Eight business leaders discuss their pop-up success stories
As published in
Here are a few game-changing event ideas that can increase brand recognition.
Hosting a pop-up business event can be an effective strategy to increase traffic at your virtual and/or brick-and-mortar location. Not only will it give the brand’s representatives a chance to engage deeper with current and potential customers, but it can also build brand credibility through hands-on product demonstrations and possibly open doors to new markets that were once off the radar.
Whether you’re thinking about planning an intimate sit-down to have real conversations with industry stakeholders, or you’re introducing a product or service feature and need some honest feedback, below, the members of Fast Company Executive Board have got you covered with eight tried and tested events that gave them a satisfying return on their investment. If you need some fresh ideas to attract and retain new clients, then start here.
1. EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
Our Elevate regional workshops are educational events created to share product updates, offer educational enrichment and connect with our PT practice members in their local communities. These events also offer hands-on business coaching and the practical advice they need to grow their businesses, solve operational challenges using our platform and the space to create lasting peer connections. – Heidi Jannenga, WebPT
2. CAREER FAIRS AND PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
Career fairs and portfolio reviews have been key in recruiting emerging design talent for our firm. Seeing the work and how it’s presented offers insight beyond resumes. We look for mindset, storytelling, and alignment with our culture. That first spark often grows into a lasting impact. – Goran Paun, ArtVersion
3. CO-INNOVATION SESSIONS
With AI, the most impactful pop-up events have been quick co-innovation sessions—fast, focused sprints where employees, customers, and partners collaborate across roles to prototype ideas in real time. They succeed because they blend speed, creativity, and human insight—turning conversation into action and sparking real business momentum. – Alex Goryachev
4. NETWORKING LOUNGES AT INDUSTRY CONFERENCES
Industry conferences with branded networking lounges have driven the most growth for us. These pop-up spaces create personal connections in a casual setting, allowing us to showcase expertise, build trust, and turn conversations into long-term clients. – Boris Dzhingarov, ESBO ltd
5. HANDS-ON PRODUCT DEMOS WITH REAL-TIME Q&A
The most successful pop-up events for LambdaTest have been the ones that engage the community in a way that is interactive, such as hands-on workshops and product demos. These events proved successful for LambdaTest because people were experiencing the product with their own hands while asking questions in real time, thus building a personal connection and bonding with the brand. – Asad Khan, LambdaTest Inc.
6. SMALL GROUP EXECUTIVE DINNER INVITATIONS
Forget the photo booths and swag bags. Our most successful events are small group dinners where executives actually share what keeps them up at night. No agenda—just real conversation. People are starved for authentic connection, not another networking happy hour. Brand loyalty comes from being seen, not entertained. – Dr. Camille Preston, AIM Leadership, LLC
7. COMPANY MEET AND GREET THAT HUMANIZES HIRING
Recruiting pop-up events that feature talent showcase opportunities and culture allow potential candidates to experience the company’s culture, meet team members, and see the employee value proposition in action, which leads to better-fit hires and brand advocates. It humanizes the hiring process through real-life stories, not just job descriptions. – Britton Bloch, Navy Federal Credit Union
8. IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES THAT SPARK HUMAN EMOTION AND SENSE
At Facticerie, our most impactful pop-up events are those that feel less like retail and more like ritual. Here’s one example: a surrealist fragrance salon where guests “smelled memories” and uncovered invisible stories through scent. It was successful because it wasn’t about selling—it was about feeling. People remember how you make them feel. That’s what builds growth. – Sudhir Gupta, FACTICERIE
What Alex Can Do For You
Developed and led AI and Innovation strategy for multiple Fortune 100 companies, driving double-digit revenue growth.
Over 20 years of hands-on experience driving transformative business and technology solutions for global brands like Dell, Amgen, IBM, Pfizer, and Cisco.
Recognized by Forbes as “One of the World’s Top Experts on Innovation” and named a “Top AI Keynote Speaker to Watch.”
Frequent contributor to Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Fast Company, sharing actionable insights on AI strategy, the future of work, and innovation.
What sets Alex apart from other top AI speakers and innovation experts?
With AI and innovation elevated to buzzwords, there are plenty of speakers in this space. While many offer insightful keynotes, few can bring the depth of understanding, hands-on experience, and diverse viewpoints that Alex can. Alex doesn’t just talk about AI and innovation. He’s led it at Dell, Pfizer, and Cisco. He’s sat across from C-Suite execs to build global innovation plans. And he’s resonated with audiences at Google, AWS, Disney, Coca Cola, and dozens of other companies with keynotes tailored to their unique AI opportunities. A frequent contributor to Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, and Fast Company, Alex has been identified as a Top AI Voice on LinkedIn. He is also the author of a Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Fearless Innovation. Alex’s style is personable, approachable, and human. It’s never caught up in techspeak, or jargon so he resonates with any audience. Learn more about what sets Alex apart. Get in touch.
How does Alex customize keynotes and workshops?
No two organizations’ AI or innovation opportunities, or challenges, are the same. So canned keynotes or one-size-fits-all workshops just won’t do. Instead, Alex uses AI and data to tailor his engagements with available pre-event surveys. Analyzing responses, Alex customizes his content to address key needs and pain points, ensuring his message is meaningful. Speaking with leadership and other event stakeholders, Alex further customizes the content to ensure resonance and relevance, engaging audiences. Add it all up and you have keynotes and workshops that feel like they’ve been created for you—because they were. Learn more about Alex’s methodology. Get in touch.
What events and audiences are right for Alex?
With so much experience leading large-scale innovation initiatives, Alex is able to reach and resonate with any audience, no matter their knowledge level, industry, culture, or department. Captivating audiences from a live stage, or a virtual event, Alex is a fixture at C-Suite summits, innovation conferences, policy talks, offsites, and employee all hands meetings, plus governmental and academia events. An audience looking for fresh perspectives, real solutions, and custom content will find Alex’s keynotes engaging and actionable with ideas they can start applying right away. Curious about Alex’s recommendations for your event? Get in touch.
What companies and organizations have worked with Alex?
Alex’s roster of past clients, keynote engagements, and employers reads like a Wikipedia entry of the world’s most innovative, respected organizations. Disney, Coca Cola, ISO, AWS, Google, LEGO, CAT, IBM, Cisco, Dell, and dozens of other organizations have benefited from Alex’s keynotes, workshops, and strategic advisory services. As the former Managing Director of Innovation Strategy at Cisco, leader of global Innovation Centers and Smart City programs in 7 countries, and creator of innovation tracks for 3 Olympics, Alex’s real-world experience magnifies his impact upon any organization he partners with. Additionally, Alex has worked hands-on with governments, industry groups,startups and scaleups, plus large academic institutions, like the University of Delaware and The University of California, impacting 300,000+ students and thousands of faculty.
What topics does Alex Goryachev cover in keynotes and workshops?
While every keynote or workshop is customized to an event or audience, Alex is often requested by clients to bring a fresh perspective and real-world expertise on topics, including: AI’s impact on work and education Innovation in the age of AI Building buy-in and reducing hesitancy towards AI Policy and ethics related to AI C-Suite and leadership insights on AI Employee engagement in innovation The impact of AI on society Use cases, solutions, and strategies for AI and innovation Innovation culture and proven frameworks Reskilling and workforce preparedness Education and academia policy Government AI policy and legislation For additional topic ideas and recommendations for your event, get in touch.
Turn your next event into AI and innovation action.
These aren’t just better ways to use ChatGPT, or create short-term buzz. This is what the most influential organizations on earth use to shape the future.
