The need for more interactive, engaging experiences in events is a hot discussion right now.

Recently, I had the opportunity to work on a project with Black Hat USA 2023. They understand the evolving landscape and committed to adding more interactive spaces in order to maintain their position as industry frontrunners.

Together, we conceptualized and brought to life four fresh, engaging spaces within the business hall  – each one with its own elements of interaction.

Bricks & Picks

 

Bricks & Picks was a captivating zone that consisted of two very hands-on activities: lego building and lockpicking.

It quickly (before the floor even opened!) became a hub of activity. Attendees could engage in unstructured creative building, which allowed for plenty of opportunities for casual no -pressure networking.  We saw exhibitors, speakers, and attendees all interacting in one space in a casual, non-pressure environment. We even heard rumblings that there could have been a job offer.

But… if you wanted some pressure…

There were regular building contests that were facilitated by Dave Schefick of BrickNerd and BrickinNick , winner of Season 3 of LEGO Masters US.

To top it off, there was the exclusive Black Hat Lego avatar, a one-of-a-kind collectible that became a huge hit.

The lockpicking area was a hub of hands-on learning and interaction, and also proved to be very popular.

To add some excitement to the space, we chose a red carpet. Its bright color stood out against the colorful Legos, making the area look even more inviting. This small touch made the space feel lively and welcoming, catching the eye.

 

Community Lounge

The Community Lounge highlighted information and discussions around women in the cybersecurity space.  We set out to make this space living room-like, and the seating to be varied to accommodate various learning styles and facilitate discussion and participation.

We brought in plants and pops of color for a welcoming feel. This was such a fun space to pull together.

In the end, the Community Lounge became a lively space where attendees were encouraged to be part of a bigger conversation.

 

Autonomous Arcade

The Autonomous Arcade, in partnership with Dark Wolf Solutions, was about all things drones.

The drone hacking workshops were a big draw, as was the ability for attendees were able to touch and explore drones and try their hand at flying them with the help of experts.

The Meetup Lounge

Attendees were given the opportunity to sign up for 1:1 meetings and have a designated spot in the hall to meet.  This allowed easier meetups (for those looking for an option other than the ol’ “meet me at Starbucks at 11, and we’ll try to find a spot” route.

We set up this space in both cocktail rounds and highboys to give it variety and interest.

We also organized casual meet-and-greet sessions with speakers in this same spot. It was a laid-back way for people to chat and get to know each other.

Working on this project for Black Hat was so enjoyable for me.  Collaborating on creative ideas and how to make them come to life is so fulfilling. Let’s do it again next year, Black Hat!

Redefining Meetings and Events: Connection, Conversation, and Experiences