Experience Design: How to Create Events People Never Forget
“The ‘occasionally remarkable’ moments shouldn’t be left to chance! They should be planned for, invested in.”
— Chip Heath, Stanford Graduate School of Business
At Entire Productions, experience design isn’t a buzzword—it’s the heartbeat of what we do, our mission. It’s how we turn ordinary moments into extraordinary memories, and how we make sure your event doesn’t just happen... it resonates.
What Is Experience Design?
Experience design is the intentional mapping of every touchpoint on an attendee’s journey—from the very first “hello” (maybe a teaser video or invite) to the final follow-up message after the event ends. Every moment is an opportunity to surprise, delight, and connect.
To create truly unforgettable experiences, we don’t just sprinkle in fun elements at random. We follow a framework grounded in psychology—specifically, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs...then add on a layer of intentional experience design.
Step One: Get the Basics Right
Before your guests can engage, connect, or be inspired, they need to feel physically and emotionally safe. That means:
Comfortable, accessible seating
A clean, climate-controlled environment
Clear signage and safety protocols
Let’s talk real-world: At a high-profile tech conference, a last-minute venue change left attendees sweltering in a space with poor airflow and not enough chairs. Despite incredible content and speakers, what did attendees remember? Standing for hours and sweating through keynotes. The lesson? If basic needs aren’t met, everything else fades into the background.
Conversely, our founder, Natasha Miller found herself volunteering as a judge for an entrepreneurial Shark Tank-inspired program in a hotel ballroom and was shivering for 6 straight hours- not a good experience.
Step Two: Create a Sense of Belonging
Once the essentials are in place, it's time to foster human connection. This is where social interaction and inclusivity shine.
A global pharma company nailed this at their annual summit:
Personalized welcome kits
Custom kits with items tailored to each attendee’s interest or background make guests feel immediately valued.
Inclusive seating
Thoughtful layouts encourage cross-department mingling and eliminate hierarchy, promoting a more connected environment.
Culturally diverse entertainment
Entertainment that reflects a range of cultures helps everyone feel represented while keeping things fresh and engaging.
Lounges that encourage mingling
Casual lounge areas create space for organic conversation and deeper connection outside the main event flow.
Recognition ceremonies that celebrate others achievements
Authentic, meaningful recognition moments highlight a wide range of accomplishments—not just the big wins.
These small touches made attendees feel seen and appreciated—fueling long-term engagement and loyalty.
Step Three: Elevate the Experience
Now for the fun part: emotional, intellectual, and sensory engagement. This is where creativity and innovation make an event truly unforgettable.
At a recent SXSW conference, Porsche didn’t just show up—they transformed a venue into a sensory playground. Guests walked through a surreal “car wash” filled with monochromatic blue art installations, found secret doors hiding collectible Porsche air fresheners, and wrote postcards to friends that were mailed after the event. It was immersive. Unexpectedly. Delightfully weird. And it worked.
From surprise giveaways to hidden easter eggs, these touches tap into emotion, curiosity, and connection—key ingredients in experience design.
Think Bigger: Immersive Storytelling in Action
Let’s take a peek at some real-world wins from our team and partners:
The Mini-City Takeover
Alexandra Carvalho brought a full-scale “neighborhood” to life inside an event space, repping every part of the community—schools, hospitals, housing centers, and more. Attendees strolled through a farmer’s market, cuddled puppies, watched a play, and picked up fresh produce to take home. It was immersive, informative, and heartwarming.
New Orleans from Afar
Faced with pivoting a major event to virtual, Alyssa McArdle leaned into the spirit of New Orleans. A virtual Cajun cooking class and a marching band kicked off the energy. The event smashed attendance goals and doubled revenue projections—all thanks to clarity of purpose and cultural authenticity.
Royal Treatment in Ireland
Kappi Bowen designed a President’s Club trip that blended luxury with local flair. From private train rides and castle stays to personalized velvet costumes and handwritten notes, every detail reinforced the story. The result? An unforgettable journey that attendees still talk about.
Intentional Moments = Lasting Impact
Experience design isn’t just about the “wow” factor. It’s about using intentional planning to guide people through meaningful interactions—from laughs and learning to connection and transformation.
That’s why, at Entire Productions, we create Experience Design Maps—layered timelines that run alongside logistics. These maps help us choreograph everything from pre-event teasers and on-site spectacle to post-event follow-up and future engagement.
One example:
At a 2,000-person tech event in the Bay Area, we mapped:
Pre-event hype videos and personal invites
On-site choreographed welcome performances
Wellness zones, product demo lounges, and surprise entertainers
Post-event highlight reels and curated thank-you notes
Why It Matters More Than Ever
Back in the ’90s, Pine and Gilmore coined the term “The Experience Economy.” Their point? When goods and services are no longer enough, experiences become the ultimate differentiator.
Today, especially in corporate events, this couldn’t be more true. Your attendees aren’t just looking for content—they’re looking for connection, emotion, and memory. Experience design isn’t fluff. It’s strategy.
So next time you’re planning a conference, offsite, or brand activation, ask yourself:
Are we addressing our guests’ foundational needs first?
Have we built in moments of connection and recognition?
What sensory and emotional beats will they remember?
When you invest in experience design, you’re not just running an event. You’re creating a story people want to be part of—and tell again and again.
Ready to make your next event effortless (and amazing)? Let’s chat! Entire Productions can make your events unforgettable!
This blog was inspired by a chapter from our CEO and Founder Natasha Miller’s new book! Want to dive deeper? Click here to learn more!
