Do you see what I see?

So, it has been a while, what’s new? Well…that depends how you look at it.

In the Netherlands we will have a new king soon, and I just learned that there is a new pope. On a more local scale, at work we changed the brand of tea in our offices and started flexible work areas, and in my neighborhood, the Chinese restaurant changed owners. Better spring rolls, but I won’t be ordering the noodles & vegetables again.

Things change on a daily basis. Some good, some bad. Also in events

Change, innovation and reinvention: they are key ingredients when it comes to keeping visitors, delegates and exhibitors engaged with the events we design and the conversations we start.

The blueprints of classic conferences and tradeshows are gradually changing into live maps with touchpoints, telling us which buttons to push and where to begin the change in content, format, design, venue…. a starting point, that’s all. Innovation never stops.

But let’s face it… sometimes, it is just too hard to find the creativity to deal with it.

I guess the trick is to keep it simple yet inspiring. Stay close to home, one thing at a time. But how?

I was thinking about this when I received a tweet from a friend, who is an artist. One of the many things she does, is photographing ordinary objects and turning them into a new reality, choosing the right angles and title. I always feel inspired when I see her work.

She turns torn paper into a hawk, a trash bag into a blackbird, metal fittings into an owl. Ready-mades, ready to change.

She shows that staying close to home can bring about a big change. One thing at a time.  It just depends how you look at it.

So back to events:  what do we really see? An old catering concept might be a new networking tool. A hallway can serve as a walking breakout. A brick wall could be a…  well, anything. Innovation is everywhere, it  just depends how you look at it. Have a special eye. Do you see what I see?

Thanks @mapestaartje (http://www.maartjejaquet.nl/) for letting me use the images: always an inspiration.