Top 3 takeaways from my our annual user conference, Unconventional
- Our customers are the best and make us want to do the most
- People love the real life use cases
- Having a team that gets it is invaluable
- Bonus takeaway: I should get an annual flu shot
Look, as a recovering perfectionist, I could fill this whole blog to read myself to filth. But I really think my therapist is on her last leg with me. So I’m forced to mention the things that went well.
Which, honestly, is classic event planner behavior: obsessing over every tiny detail that didn’t go exactly to plan, replaying micro-moments no one else noticed, and completely glossing over the fact that the thing actually worked. So for once, I’m making myself pause, take a breath, and acknowledge the wins because sometimes, we really do deserve a pat on the back.
Our love letter to the best customers in the biz
My running joke is “how do you plan an event for event planners?”
In our case, we try to mix the reasonable with the unreasonable. Will you get your thought leaders and hear from customers on how they use Swoogo? Definitely! Will you also get to hold an alligator and have a second line lead you into the venue? 1000%
Swoogo CEO, Chris Sykes, & friend
Where we may have gone sideways on wanting to provide the absolute most? Maybe my agenda was a lil’ too packed…I’m a maxxinista and wanted to make the most of everyone’s time…forgetting that down time is productive too. (Therapy: 1 Jihan: 0).
Of course, the product team had my back though. We were able to give attendees their first ever experience with Go Attend, our new mobile app! Verrrry meta.
What I would do differently next year? Less days, more intention on allowing attendees to choose their own journey. More organically cultivated networking opportunities. Keep the activities that allow attendees to really experience the location. But most of all, I’d add more deep dive sessions.
What made me cry? The amount of love, recognition, and grace that our badass customers gave to us. Y’all give your everything for your programs and we’re just trying to match that energy with details and moments that you’ll notice. Thank you for your trust, honesty, and time ♥️
Sharing is caring
BY FAR, the survey results showed that the product deep dives on tips + tricks, along with real life customer stories really rocked everyone’s socks. Getting to see how others use the product is invaluable. It sparks ideas, connection, and allows you to get more use out of the product.
So please, please, bring us your stories of how you’re using Swoogo. We want to not only give you your flowers, but share that knowledge with the community.
IMO, nothing beats an in-person, hands on training session and the people agreed. We had our amazing team of CSMs, Product Marketers, and Pro Services magicians giving out design knowledge, Javascript snippets, and how to’s in some of our next products.
That sparked some ideas for 2026. Stay tuned because class is about to be in session.
One team, one dream
Event profs out there, how many times have you been personally victimized by using Sales as staff? 🙋🏽♀️
Unfortunately I fell sick with the flu on the second day of Unconventional. Normally this would have launched a full on freak out attack, but I just KNEW the team had it covered. And isn’t that the best feeling in the world? When all of the departments are aligned in the success of the program? Had me feeling like we were the 1992 Dream Team. Thank you to the Swoogs who not only crush their day job, but are the best on-site event staff one could ever dream of.
Also… there’s this.
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For those who were able to make it to Unconventional, I hope to see you next year. For those who haven’t had the opportunity, see what you’re missing 👉 Uncon 2025 On Demand.