyalty?
  • Something else entirely?

Nailing down specific, measurable goals is your trusty compass, guiding your strategy and helping you gauge the event’s impact.

Next up, it’s time to get up close and personal with your target audience.

We’re talking way beyond those surface-level demographics – you need to dig deep into what makes them tick, what gets them fired up, and what keeps them up at night.

What kind of experiences will strike a chord with them on an emotional level?

How can you tailor the event to their unique tastes and preferences?

For example:

  • Targeting millennials? Focus on creating Insta-worthy photo ops and weaving social media into every nook and cranny.
  • Got families in your sights? Cook up some kid-friendly activities and creature comforts to keep the whole crew happy.

To really get inside your audience’s heads, whip up detailed personas and dive in deep.

Conduct market research, pick your customers’ brains with surveys, and sift through social media insights ’til you can paint a vivid picture of your ideal attendee.

Use this juicy intel to shape every last detail of the event, from venue selection to the activities on tap.

The most unforgettable experiential marketing events are the ones that feel authentic to the brand while delivering real, tangible value to attendees.

Ditch the gimmicks and ditch the hard sell – aim to enhance people's lives in some meaningful way, whether that's teaching them something new, entertaining them, or helping them tackle a pesky problem.

Take Lean Cuisine’s #WeighThis campaign – instead of pushing products, they sparked a powerful dialogue about how women want to be seen and valued beyond the number on the scale.

By tapping into their target audience’s struggles with body image and self-worth, Lean Cuisine created an experience that uplifted and empowered women, positioning the brand as a true ally.

So, as you’re nailing down your goals and target audience, dare to think bigger and bolder.

How can you bust through the expected and create an experience that’s truly one-of-a-kind?

When you’re not afraid to be different, you’ll slice through the noise like a hot knife through butter.

Get “The Event Success Playbook”

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Craft an Immersive, Interactive Experience

Now for the fun part – designing an experiential event that’ll dazzle the senses and invite hands-on play!

The most impactful experiences plunge attendees into a brand’s world, spinning a captivating yarn that tugs on the heartstrings.

Engage Multiple Senses

Want to pull off the immersive experience of the century?

Don’t just lean on pretty visuals – tease and tantalize as many senses as you can!

Weave in sound, touch, smell, even taste and you’ll sear the event into people’s memories.

Some ideas to get your wheels turning:

  • Unleash a signature scent that captures your brand’s vibe
  • Dish up tempting treats and sips that complement your theme
  • Play with lighting and tunes to set the perfect mood and energy
  • Let folks get their hands on your products in fun, unexpected ways

Refinery29’s 29Rooms event is the master class in multisensory magic.

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This annual funhouse of style, culture, and creativity boasts 29 wildly different rooms, each with its own one-of-a-kind theme and interactive elements.

Visitors can plunge into a life-size snow globe, hop on a giant typewriter, or strut through a neon-drenched tunnel.

By tickling multiple senses in delightfully surprising ways, 29Rooms leaves an impression that sticks.

Make it Hands-On

Experiential marketing is all about rolling up your sleeves and diving in headfirst!

Attendees shouldn’t just be passive observers – invite them to get their hands dirty and play with your brand.

This could mean:

  • Testing out products in a quirky, unexpected way
  • Jumping into a themed game or activity
  • Putting their personal stamp on a custom take-home goodie
  • Adding their own special something to a collaborative art piece

The more interactive the experience, the more engaged your guests will be.

They’ll linger longer, play harder, and soak up more quality time with your brand.

More facetime = more chances to make a lasting impact!

M&M’s nailed the interactive angle with their Flavor Room pop-up.

Visitors teamed up with an expert to invent their dream M&M flavor, customizing every last detail from the chocolate coating to the mix-ins.

By handing the reins over to consumers, M&M’s forged a deeper connection that felt personal and memorable.

Harness Technology

Don’t be shy about weaving cutting-edge tech into your experiential marketing event!

When used strategically, technology can crank up the immersion, interactivity, and shareability to 11.

Some ideas to get your gears turning:

  • VR or AR experiences that whisk attendees off to another world
  • RFID wristbands for easy-breezy cashless payments & personalized content
  • Social media walls splashing real-time event photos & tweets
  • Gamification goodies like leaderboards and prizes

The key is to sprinkle in tech in a way that feels authentic to your brand and genuinely enhances the attendee experience.

Avoid using flashy bells and whistles just for the sake of it – every element should serve a purpose and enrich the overall story you’re telling.

Inspire Social Sharing

In the age of the ‘gram, experiential marketing events are primo opportunities to get tongues wagging on social media.

Nudge attendees to snap and share pics by peppering in eye-catching, shareable moments from start to finish!

We’re talking a jaw-dropping art installation, a wildly interactive photo booth, or a larger-than-life product display.

Make sure your branding is woven in seamlessly, so it’s instantly recognizable when those posts start flying.

Oh, and don’t forget to cook up a catchy, unique event hashtag and plaster it everywhere!

You could even spice things up with a social media contest or giveaway to really get people posting.

By designing an experience that's equal parts immersive and shareable, your reach will stretch miles beyond the event itself.

Attendees morph into brand ambassadors, trumpeting your message far and wide and cranking up the volume on your brand’s buzz.

 

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Choose the Right Venue and Format

When it comes to pulling off an experiential event that wows, the venue and format can make or break the whole shebang.

The right setting will plunge attendees into your brand’s world, while a mismatched spot can leave the whole thing feeling disjointed and off-key.

As you’re scouting potential venues, think hard about how the space jives with your brand image and event goals.

  • Is it in a spot that’s easy-peasy for your target audience to get to?
  • Does it have the right vibe and amenities to bring your vision roaring to life?

Let’s say you’re a fitness brand itching to host a wellness retreat.

A tranquil outdoor oasis like a beach or mountain hideaway would be pure perfection.

Or maybe you’re a tech startup ready to unveil your latest and greatest gadget – an industrial loft space could lend that edgy, “aha!” feel you’re after.

Don’t be afraid to color outside the lines and look beyond the usual event circuit!

Some of the most mind-blowing experiential events have unfolded in wildly unexpected locales, from abandoned warehouses to subway stations to public parks.

The key is to pick a place that spins your brand story and sparks the kind of interactions you’re dreaming up.

Now, let’s chat format.

  • Will your event be a one-day burst of excitement or a multi-day marathon of awesome?
  • Will it be open to any and all or an exclusive, invite-only affair?
  • Will it be a standalone event or tie into a bigger cultural moment that’s got everyone buzzing?

Pop-up shops, mobile tours, and product launches are all classic formats for experiential marketing events, each with its own special sauce and logistical quirks to wrangle.

For example, a pop-up shop lets you whip up an immersive brand experience smack dab in a high-traffic hotspot, reeling in fresh faces and revving up sales.

A mobile tour lets you take your brand show on the road, tailoring the experience to each new city and crowd.

And a product launch drums up major hype and anticipation around your shiny new thing.

As you’re mulling over formats, think about how each one will help you nail your specific goals and electrify your target audience.

Heck, you might even want to mash up a few different formats to create a truly unique experience that’ll have them talking for days!

Take the Museum of Ice Cream – this pop-up sensation has hopscotched from city to city, each spot decked out with its own wildly Instagrammable installations and local flair.

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By blending the can’t-miss urgency of a pop-up with the thrill of a traveling spectacle, the Museum of Ice Cream has whipped up massive buzz and sold out tickets left and right.

At the end of the day, the "just right" venue and format will depend on your brand, your budget, and your big, bold objectives.

But if you dare to get creative and put the attendee experience in the starring role, you’ll be on your way to an event that’ll really pop!

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Promote Your Event and Extend the Experience

You could have the most mind-blowing experiential event in the history of events, but if nobody shows up, it’s all for naught!

That’s why promo is the secret sauce to driving attendance and getting people amped.

First up, map out your promo game plan.

  • Will you lean on organic social media, shell out for paid ads, rally your email list, tap your PR magic, or do a little mix-and-match?
  • Think about where your target audience hangs out online and tailor your approach to meet them where they are.

As you’re crafting your promo content, focus on stirring up major FOMO (that’s “fear of missing out” for the uninitiated).

Tease one-of-a-kind experiences, limited-edition goodies, or special guests who’ll be making an appearance.

Sprinkle in some countdowns and sneak peeks to really get the anticipation bubbling.

Partnering up with influencers can also be a power move for getting the word out.

Scope out influencers who sync up with your brand values and have a loyal following among your target demographic.

Invite them to come play at your event and share the juicy details with their crew.

But here’s the thing – the fun doesn’t have to fizzle out when the event ends!

To squeeze every last drop of impact out of your experiential marketing magic, keep the good vibes rolling long after the confetti’s been swept up.

You might try:

  • Sending personal, memorable follow-up notes with photos and highlights
  • Rewarding attendees with VIP discounts or loyalty perks
  • Sharing all that glorious user-generated content on your own social channels
  • Cooking up a spiffy microsite or landing page with recaps and BTS peeks

By keeping the conversation going post-event, you can cement that bond with attendees and transform them into raving brand superfans.

Oh, and don’t forget to put all that juicy data and intel you gathered to work!

Scoop up attendee deets through event registration, surveys, or on-site activations.

Then use those precious nuggets to add personal flair to your messaging and shape future experiences around their unique tastes.

Mastercard’s “Priceless Surprises” campaign is a master class in using data for experiential magic.

By digging into cardholders’ spending patterns and social media activity, Mastercard dreams up delightful, one-of-a-kind experiences tailored just for them – we’re talking celebrity meet-and-greets, VIP access to sold-out events, the works!

When you keep the party going long after the event itself, you’ll squeeze every last drop of ROI out of your experiential efforts and spark a virtuous cycle of engagement and die-hard loyalty that’ll have them coming back for more!

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Measure Success and Optimize for the Future

You’ve poured your blood, sweat, and tears into crafting an experiential marketing bash for the ages.

But how do you know if all that hard work paid off?

To prove the value of your event and set yourself up for even bigger, better, bolder experiences down the line, you’ve gotta measure its success.

But with a million and one potential metrics to track, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds.

Start by circling back to those goals you set way back at the beginning.

What were you gunning for with this event?

  • Revving up brand buzz?
  • Boosting sales?
  • Cultivating customer loyalty?

Whatever your north star, it should be your guiding light as you pick and choose which metrics matter most.

Some common ways to gauge an experiential marketing event’s success:

  • Attendance: How many folks rolled through? Did you hit your magic number?
  • Engagement: How long did people stick around and play with your brand? Which activities or installations really got them going?
  • Social media chatter: How many people were posting and gushing about your event online? Were the vibes positive, negative, or somewhere in between?
  • Sales: Did the event light a fire under anyone’s wallets? How does the revenue stack up to your usual conversion rates?
  • Brand perception: Did the event shift the way people see and feel about your brand? Consider running some surveys before and after to track any movement in brand awareness, warm-fuzzies, or intent to buy.

Now, not every metric will make sense for every event – it’s all about zeroing in on the ones that sync up with your goals and that you can realistically track and measure.

To scoop up all that precious data, mix a few tactics – track the cold, hard numbers like attendance and sales, but also gather up all that juicy anecdotal feedback from attendees and staff on the ground.

Post-event surveys, social media snooping, and on-site chats can all unearth priceless nuggets of intel.

Once you’ve got a treasure trove of data to dig into, sift through it to spot the bright spots and “oops” moments.

Did certain slices of the event really strike a chord? Were there any logistical snafus or speed bumps for attendees?

Put all those lessons learned to work to fine-tune and zhuzh up your future experiential events – crank up the volume on what worked like gangbusters, and tweak or toss what fell flat.

By relentlessly gathering and applying those insights, you’ll sharpen your approach and keep wowing them, event after event.

Ready to Craft an Experiential Event That’ll Blow Your Audience Away?

Schedule a free strategy session with the award-winning team at We & Goliath!

In just one call, we’ll dive into your wildest event goals and cook up a custom plan to bring them to life.

With our whip-smart strategies, cutting-edge tech, and unparalleled expertise, we’ll help you create an immersive, unforgettable experience that’ll have your attendees raving.

Let’s join forces and unleash an experiential marketing tidal wave your audience will never forget!

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We & Goliath

We & Goliath is an award-winning, top 100 worldwide event agency known for increasing conference attendance by 7X and profits by 3X through beautifully designed virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. Since 1999, their team of innovative strategists and creative designers has worked with global enterprises, SMBs, non-profits, and other organizations to engage audiences and exceed expectations.

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