Event design isn’t just the way something looks. It’s the way those visual elements work together to convey a brand story that people want to learn more about.

An event isn’t just the hall or center that hosts it. Nor are events limited to the displays, booths, and workshops that compose them. Events are those things and so much more, all working in conjunction to convey something much more significant — a brand story.

Events help this narrative jump off the page or screen to resonate with attendees and build the sort of emotional connections that translate into conversions and loyalty. This story is at a company’s foundation, the proverbial “why” that every organization should have if it hopes to click with its target audience.

Innovation has long been key for brands that want to keep their messages fresh. Precisely how that innovation looks, however, depends on a brand's unique goals.

Verizon wanted to draw consumers into its event space, which is why it partnered with Snapchat last year for an augmented reality treasure hunt. Whiskey distributor Glenfiddich aimed to wow its audience, which is why it developed a personalized, digital app-enhanced tasting. And to help its messaging cut through the clutter and competition, lifestyle brand Refinery29 designed its 29Rooms event as a way for brands to do just that.

Social media is at the center of our lives today. As such, brands use it to find more meaningful ways to stand out and connect with modern consumers. In the event space, that means finding ways to encourage the kind of organic social presence that resonates with a customer long after an event concludes.

Marketers know this, which is why brands host events at all. An Aventri/Little Bird Media joint study estimates that 96% of events use social media to spark their brand awareness. And yet, a Splash/Harvard Business Review joint report shows only 52% of events actually have repeated social media engagement throughout the day.

Dipping a toe in the experiential waters can be exciting. Few initiatives come close to matching the immersive feel of an experiential marketing campaign, but there's one component that can negate that enthusiasm and personal feel: logistics.

Just look at how logistics affect an event's momentum. At times, design prep gets well behind schedule and causes delays in both delivery and installation. Other times, approvals waylay the process, and you're left with a short turnaround. Suddenly, your team finds itself in firefighter mode where every task becomes urgent and it is key that your actions are methodical and swift at the same time.

The relationship between brands and their audiences is quickly evolving, thanks in no small part to the power of experiential marketing.

Experiential marketing enables audiences to taste, touch, or smell brands up close. No other marketing strategy is able to form that direct level of personal connection with its audience.