Safety: The foundation of trust

Safety, trust, and the feeling of belonging lay the groundwork for a thriving community, enabling magic to flourish within the event experience. By intentionally creating safe spaces for connection, risk-taking, and vulnerability without fear of judgment or failure, event organizers unlock the true potential of in-person gatherings, amplifying the event's lasting legacy and contributing to the collective wisdom of the community. The importance of safety is represented by a LEGO® model where the participants feel a sense of community and are working together.

Fear can be a significant barrier to creating and embracing these safe spaces, whether it's the fear of the unknown, fear of collaboration and meeting new people, fear of doing things differently, or fear of failure. Event organisers must actively work to dismantle these fears by fostering an environment of psychological safety, empowering attendees to step out of their comfort zones, and celebrating a growth mindset that embraces learning from failures as opportunities for growth.

Organisers should design events, so they create a feeling of safety and reduce the feeling of fear. This can for example be done by having welcoming ambassadors who introduce and guide newcomers or have assigned staff that proactively monitor the event flow and swiftly address any issues. Trust can also be enhanced through a joint challenge like a hackathon where creativity is not only encouraged but actively rewarded, and creators are entrusted to take their innovative projects forward, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and empowerment.