An event is an occurrence that has been recognized by software, usually originating asynchronously from the external environment (mouse clicks, window-resizing, keyboard presses, messages from other programs, etc). An event may also contain extra data for processing (such as information on what the source was responding to) or simply be used to communicate with a listener. Event handling is often used in user interfaces to delegate processing responsibilities rather than relying on interrupt-based processing, but is also common in database systems and modern distributed programming environments where events are produced on one machine and consumed by multiple applications.
An example of an event is the airborne spreading of toxic chemicals during a manufacturing plant disaster in the novel White Noise by Don DeLillo. This event is the catalyst that leads to the protagonist’s eventual demise, but is still only one small part of a larger story that describes his life and experiences. Similarly, an event in a website’s architecture is just one component of the user experience; it does not tell the entire story of how the site works.
A successful post-event write-up can drive traffic to a website, inspire future attendees of your own events, and get your name out as an authority in the industry. But writing a great post-event article can be intimidating if you don’t know where to start.
The best event write-ups are less like traditional beat-by-beat events summaries, and more like an author telling a story. The best way to approach this is to think about what the ultimate goal of your event was, and how it succeeded or failed in that regard. For an event promoting a concert, focus on the names of the main acts, but don’t forget to cover any openers that stood out as particularly impressive.
If you’re promoting an education-based event, look for ways that your event succeeded beyond the classroom, and showcase how your speakers and participants walked away with new skills they can apply at work or in their lives. This type of post-event summary is a great way to generate interest in your event as a platform for professional development and personal growth, and will also help you attract prospective sponsors for future events.
Adding photos to an event recap is always a good idea. Make sure you choose some standouts, and use captions to give each image a unique voice. You could even consider incorporating quotes from those in the images, or a link to their presentation or guest blog post. This helps readers connect with the photo and gives them more incentive to check out your event in person next time.