We Rocked the 3-in-1 Party
Posted on August 21st, 2009 by Cynthia D'Amour
At ASAE09
How do you meet the needs of many at a single party?
- By many, I mean thousands.
- Of different generations.
- And multiple likes.
Often, the farewell party at ASAE has been pretty much one-size fits all.
- Appetizers galore.
- A band popular in the 1970s.
- In a big concert venue.
Toronto had some similar elements.
- A variety of finger food.
- RBTO - a tired cousin of Bachman Turner Overdrive.
- A big concert hall.
By using space creatively, Toronto also created three parties in one.
- The typical happy Boomers jamming down memory lane.
- An elite, bouncer-protected party on high.
- And a laid back (younger) venue by the water.
I chose the waterfront venue.
- Hanging with friends.
- Food and drinks flowing.
- Relaxing as we enjoyed the pretty Toronto cityscape.
Between us, the elite party bugged me.
- Created a feel of the haves and have-nots.
- Especially as the haves looked down on the concert space through the glass-walled, second-floor, party deck.
- Plus I had to climb over the clipboard-bearing elite party bouncer every time I needed to use the bathroom.
Still, all in all, I appreciated the opportunity to customize my last night in Toronto.
Makes me think of chapter leader…how do you create options for new experiences within traditional events?
Filed under: Board challenges, Getting More Members Involved
Annual Meeting Roundup: Post-postgame…
The discussion inspired by Annual Meeting continues with several great blog posts: - Elizabeth Weaver Engel recommends faking your own death if necessary to see Clay Shirky speak (plus four other “top 5″ lessons learned at Annual). - KiKi L’Italien….
Who got to go to the elite party? I would have had to crash it out of curiosity!
We are not sure. Folks allowed to go up had special necklaces. When asked, some of them were not even sure why they were on the list.
Crashing was not an option. They had 1-2 bouncers at the magic door every time I walked by. Even if you had a necklace, you still had to have your name on the list.
Security was very tight. Am wondering what they were serving up there…
Oh, come on, Cynthia — I agree that the setup with the options was fab, and personally I moved back and forth between the “elite” party and the deck (the sliders and fish tacos on the deck were much better than the froo-froo plates being passed upstairs).
But for the record, it wasn’t an “elite” party, though it was purposefully set up to seem that way — the sponsor was Toronto CVB folks and the upstairs party was for association people, ie, they didn’t invite vendors, consultants and the like. The “vip passes” were distributed pretty broadly to association attendees (I’m guessing probably national and international association attendees) in the mail before the conference.
You can’t blame them for setting it up this way — their goal is to reach their potential clients. This was a way to focus on the people who might actually become clients. Let’s not forget that sponsors at a conference are investing money because they want to make money, and they need to be given the opportunity to do so.
This sort of false “exclusivity” is a very attractive thing for both buyers and sellers, and you saw it in a lot of ways at this year’s event (actually, less than last year, given the state of the economy). Sure, some of us got
invitations to a whole bunch of parties and receptions and dinners (mostly held by CVBs), because we were identified as organizations who might become clients. Other companies or groups, like technology companies or even YAP, focused their false exclusivity on people who use Twitter or other social media. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
As to the bouncers — I actually left my access badge in my hotel room, and the bouncers tried to stop me, and I barrelled right by them. So I’m sure you wouldn’t have had any problem.
I think this model is really viable for lots of organizations … multiple spaces offering different experiences all in the same location and in reasonable proximity. It’s really what any successful large club has been doing for years, typically offering different music and seating options on different floors in the same building.
I’m not sure how I got on the list, but I got to go up to the elite party. They had fresh Cuban cigars and a tasting of Scotch, as well as other drinks - just like downstairs. The one thing I wish I could have shared with you, Cynthia, was the frozen mousse! These guys dressed like crazy scientists took spoonfuls of chocolate or vanilla mousse and put them into a freezing container which created a hard shell around the mousse. Then when you cracked the shell, the inner not-frozen mousse oozed out. I loved seeing you so many times in Toronto! I hope to see you well before Los Angeles!
@Jeffrey - Thanks for stopping by. I agree this model is very doable. Will be curious to see who gives it a try.
@Helen - It was great to see you too! Thanks for the inside scoop on the elite party.
Sort of disturbing you don’t know why you were selected - and so many of us wondered why were were not! Not a great PR effort.
The frozen mousse sounds yummy - and quite the experiece to eat!
I too hope our paths cross sometime this year.
Cynthia
@Kevin - Thanks for decoding the elite party for me.
Interestingly, that night I was hanging out with association execs - many from big associations - some that have done meetings in Toronto in the past.
None of them got invited to the special party - nor knew why it was going on.
I actually don’t have a problem if it was a vendor party. It just would have been nice to know what it was. Many didn’t know why they were excluded - which is not good for the association’s reputation.
I know the board has sat at fhe front of stages before. Do not remember ASAE allowing an elite vendor party at a general member event before.
I’m not fond of haves and have-nots at general events as this was done. Leaves too many people wondering why not them. Some people feel rejected by the association.
No problem with the CVB parties. Get why they have them. Often invited because I mix so well.
As for my crashing abilities, I’m honored at your assessment. I’ve tried to tone down my party crashing efforts… you weren’t supposed to tell.