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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.

Events can range from strategic meetings to multi-stakeholder workshops to technical and procedural trainings to all-encompassing sectoral or cross-sectoral conferences!

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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!

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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.

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Agenda co-design

A collaborative process,

including some sensemaking steps, 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

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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

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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 working with Sarah on
EVENT DESIGN & FACILITATION
be valuable to your team?

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 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

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