Every year, Iveta Ondrackova and Innovation week bring together thousands of attendees, offering unique and inspiring opportunities. Explore what goes into creating such an impactful event.
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Event planning is an extremely demanding job, but some event professionals make it look incredibly easy. Just like Iveta Ondrackova, who leads the team responsible for organizing the amazing event Innovation week.
Innovation week is a leading event dedicated to progress and innovation, attracting over 5,000 attendees annually. It features a diverse program, including Conference Panels on trending topics led by local and international experts, an Innovation Fair showcasing the latest technologies, and Inspirational Seminars with insights from accomplished innovators and thinkers. This event offers a platform to exchange knowledge, explore new ideas, and connect with industry leaders.
In past years, Innovation week hosted renowned speakers from OpenAI, MIT, Oxford University, Stability AI, DeepMind, and hundreds of innovative companies, startups, and institutions. We sat down with Iveta Ondrackova to dive into the behind-the-scenes details: how they select speakers, design the agenda, and promote the event.
Discover how the event keeps attendees coming back for more and sets the standard for other innovation events.
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What pain points did you face at your events that made you start using an event mobile app?
We adopted an event mobile app to streamline three key areas: providing a clear program overview, enabling easy seminar slot booking, and facilitating networking through attendee profiles and messaging. It transformed the event experience for both participants and organizers.
Can you share what other tools you use when managing your event? What is your tech stack?
Our tech stack includes the Eventee Mobile App, a CRM for attendee management, email marketing and social media tools for promotions, and analytics platforms for performance tracking. This setup keeps our events organized and data-driven.
Running events is an extremely time-consuming profession. How do you find the time to implement and manage yet another tool such as Eventee during the event?
Implementing Eventee actually streamlined our process in the bigger picture. By integrating it with our API, the program is automatically synced from our event website to the app, saving us significant time. Plus, Eventee’s intuitive design makes it easy to navigate and manage, reducing the workload prior and during the event.
Do you have any tips on how to make the perfect program for your event?
We follow these key principles: tailor content to your audience's needs, provide clear and concise session descriptions to help attendees plan effectively, and offer ample networking opportunities. This approach ensures your event stays relevant and engaging.
How do you find the best speakers?
We seek thought leaders, industry experts, and innovators with fresh perspectives. Our own industry research, networking, partner recommendations, and past event experiences help us identify speakers who can truly engage and inspire our audience.
What is your thought process behind choosing the right speakers for your event?
When choosing speakers for our event, we focus on creating well-rounded, dynamic panel discussions. We aim to include representatives from various sectors, such as a corporate speaker, a startup founder, and someone from the public sector or government. This diversity ensures balanced and engaging discussions. Of course, their expertise on the topic is our top priority, as we want to bring in thought leaders who can offer valuable insights and drive meaningful conversations.
How do you motivate them to speak at your event?
We motivate speakers by highlighting the opportunity to connect with a diverse audience, share their expertise, and increase their visibility and reach. Additionally, we ensure a seamless experience for them, from a well-organized schedule to support throughout the event, making their participation both rewarding and impactful.
Moving to the business aspect. Some event planners aim to cover costs with sponsorships and view ticket sales as profit. Others don't offer ticket discounts or free passes and rely on ticket sales as their primary revenue source for event expenses. What's your approach?
Our approach relies on both partnerships and ticket sales to cover the event costs.
How are you promoting your event to maximize ticket sales and reach your target audience?
We promote our event through a multi-channel strategy to maximize ticket sales and reach our target audience. This includes targeted email campaigns, social media advertising, and tapping into our network of industry leaders. We also use content marketing, such as podcasts and event teasers, to generate interest and build excitement ahead of the event. Additionally, we offer early bird discounts and exclusive offers to drive ticket sales and encourage early registrations.
How do you measure the success of your event? What is your major KPI?
We measure the success of our event primarily by ticket sales and attendance. We also track engagement, such as session participation and networking activity, along with partner satisfaction and ROI. Post-event surveys help us assess attendee and speaker satisfaction, which is also a key indicator of success.
Where (how) do you find the perfect venues for your events?
Over the years, we've explored many venues, but our current venue, the CSOB Campus, has proven to be the best fit. Next year will be our third year hosting the event there, and we’re excited to hold our first two-day conference at their premises.
What do you think are the key factors to consider when selecting an ideal venue?
When selecting an ideal venue, key factors we consider include location (easy access), capacity and flexibility (suitable for seminars, stages, zones, and lounges), ambiance (ensuring all attendees feel welcome), cost, and the level of support and services offered by the venue.
Events rarely go exactly as planned. How do you create the perfect run of show (= a minute-by-minute script)?
The key is to balance precision with adaptability, so we can adjust on the fly while keeping everything running smoothly.
Which part of the run of show do you think is the most important?
The most important part of the run of show is timing and transitions. Ensuring that each session starts and ends on schedule, with smooth transitions between segments, keeps the event flowing and maintains attendee engagement.
How do you prepare to make sure it goes smoothly?
To ensure everything runs smoothly, we start with clear briefings for all team members, outlining their roles and responsibilities. During the event, we maintain real-time communication through walkie-talkies or messaging systems to quickly address any issues. Additionally, we coordinate logistics, equipment, and materials well in advance to ensure everything is in place before the event begins.
Is there anything you wish you had known when organizing your first event?
I wish I had known how much adrenaline and excitement would keep me going in the days leading up to the event! While the preparation can be intense, the energy and satisfaction of bringing everything together make it all worthwhile.
Every year, Iveta Ondrackova and Innovation week bring together thousands of attendees, offering unique and inspiring opportunities. Explore what goes into creating such an impactful event.
Event planning is an extremely demanding job, but some event professionals make it look incredibly easy. Just like Iveta Ondrackova, who leads the team responsible for organizing the amazing event Innovation week.
Innovation week is a leading event dedicated to progress and innovation, attracting over 5,000 attendees annually. It features a diverse program, including Conference Panels on trending topics led by local and international experts, an Innovation Fair showcasing the latest technologies, and Inspirational Seminars with insights from accomplished innovators and thinkers. This event offers a platform to exchange knowledge, explore new ideas, and connect with industry leaders.
In past years, Innovation week hosted renowned speakers from OpenAI, MIT, Oxford University, Stability AI, DeepMind, and hundreds of innovative companies, startups, and institutions. We sat down with Iveta Ondrackova to dive into the behind-the-scenes details: how they select speakers, design the agenda, and promote the event.
Discover how the event keeps attendees coming back for more and sets the standard for other innovation events.
What pain points did you face at your events that made you start using an event mobile app?
We adopted an event mobile app to streamline three key areas: providing a clear program overview, enabling easy seminar slot booking, and facilitating networking through attendee profiles and messaging. It transformed the event experience for both participants and organizers.
Can you share what other tools you use when managing your event? What is your tech stack?
Our tech stack includes the Eventee Mobile App, a CRM for attendee management, email marketing and social media tools for promotions, and analytics platforms for performance tracking. This setup keeps our events organized and data-driven.
Running events is an extremely time-consuming profession. How do you find the time to implement and manage yet another tool such as Eventee during the event?
Implementing Eventee actually streamlined our process in the bigger picture. By integrating it with our API, the program is automatically synced from our event website to the app, saving us significant time. Plus, Eventee’s intuitive design makes it easy to navigate and manage, reducing the workload prior and during the event.
Do you have any tips on how to make the perfect program for your event?
We follow these key principles: tailor content to your audience's needs, provide clear and concise session descriptions to help attendees plan effectively, and offer ample networking opportunities. This approach ensures your event stays relevant and engaging.
How do you find the best speakers?
We seek thought leaders, industry experts, and innovators with fresh perspectives. Our own industry research, networking, partner recommendations, and past event experiences help us identify speakers who can truly engage and inspire our audience.
What is your thought process behind choosing the right speakers for your event?
When choosing speakers for our event, we focus on creating well-rounded, dynamic panel discussions. We aim to include representatives from various sectors, such as a corporate speaker, a startup founder, and someone from the public sector or government. This diversity ensures balanced and engaging discussions. Of course, their expertise on the topic is our top priority, as we want to bring in thought leaders who can offer valuable insights and drive meaningful conversations.
How do you motivate them to speak at your event?
We motivate speakers by highlighting the opportunity to connect with a diverse audience, share their expertise, and increase their visibility and reach. Additionally, we ensure a seamless experience for them, from a well-organized schedule to support throughout the event, making their participation both rewarding and impactful.
Moving to the business aspect. Some event planners aim to cover costs with sponsorships and view ticket sales as profit. Others don't offer ticket discounts or free passes and rely on ticket sales as their primary revenue source for event expenses. What's your approach?
Our approach relies on both partnerships and ticket sales to cover the event costs.
How are you promoting your event to maximize ticket sales and reach your target audience?
We promote our event through a multi-channel strategy to maximize ticket sales and reach our target audience. This includes targeted email campaigns, social media advertising, and tapping into our network of industry leaders. We also use content marketing, such as podcasts and event teasers, to generate interest and build excitement ahead of the event. Additionally, we offer early bird discounts and exclusive offers to drive ticket sales and encourage early registrations.
How do you measure the success of your event? What is your major KPI?
We measure the success of our event primarily by ticket sales and attendance. We also track engagement, such as session participation and networking activity, along with partner satisfaction and ROI. Post-event surveys help us assess attendee and speaker satisfaction, which is also a key indicator of success.
Where (how) do you find the perfect venues for your events?
Over the years, we've explored many venues, but our current venue, the CSOB Campus, has proven to be the best fit. Next year will be our third year hosting the event there, and we’re excited to hold our first two-day conference at their premises.
What do you think are the key factors to consider when selecting an ideal venue?
When selecting an ideal venue, key factors we consider include location (easy access), capacity and flexibility (suitable for seminars, stages, zones, and lounges), ambiance (ensuring all attendees feel welcome), cost, and the level of support and services offered by the venue.
Events rarely go exactly as planned. How do you create the perfect run of show (= a minute-by-minute script)?
The key is to balance precision with adaptability, so we can adjust on the fly while keeping everything running smoothly.
Which part of the run of show do you think is the most important?
The most important part of the run of show is timing and transitions. Ensuring that each session starts and ends on schedule, with smooth transitions between segments, keeps the event flowing and maintains attendee engagement.
How do you prepare to make sure it goes smoothly?
To ensure everything runs smoothly, we start with clear briefings for all team members, outlining their roles and responsibilities. During the event, we maintain real-time communication through walkie-talkies or messaging systems to quickly address any issues. Additionally, we coordinate logistics, equipment, and materials well in advance to ensure everything is in place before the event begins.
Is there anything you wish you had known when organizing your first event?
I wish I had known how much adrenaline and excitement would keep me going in the days leading up to the event! While the preparation can be intense, the energy and satisfaction of bringing everything together make it all worthwhile.
Every year, Iveta Ondrackova and Innovation week bring together thousands of attendees, offering unique and inspiring opportunities. Explore what goes into creating such an impactful event.
Event planning is an extremely demanding job, but some event professionals make it look incredibly easy. Just like Iveta Ondrackova, who leads the team responsible for organizing the amazing event Innovation week.
Innovation week is a leading event dedicated to progress and innovation, attracting over 5,000 attendees annually. It features a diverse program, including Conference Panels on trending topics led by local and international experts, an Innovation Fair showcasing the latest technologies, and Inspirational Seminars with insights from accomplished innovators and thinkers. This event offers a platform to exchange knowledge, explore new ideas, and connect with industry leaders.
In past years, Innovation week hosted renowned speakers from OpenAI, MIT, Oxford University, Stability AI, DeepMind, and hundreds of innovative companies, startups, and institutions. We sat down with Iveta Ondrackova to dive into the behind-the-scenes details: how they select speakers, design the agenda, and promote the event.
Discover how the event keeps attendees coming back for more and sets the standard for other innovation events.
What pain points did you face at your events that made you start using an event mobile app?
We adopted an event mobile app to streamline three key areas: providing a clear program overview, enabling easy seminar slot booking, and facilitating networking through attendee profiles and messaging. It transformed the event experience for both participants and organizers.
Can you share what other tools you use when managing your event? What is your tech stack?
Our tech stack includes the Eventee Mobile App, a CRM for attendee management, email marketing and social media tools for promotions, and analytics platforms for performance tracking. This setup keeps our events organized and data-driven.
Running events is an extremely time-consuming profession. How do you find the time to implement and manage yet another tool such as Eventee during the event?
Implementing Eventee actually streamlined our process in the bigger picture. By integrating it with our API, the program is automatically synced from our event website to the app, saving us significant time. Plus, Eventee’s intuitive design makes it easy to navigate and manage, reducing the workload prior and during the event.
Do you have any tips on how to make the perfect program for your event?
We follow these key principles: tailor content to your audience's needs, provide clear and concise session descriptions to help attendees plan effectively, and offer ample networking opportunities. This approach ensures your event stays relevant and engaging.
How do you find the best speakers?
We seek thought leaders, industry experts, and innovators with fresh perspectives. Our own industry research, networking, partner recommendations, and past event experiences help us identify speakers who can truly engage and inspire our audience.
What is your thought process behind choosing the right speakers for your event?
When choosing speakers for our event, we focus on creating well-rounded, dynamic panel discussions. We aim to include representatives from various sectors, such as a corporate speaker, a startup founder, and someone from the public sector or government. This diversity ensures balanced and engaging discussions. Of course, their expertise on the topic is our top priority, as we want to bring in thought leaders who can offer valuable insights and drive meaningful conversations.
How do you motivate them to speak at your event?
We motivate speakers by highlighting the opportunity to connect with a diverse audience, share their expertise, and increase their visibility and reach. Additionally, we ensure a seamless experience for them, from a well-organized schedule to support throughout the event, making their participation both rewarding and impactful.
Moving to the business aspect. Some event planners aim to cover costs with sponsorships and view ticket sales as profit. Others don't offer ticket discounts or free passes and rely on ticket sales as their primary revenue source for event expenses. What's your approach?
Our approach relies on both partnerships and ticket sales to cover the event costs.
How are you promoting your event to maximize ticket sales and reach your target audience?
We promote our event through a multi-channel strategy to maximize ticket sales and reach our target audience. This includes targeted email campaigns, social media advertising, and tapping into our network of industry leaders. We also use content marketing, such as podcasts and event teasers, to generate interest and build excitement ahead of the event. Additionally, we offer early bird discounts and exclusive offers to drive ticket sales and encourage early registrations.
How do you measure the success of your event? What is your major KPI?
We measure the success of our event primarily by ticket sales and attendance. We also track engagement, such as session participation and networking activity, along with partner satisfaction and ROI. Post-event surveys help us assess attendee and speaker satisfaction, which is also a key indicator of success.
Where (how) do you find the perfect venues for your events?
Over the years, we've explored many venues, but our current venue, the CSOB Campus, has proven to be the best fit. Next year will be our third year hosting the event there, and we’re excited to hold our first two-day conference at their premises.
What do you think are the key factors to consider when selecting an ideal venue?
When selecting an ideal venue, key factors we consider include location (easy access), capacity and flexibility (suitable for seminars, stages, zones, and lounges), ambiance (ensuring all attendees feel welcome), cost, and the level of support and services offered by the venue.
Events rarely go exactly as planned. How do you create the perfect run of show (= a minute-by-minute script)?
The key is to balance precision with adaptability, so we can adjust on the fly while keeping everything running smoothly.
Which part of the run of show do you think is the most important?
The most important part of the run of show is timing and transitions. Ensuring that each session starts and ends on schedule, with smooth transitions between segments, keeps the event flowing and maintains attendee engagement.
How do you prepare to make sure it goes smoothly?
To ensure everything runs smoothly, we start with clear briefings for all team members, outlining their roles and responsibilities. During the event, we maintain real-time communication through walkie-talkies or messaging systems to quickly address any issues. Additionally, we coordinate logistics, equipment, and materials well in advance to ensure everything is in place before the event begins.
Is there anything you wish you had known when organizing your first event?
I wish I had known how much adrenaline and excitement would keep me going in the days leading up to the event! While the preparation can be intense, the energy and satisfaction of bringing everything together make it all worthwhile.
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