Events take months to plan and are over in a day or two. The recap is what lets them keep working: for attendees who want to remember, for people who missed it, for sponsors who need results and for next year's marketing. Planned well, one event can feed weeks of content. Here is how to build a recap plan.
Plan the recap before the event
Recap content depends on what is filmed. Decide in advance:
- which formats you need — same-day clips, a highlight film, full sessions, photos;
- who will approve content and how quickly;
- which speakers, sponsors and moments must be covered;
- where each piece will be published and when.
The coverage plan follows from this list. See the event videography planning guide.
During the event: same-day content
- Photo selections for social media and press within hours.
- Short clips — the opening, a key quote, the crowd — published while the event is still trending.
- Stories and live updates from the floor.
This needs an editor and photographer working on site or close by, with pre-approved templates and music.
Right after: the highlight film
A one- to three-minute film capturing the atmosphere, key moments and voices, usually delivered within days. It becomes the main asset for the website, social media, sponsors and next year's promotion. Read about event highlight film vs full recording.
The following weeks: a content series
- Session recordings for attendees and on-demand libraries.
- Speaker clips: one strong idea per short video.
- Quote cards and photo carousels for LinkedIn and Instagram.
- Behind-the-scenes: the build, the team, the preparation. Related: behind-the-scenes content.
- Interviews with organisers, partners and attendees.
- A blog post or article summarising key takeaways, illustrated with photos and clips.
Spread these over several weeks, so the event stays visible long after it ends. More on this: repurposing long videos into clips.
Sponsor and partner reports
Sponsors need proof: their branding on screen and stage, their activations, their executives speaking, visitor numbers. Plan shots for each sponsor and deliver a short report or video per partner. Satisfied sponsors are more likely to return.
Internal value
Recaps also serve the organisation itself: a thank-you film for the team, material for annual reports, training for the next event team and an archive of who spoke and what was said.
Next year's promotion
The best recap content becomes next year's teaser: real crowds and atmosphere are more convincing than any graphics. Archive the footage carefully and note the best shots. See event teaser videos and archiving your footage.
Formats and languages
- Horizontal versions for websites and YouTube.
- Vertical clips for Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
- Subtitles in English and Arabic where needed. Read about bilingual Arabic-English video.
Consent and approvals
Check speaker permissions before publishing full sessions, and make sure featured attendees have agreed to appear. Some sessions may be for attendees only. Related: preparing speakers to be filmed.
Measuring the recap
Track how recap content performs: views and watch time of the highlight film, session views, engagement on clips and photos, sponsor feedback and, later, registrations for the next edition. These numbers help justify the coverage budget and show which formats deserve more attention next time.
Common mistakes
- Planning only the highlight film and missing material for everything else.
- Waiting weeks for approvals while interest fades.
- Publishing everything at once instead of spreading content over time.
- Forgetting sponsors' needs until after the event.
Questions people ask
How quickly should the highlight film be ready?
Within a few days is ideal, while attendees still remember the event and are sharing it.
Is it worth recording every session?
If sessions have long-term value for attendees, members or training, yes. Otherwise, record key sessions and capture short clips from the rest.
How we create recap content
At Fat Cat Media we plan event coverage around the recap: same-day clips, highlight films, session recordings and photos. We have covered events across the UAE since 2012. See our event coverage service and photo and video at one event.
Need help with event videography?
Conferences, launches, parties and activations: highlight films and full recordings. Send us a short brief and we will come back with an itemised quote.
