Professional Planners: Here’s Why Your Event Needs an Early Dose of Relatability
As a professional speaker and seasoned relatability expert, I help professional planners elevate their events—and upskill their attendees—through actionable keynotes and emcee services.
There is one powerful (and often overlooked) ingredient that transforms events from everyday gatherings into extraordinary experiences. Relatability.
Or put another way: Intentionally creating a room full of meaningful connections, shared experiences, and that warm-and-fuzzy familiarity that comes from feeling like you belong in the space.
In the world of professional event planning, it’s easy to let the logistics, timelines, venue, and agenda take over. You have a million and one details to manage—I get it! And while every aspect of your event is undoubtedly important, I want to invite you to consider whether you’re prioritizing event features—at the expense of long-lasting connections.
Because the earlier you prioritize relatability, the more powerful every moment of your event becomes.
Whether you’re planning a corporate conference, a networking gathering, a retreat, or a seminar, the benefits of better connections are far-reaching. For your attendees and for your speakers.
Here’s what I mean….
Relatability makes the technical transformative.
Imagine attending a conference where every speaker delivered technical presentations full of industry jargon and complex concepts. The information was valuable. The resources were helpful. And the takeaways were powerful.
But the attendees felt distant from the speakers and disconnected from one another.
The content of the event was top notch. The flow was spot on. As a professional meeting planner, you knocked it out of the park! But the insights didn’t land as well as they could have because attendees weren’t ready to receive what your incredible speakers had to share.
Your attendees showed up. But they didn’t show up ready to engage.
Here’s another scenario:
Imagine a conference where the first speaker sets a warm, friendly, connected tone. They quickly break the ice in the room and get people moving and relating to one another. They teach your attendees how to connect with confidence and tap into their social superpowers. And by the end of their morning session, every person is listening and laughing, knows the names of the people around them, and half the room already has lunch plans together.
In this scenario, people are comfortable. The space feels friendly and familiar. And everyone is leaned-in, ready to learn. Because a warmed-up audience is more attentive, receptive, and open to new ideas.
Which event would you rather attend? And which would you rave over for weeks following?!
That’s the power of relatability. No matter your industry. No matter your event.
Relatability also encourages deeper learning.
I speak at dozens of events every year and I work with professional planners and event organizers across the country. And the feedback I hear again and again is that a successful event is about more than attendance. It’s about engagement.
In fact, one survey of event professionals showed that nearly half (45%) of event organizers are prioritizing attendee engagement this year, compared to just 38% prioritizing actual attendance, and 35% prioritizing costs.
I think these event organizers are onto something big.
Relatability doesn't just build relationships. It increases curiosity, motivation, and deeper thinking. It also adds emotional significance to the moment. And when learning becomes emotional, it sticks. When your attendees feel a sense of belonging, among one another and within your event, they engage in a powerful way.
I’ve seen it happen at banking events, healthcare conferences, women's expos, and real estate retreats. And I know it can do the same for your event!
The bottom line: Relatability sets the tone—and warms your stage.
So, now you understand that relatability is important, no matter your event type, industry, or event goals. Because every attendee benefits from stronger emotional intelligence, greater confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging in the room.
When should you incorporate this relatability training into your next event?
I believe the earlier your attendees understand how to relate, the sooner they will. That’s why I recommend scheduling your relatability training session as early in your event as possible.
When you book any one of my relatability effect keynotes, we’ll talk about your event flow, key engagement goals, and how my emotional intelligence tips and tactics can get your event off to a connected start. Because sitting in a room full of people you kinda know (and definitely feel intimidated by!) gets a whole lot easier when you realize you’re not alone.