When cultures meet – and your event platform needs to support it

How to plan international events in Conference Manager

When planning an event with participants from different countries, you’re not just planning for different languages – you’re also planning for different expectations, habits, and communication styles.
Cultural differences don’t just show up during breaks or networking sessions – they already come into play in the registration flow and confirmation emails.

When participants from different countries come together, it quickly becomes clear that an approach that feels natural to one group can cause confusion or resistance in another.

The good news? The system behind Conference Manager is designed to handle those differences.

Registration: How many choices are too many?

In some cultures, participants appreciate flexibility and a wide range of options. In others, professionalism is associated with a clearly structured program and predefined selections.

In Conference Manager, you can for example:

• Use different participant categories to tailor registration flows for different groups
• Hide certain fields for specific groups – or make fields mandatory where appropriate
• Offer either automatic confirmation or manual approval – depending on what feels most trustworthy to your audience

Language and tone: English is not just English

Even if English is the common language, tone and style still vary greatly across cultures. Some participants expect a direct and informal tone – others prefer a more formal approach with clear structure and titles.

In Conference Manager, you can for example:

• Set up your entire event in English – including the registration form, emails, and program
• Create different email templates for each participant category, so that tone and content match expectations
• Use merge fields to personalize communication – and create familiarity across cultures

Questions and feedback: When silence doesn’t mean disinterest

In some countries, it’s natural to ask questions and make comments along the way. In others, silence signals respect and reflection. As an organizer, it can be hard to interpret reactions if you’re not aware of these differences.

In Conference Manager, you can for example:

•  Collect feedback via questionaries
• Add free text fields in the registration form for wishes or remarks
• Use the CM Events app for continuous engagement – such as anonymous live polls and Q&A’s

Networking: Small talk or structure?

Networking is a key part of many events – but it looks very different depending on culture. Some participants enjoy casual, spontaneous small talk, while others expect structure and clear introductions.

In Conference Manager, you can for example:

• Design name badges that include country, title, or participant category – as conversation starters
• Make conversation guides or networking materials available via the download page, so participants can prepare in advance
• Allow participants to opt in or out of networking activities through the option or program features

Turning differences into strengths

Balancing different cultures isn’t always easy – but that’s exactly where the most meaningful events happen.
When you create clear and inclusive frameworks where everyone can find their place, you’re not just hosting an event – you’re creating an experience that resonates across languages and borders.

And with a flexible tool like Conference Manager behind you, you can turn your cultural awareness into practical choices – in setup, communication, and execution.

Want to explore the topic further?
On our LinkedIn, you can read the article Stronger events across cultures: Here’s how, which dives deeper into cultural differences and what they mean for international events.