The ATI Framework: How to Create a Successful Event Series
At Digital Rain, we've mastered the art of hosting impactful events that bring together industry leaders, foster meaningful connections, and deliver valuable insights. If you're looking to host your own event series, it takes more than just picking a date and booking a venue—a lot goes into making your event a success.
We’ve broken down our process into a simple step-by-step checklist, so whether you’re planning your first event or refining an established series, you’ll have the tools you need to make your event a hit.
1. Laying the Groundwork
Every great event starts with solid planning. Before the first invitation goes out, it’s i
Checklist:
✅ Create an event budget: Factor in venue, speakers, marketing, and contingency funds.
✅ Set clear goals: Define the purpose of your event—networking, education, or product launches. Ensure every decision supports your objectives.
✅ Develop a 3-6 month strategy: Outline your timelines for key milestones, from early planning to post-event follow-up.
✅ Choose your event team: From logistics to marketing, assign clear roles and responsibilities. This might be where DRM steps in!
Why it works: Setting these foundations early ensures a clear vision and alignment across your entire team, avoiding confusion as the event approaches.
2. Pre-Event Buzz
Generating excitement before the event is essential to ensure you get the right people in the room. This phase is where marketing and engagement come into play.
Checklist:
✅ Create your social media templates: Design branded templates for consistent event promotion across platforms.
✅ Launch a pre-event email campaign: Keep your attendees in the loop with event updates, speaker announcements, and more.
✅ Connect your LinkedIn ad pixel: Use paid social media ads to effectively target industry professionals.
✅ Optimize your B2B profile: Ensure your website and social profiles are ready to convert visitors into attendees.
✅ Test all content forms: Verify that all registration, feedback, and contact forms work seamlessly to avoid last-minute headaches.
Why it works: Building anticipation with strategic marketing ensures your event gets the visibility it needs, bringing in attendees who will benefit most.
3. Day-of Execution
Everything comes together on the day of the event. With months of planning behind you, smooth execution is key to delivering an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Checklist:
✅ Create a streamlined schedule: Outline exact timelines for speakers, panels, and networking sessions. Keep contractors and event staff informed of key milestones.
✅ Ensure tech readiness: Test A/V equipment, live streaming setups, and registration check-in processes well in advance.
✅ Collect testimonials on-site: Have your team capture attendee feedback and testimonials throughout the day for post-event marketing.
✅ Engage attendees: Utilize live polling or interactive elements to keep attendees engaged and active throughout the event.
Why it works: Attention to detail and hands-on management ensure the event runs smoothly and participants have a great experience, reflecting positively on your brand.
4. Post-Event Follow-Up
An event’s success doesn’t end when the last guest leaves. Following up is crucial for maintaining momentum and building long-term relationships with attendees.
Checklist:
✅ Send post-event surveys: Gather feedback to understand what worked well and where improvements can be made.
✅ Share event highlights: Post event photos, videos, and key takeaways on your social channels and email newsletters.
✅ Nurture your leads: Continue the conversation with personalized follow-up emails, offering additional resources or invitations to future events.
Why it works: Proper follow-up keeps your brand at the forefront of your mind, strengthens relationships with attendees, and provides invaluable insights for your next event.
At the Heart of ATI: Why It Works for Us
At ATI, we’ve successfully implemented this framework to host events that attract top-tier attendees and deliver a seamless experience from start to finish. By following these steps, you can replicate our success and create events that are memorable and impactful for your attendees.
If you’re ready to take your event planning to the next level, reach out to our team to learn how we can help you create a standout event that drives results.
Turning Vision into Action
Turning your vision into reality requires thorough planning, smart marketing, and flawless execution. With this framework in hand, you’re well on your way to hosting an event that leaves a lasting impression and positions your company as a leader in the industry.
