ASSOCIATIONS AND CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Associations and conferences are facing threats and disruptions to their core business models and ways in which they deliver value to members. For a customized keynote that is energizing, impactful, and actionable – book Kaihan for your next association event or conference.
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“Kaihan Krippendorff breaks down the complex into relevant, practical, and actionable insights that engage, entertain, and inspire your audience.”
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TOP ASSOCIATIONS AND CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Kaihan Krippendorff is a natural convener of people and business leaders. The founder of an exclusive membership network of strategists, Kaihan lives and breathes in the world of bringing members together to help each other grow, share new ideas, solve complex problems, create ecosystems, and direct the future of their respective industries. His customized keynote speeches not only inspire creativity, but offer a practical approach and tools for each individual participant to take back to their organization and drive individual results.
Associations and conferences are experiencing dramatic change and disruption. Hybrid events, Data-driven decision making, the search for new revenue streams, diversity equity and inclusion are all top of mind. When change happens there is opportunity to re-imagine business models, re-think how you engage members & employees, re-evaluate what impact your organization has on the world, and develop creative solutions to complex problems.
Throughout his career as a consultant, keynote speaker, and founder of the Outthinker Strategy Network (a network of Chief Strategy Officers and Executives from Fortune 500 and private companies with $1B+ revenue), Kaihan Krippendorff has worked with some of the biggest associations and conferences in the world: IMEX, PCMA, Meeting Professionals International, the American Physical Therapy Association, the National Electrical Contractors Association, the Society for Human Resource Management, the American Bar Association, the American Chemical Society, the National Restaurant Association, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the Association of Union Constructors, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the Professional Beauty Association, the Truckload Carriers Association, the Car Wash Association, and the Envelope Manufacturers Association.
Selecting the right keynote speaker for your association event is one of the most important decisions you will make this year. Content, energy, ability to connect to an audience, and actionability are all important factors to consider. Former McKinsey Consultant, NYU Professor, bestselling author, and globally recognized authority on strategy, growth, and transformation, Kaihan Krippendorff will make your event an undeniable success with a customized association keynote that leverages his unique perspective and deep experience in the industry.
The time to act is now. Don’t just be a Thinker. Be an Outthinker.
An active leader in the associations and conferences, Kaihan brings deep industry experience, proprietary research, and exclusive insights to every keynote he delivers.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE CHANGE, YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE BEING IRRELEVANT EVEN LESS.
KAIHAN'S ASSOCIATION AND CONFERENCE INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVE
Context
- COVID-19 had a devastating effect on the conferences and associations industries. As of March 2020, organizations had to quickly pivot to virtual events.
- The lack of physical barriers, including travel, travel time, and travel expenses have created 80 percent growth in new and untapped audiences for virtual events (Source).
- As the world opens up, virtual events will continue, but there will be an increasing shift to hybrid events. Communities will begin to interact through a combination of virtual and face-to-face experiences that improve efficiencies of both models (Source).
- Associations face shifting demographics and an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- The pivot to virtual events and education has changed the value proposition for the members of associations. While live events are coming back, members have now become accustomed to receiving virtual content and education. Members expect a blend of live and virtual programming.
- The advent of virtual association programming has created an opportunity for associations to provide cutting-edge, current content to members and attendees on a regular basis. This is a unique opportunity for associations to become more relevant to existing and future members and audiences.
Trends in the Association and Conference Sector
Hybrid Event Formats
Data-Driven Decision-Making
New Sources of Revenue
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Hybrid Event Formats
- As COVID-19 vaccinations become more widespread, the world will begin to shift from virtual to hybrid events. Virtual formats are here to stay, but they will be supplemented by face-to-face interaction. “Post-COVID virtual events and webinars will be unrecognizable. It will be like comparing traditional TV with streaming, print magazines with tablets, or music CDs with Spotify.” (Source: Marco Giberti, Article)
- Organizations should invest in virtual event technology that allows for engagement across desktop and mobile and permits attendee-to-attendee and attendee-to-speaker interactions (Source).
- Because hybrid events are recorded, the content becomes evergreen. Associations and educational conference providers have an opportunity to grow perennial revenue by selling not only live event registrations and sponsorships, but also the recorded events for future audiences.
Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Across industries, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation. Associations and conference organizations must adopt digital approaches to reach the right target audiences. Target audiences are evolving and include new demographics. Prior to COVID-19, association events often attracted the same members and companies. Post-COVID-19, associations are engaging new members, companies and audiences who are finding associations due to their virtual value proposition. This is growing organizational memberships, sponsorships, and engagement.
- For organizations, a data management strategy is critical to capture information about members and potential future members and partners, and deliver a more personalized and engaging experience. Data can provide understanding of the target audience, what they want from the association, and how they want their content delivered (Source). While many organizations use association website technologies that have integrated membership and event databases, those without these tools should invest in such a platform (MemberClicks, etc.), or a customer relationship management (CRM) database, and both pre- and post-event surveys to collect feedback and data (Source).
- Security and data protection will continue to be a focus for leaders. A proper data management system will include safeguards for protecting customer data according to regulations. Because many associations and organizations are managed virtually, it is crucial that they invest in safe and secure cloud-based software to protect data.
New Sources of Revenue
- The global pandemic has heightened budgets for both companies and consumers. With tighter financial restrictions, potential members may need to make cuts in the number of organizations they can join. Engagement and value will become essential. Organizations have an opportunity to show value in a proactive, technology-driven way to meet their target audiences’ needs—in a current, relevant way.
- Associations must consider revenue opportunities outside of traditional membership dues. While traditional sponsorships such as meal, exhibitor and marketing sway will continue to exist, organizations must leverage and match their mission, vision and values with compatible companies with similar interests. Today’s corporate partnerships will reflect knowledge-sharing vehicles like podcasts, webinars, white papers, consensus statements, and live and virtual education that leverage expertise from the sponsor and organization.
- Digital advertising will become key to increasing revenue. Marketing teams will need to demonstrate ROI with data and results. Smart social media analytics are crucial to show member engagement and value to sponsors.
- Associations should view themselves as part of a broader ecosystem serving the same mission. Association management companies will have more opportunities to work with different types of organizations, including smaller groups and competitive associations (Source). Association management companies will lean more into their own niche (for example, health care), rather than representing an entirely diverse association customer base.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Audience demographics are shifting, and association membership is changing. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that by 2050, the global population over 60 years of age will nearly double to 22 percent. Millennials and Gen Z make up the largest percentage of the current workforce. They are willing to join and stay with organizations that offer career development and easy-to-use, engaging virtual platforms. Associations need to consider strong mentorship programs, engaging content and branding, and unique ways to connect with younger members to show current relevance.
- Gen Z wants to work with ethical, value-based organizations (Source).
The Outthinker 8P framework – opportunities for disruption and innovation for associations and conferences
Outthinkers
- “Holoportation” is expected to grow and allow thought leaders to present themselves at conferences at a fraction of the cost (Source).
- Microsoft Mesh is a collaborative technology that allows users to have shared virtual experiences on a variety of devices, including VR, PC, and HoloLens (Source). Presenters can beam their avatars into a presentation space. Technology captures eye movements, facial expressions, and gestures (Source).
- Attendees are able to see, hear, and interact with the presenter while the presenter feels that they are in the physical space.
- A virtual events platform and video software startup valued at $5.65B (Source).
- Hopin has become one of the fastest-growing software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies by capitalizing on disruption and redefining how virtual events operate. (Source).
- Hopin Founder and CEO, Johnny Boufarhat, considers using Zoom to be the equivalent of having an event in a conference room. Hopin wants to be an immersive, video-first platform for engaging virtual and hybrid events, especially for groups with more than 20 participants. (Source).
- The platform, designed to feel like an in-person experience, provides opportunities for networking and one-on-one conversations. Other offerings include virtual roundtables, keynote stages, backstage areas for speakers, and expo breakout rooms. (Source).
- Determined that their membership model was outdated. Dues were based on duration of membership, not how members interacted with the association.
- The group conducted qualitative and quantitative research to get to know their audience and the expectations that members have for their membership. They also interviewed potential members and found that they resisted joining because they did not have the necessary qualifications. By the time they gained those qualifications, they no longer needed the membership offerings.
- After the study, they shifted to a three-tiered model, which is treated as a progression. In the “Learn” stage, potential members can access a number of resources for free. When they are ready to join, they move to the “Subscribe” phase, which includes additional resources, a digital magazine, and monthly speaker recordings. When a member commits to the “Join” stage, there are three membership levels to choose from, based on how they want to engage with the group (Source).
