What makes a program successful? Clearly, it depends on the nature (and objective) of the program - but many of us have been faced with the difficult challenge of quantifying engagement as a key step towards measuring our Return on Investment (ROI). When everyone has an opinion, and programming budgets can be scarce, we need to figure out how to consistently and objectively evaluate events - without stripping away the subjective magic that might just be the most critical driver of success.

Learning Outcome(s): During this session, attendees will learn:

1. How to evaluate any program in three distinct phases.
2. How "engagement arcs" can help paint a detailed picture of how an event performed.
3. How to measure event engagement as a three-dimensional physical object.
4. How to directly compare the engagement of two (or more) different events.
5. How values-based pricing can create simple rules to protect the viability of a program.

We are too busy. We're always stressed. We tell ourselves that if we just get through insert imaginary milestone here, we'll be calm and happy. But inevitably more things pop up, and we find ourselves in an endless loop of stress, without ever reaching that elusive, happy balance.

In this session, we'll learn how to be pragmatic, focused, and HAPPY, all while being insanely productive.

Session Objectives:

1. Learn how to calendar more effectively
2. Learn how to better manage your inbox
3. Learn about "flow state," and how to achieve it.
4. Learn how to intentionally prioritize happiness.

Concerts can be very hit-or-miss, and most college programmers are all too familiar with the struggle of trying to find an artist that's in-budget, available, and popular among a wide range of students. This session will help producers depend less on the artist as the primary source of value for concert programs, and empower them to focus more on a sustainable, student-oriented tradition that can compete in today's connected culture. Attendees will be challenged to consider their own experience as music consumers, identify trends and shifts, and then re-think the fundamental structure of a concert. This will be achieved through objective data, case studies, audience participation, and interactive discussion. Attendees will leave this session feeling ready to face the inevitable challenge of delivering relevant programming, in a world where everyone has access to all of their favorite artists for free.

After this session, participants will be able to:

1. Articulate the two things music consumers demand now more than ever.
2. Describe the forces that are driving these changes, and where they come from.
3. Pinpoint areas where engagement may fall short of expectations
4. Identify four key metrics for measuring the success of any event
5. Design events deliberately, for stronger, sustained student engagement, better ROI, and a result that the board is proud of.

Previous presentation topics have included:

• But Why? Re-Evaluating Campus Traditions
• Never Grow Up! // Life as a Special Events Professional
• Finding Your Niche in Live Events

Bobby has also delivered custom keynote speeches. He has also appeared on various panels as a subject-matter expert.

Bobby Dutton is an entrepreneur, a performer, and a philanthropist. He's also a licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor -- for fun.

Thriving at the intersection of engineering and art, Dutton created GrooveBoston in 2004, built on the statement "Music is No Longer a Spectator Sport." His team (now called GBM6) is about making people happy, through legendary events.

Bobby's pioneering work on event design has won him awards internationally, and he was voted one of the "Top 25 Young Event Pros to Watch" by Special Events Magazine.

A creative leader and relentless optimist, Dutton has also served on the SEARCH Foundation Board of Directors, and on the Board of Governors for the International Live Events Association.

For more info and awards, please visit Bobby's LinkedIn Profile.