All Industry Conference in Istanbul

No. of delegates: 400+

Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Event type: Overseas conference and networking

Industry: Construction

Event objectives:

As an event that’s been a core feature on our client’s calendar for over 30 years, this conference has long been viewed as an ideal opportunity to strengthen relationships between suppliers and merchants in the construction sector. The core objectives for this event were to build relationships and foster face-to-face interaction. Our client also wanted this to be the biggest and best conference to date!

Before the event:

Our incredible project and creative teams worked together to create a branded website that offered attendees a user-friendly experience during the registration procedure. Furthermore, they devised an efficient plan for pre-event communications and ensured smooth onsite branding through the design of lanyards, badges, digital signage, printed signage, and AV components. As part of our delegate management process, we effectively captured and organised delegate information, including accessibility and dietary requirements, across multiple platforms. Additionally, we handled both local and broader suppliers to guarantee the prompt provision of top-notch services that enhanced the event.

Event overview:

Day one

The weekend began with free time and leisure activities. Delegates could choose from a steady morning of Golf at Kemer Country Club, relaxation on the exclusive Boat Cruise or immerse themselves in the Treasures of Istanbul tour, featuring the city’s underground tunnels and one of Europe’s most famous markets. In the evening, newcomers to the event had the opportunity to partake in an exclusive drinks reception, where they could interact with sponsors. Later, all attendees joined a traditional Turkish-themed welcome party, featuring local cuisine and cultural entertainment.

Day two

Kicking off the conference, hosted by notorious sports and lifestyle presenter Mark Durden-Smith, delegates enjoyed illuminating welcome talks, captivating sessions from four keynote speakers and interactive workshops. After a morning of industry insights, the afternoon offered networking opportunities, beginning with merchant-supplier ‘speed dating’. Merchants would stay seated whilst suppliers moved around, establishing new relationships or building upon existing ones, maximising the wealth of opportunities for the attendees to build industry connections.

Day three

The final day ended the conference on a high, concluding with insights into the construction sector, and the chance to participate in immersive workshops. Following the sessions, delegates had the choice to spend their afternoon enjoying time at leisure or to grasp a second opportunity to join one of the weekend’s exciting social activities.

Gala dinner

The weekend concluded with a spectacular Gala Dinner hosted at the Çırağan Palace, Istanbul’s most famous location. The reception included an interactive drinks wall and traditional Turkish entertainment from ‘The Whirling Dervishes’. During the dinner service, an atmosphere of grandeur and sophistication was created by roaming violinist, Sveta Letoo and between courses, Istanbul’s most notorious illusionist, James Friedman, visited tables performing spectacular, awe-inspiring tricks. The evening was filled with free-flowing drinks, delicious cuisine, and a charity auction in aid of Turkey- Sierra appeal.

Results:

Our team’s attention to detail and core understanding of this client’s event vision meant that this conference was widely regarded by attendees as the best yet.

From a post-event feedback survey, 83% of attendees boasted this was the best-organised conference they had ever attended, with 80% of guests also suggesting the hotel included the best facilities for the occasion. The event resulted in excellent feedback from both attendees and our client with comments such as:

‘Truly memorable event and definitely our best ever!’ – client feedback.

‘Best conference we have ever attended; the whole event was perfect’ – sponsor.

‘Best event ever, you and the team knocked this out of the park – really good job start to finish’ – delegate.