A memorable event highlight video can be your most powerful marketing tool. Whether it’s a corporate conference, music festival, fundraiser, or product launch, a well-crafted highlight video can breathe life into your event long after the last guest leaves. But what transforms an average recap into something unforgettable?

Here’s what makes an event highlight video truly great:

1. It Tells a Story — Fast

A great event highlight video isn’t just a montage of pretty shots. It’s a story—with a beginning, middle, and end.

• Start strong with energy and emotion to hook the viewer immediately.

• Build momentum by showcasing key moments: speakers, performances, reactions.

• End with a clear message or feeling: excitement, inspiration, community, or purpose.

Even in under 2 minutes, story structure matters. The best videos don’t just show what happened—they show why it mattered.

2. It Knows Its Audience

Are you talking to future attendees? Sponsors? Internal teams? Your audience shapes everything from the music choice to the messaging.

• For sponsors, include branding, crowd turnout, and ROI moments.

• For attendees, focus on the energy, networking, and the experiences that make it memorable.

• For the general public, showcase inclusivity, excitement, and why they should care.

Tailoring the video to a clear audience makes it resonate.

3. It Captures Emotion

What did people feel at the event? Inspired? Moved? Energized?

The best highlight videos capture emotion, not just action. Smiles, applause, hugs, quiet moments, laughter—these are the shots that make viewers feel like they were there.

The careful use of b-roll can add the right amount of emotion and make your video memorable.

4. It Has Intentional Editing

Editing can make or break a highlight reel. Great event videos use:

• Pacing: Energetic cuts for upbeat events, slower fades for reflective ones.

• Sound design: Real audio (cheering, applause, music) layered with a soundtrack adds texture.

• Transitions: Keep the transitions simple and intentional to avoid distracting the viewer form the main content.

• Color grading: Consistency is key, make sure to maintain a good colour balance.

Great editing helps your video feel like an experience—not just a recap.

5. It Includes Key Moments (But Doesn’t Try to Show Everything)

Less is more. Don’t try to cram every moment into your highlight video. Instead, choose **the most impactful:

• Signature speeches or moments

• Big crowd reactions

• Surprise elements or performances

• VIP or sponsor mentions (if needed)

Highlight videos aren’t archives—they’re trailers. Make the viewer thirsty for more!

6. It Features Great Music and Sound

The right soundtrack makes everything more powerful. Music should reflect the tone of the event: uplifting, celebratory, emotional, or cinematic.

• Avoid royalty issues by using licensed tracks or working with music libraries.

• Sync edits to the beat—when visuals and music align, the impact multiplies.

The use of good audio and sound can improve the quality of your video.

7. It’s Short Enough to Share

The ideal length of a highlight video is around  two minutes but you can also create smaller 30 second clips for social media. It should be long enough to tell a story, but short enough to share on social media, include in an email, or play at next year’s event kickoff.

A good highlight video leaves viewers saying:

“I wish I was there.”

Or better yet:

“I’m going next year.”

Final Thoughts

A highlight video is more than just event footage—it’s a strategic storytelling tool. When done well, it preserves the magic of your event, builds excitement for future ones, and reinforces your brand’s value.

So next time you’re planning an event, don’t treat the video as an afterthought. Treat it as an investment—because great events deserve great stories. Please call Andy Holt on 780-907-1445 for a free, no obligation meeting or telephone call — let’s multiply your message!