What is Event Design & Facilitation?
An exercise in clarifying the specific objectives of an event (meeting, workshop, training, conference, retreat, etc.), and then designing, preparing for, and facilitating toward those objectives.
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Events can range from strategic meetings to multi-stakeholder workshops to technical and procedural trainings to all-encompassing sectoral or cross-sectoral conferences!
From fuzzy objectives to clear objectives to content, format, timing, and finally smoothe facilitation, all aimed toward these objectives, while ensuring overall learning and enjoyment!
What do Event Design and Facilitation services look like?
Event design consultation
A 2- to 3-hour engagement where we discuss your event, clarify objectives together, brainstorm on session formats, and share potential challenges, overarching guidance, and little-known tips and tricks
​
The consultation might target specific complications or new elements, such as a multilingual group, a virtual event, or multi-stakeholder decision-making process.
Agenda co-design
A collaborative process,
including some sensemaking steps [LINK], where we
clearly define objectives that consider informational, application-based, and relational gains, and then
design backward to content
and session structures
that target these objectives, often ending in a highly detailed "run-of-show" to guide the event rollout
Event facilitation
Leading a smooth
event experience for all,
ensuring that we lead learners and any other collaborators
(presenters, moderators, AV support staff) through the event, including ensuring smooth and thought-provoking transitions, managing time and expectations, adapting sessions on the go as needed, and noting areas for improvements and pivots in the coming hours and days of the event
Event co-facilitation and facilitation coaching
A collaborative facilitation of the training (as described above),
with an internally designated co-facilitator, along with intentional support for building the co-facilitator's facilitation skills through practice sessions, intentional goal-setting and debriefings, and other coaching formats
Why?
When might
EVENT DESIGN & FACILITATION
be helpful for your organization?
Alignment
Your event is being co-hosted by multiple stakeholders, who are having a challenging time aligning their various objectives and approaches
Engagement + Enjoyment
Your event risks defaulting to a death-by-PowerPoint design, and you want something more engaging, innovative, and enjoyable
Dedicated Designer
You recognize the time required to design a solid event, but you don't have the time/focus to prepare these details
Host as Participator
You want to participate fully in the event, instead of being preoccupied with facilitating it
Neutrality + Mastery
You want the neutrality and techniques of an external facilitator, to guide participants in going beyond surface-level or routine discussions and outputs
Live Evolutions
You know that the needs of the group and/or the opportunities may evolve during the event, and you want someone who can adapt as they evolve, while still targeting the objectives
What do Event Design & Facilitation services look like?
Event design consultation
A 2- to 3-hour engagement where we discuss your event, clarify objectives together, brainstorm on session formats, and share potential challenges, overarching guidance, and little-known tips and tricks
​
The consultation might target specific complications or new elements, such as a multilingual group, a virtual event, or multi-stakeholder decision-making process.
Event facilitation
Leading a smooth
event experience for all,
ensuring that we lead learners and any other collaborators
(presenters, moderators, AV support staff) through the event, including ensuring smooth and thought-provoking transitions, managing time and expectations, adapting sessions on the go as needed, and noting areas for improvements and pivots in the coming hours and days of the event
Agenda co-design
A collaborative process,
including some sensemaking steps [LINK], where we
clearly define objectives that consider informational, application-based, and relational gains, and then
design backward to content
and session structures
that target these objectives, often ending in a highly detailed "run-of-show" to guide the event rollout
Event co-facilitation and facilitation coaching
A collaborative facilitation of the training (as described above),
with an internally designated co-facilitator, along with intentional support for building the co-facilitator's facilitation skills through practice sessions, intentional goal-setting and debriefings, and other coaching formats