Conferences Need Quality Measurement Tools And Feedback To Spur Innovation April 23, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Most conferences suck at collecting data. (Oh, were good at collecting registration and fees but that’s about it!) It requires work, intentionality, time and interpretation to get the feedback we need to make improvements and drive innovation. I like what CEO and meetings professional Hugh Plappert says about conference measurement: Measuring requires planning. Planning requires … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , conference best practices, conference evaluation, education best practices, speaker evaluations
Conferences Suck At Measurement! April 22, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Conference professionals suck at measurement. If you trust your conference smile sheet evaluations as a barometer of how effective your conference education was, you are just being foolish says learning research psychologist Dr. Will Thalheimer. Ouch! The truth hurts! The Emptiness Of Smile Sheets Evaluations Thalheimer points to research that the smile sheet evaluation shows … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , conference best practices, conference evaluation, education best practices, speaker evaluations
Bringing Authentic Conference Conversations To Life April 16, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Peer conversations are more important to your conference than you know. I’m not talking about one of your attendees serving as a speaker talking at the audience. That’s a lecture. I’m referring to peer conversations in pairs, threesomes and small groups. You know when it’s happening at conferences because the rooms are buzzing with discussions. … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , adult learning, conference best practices, conference education, conversations, discussions, education best practices, peer-based learning, peer-to-peer, peerology
Innovation Starts With Observing Your Conference Attendees In Action April 14, 2014 by Jeff Hurt With today’s tools and environment, radical innovation is extraordinarily accessible to those who know how to cultivate it says author Steven Berlin Johnson. Some environments and workplace cultures squelch innovation while others breed it he adds. So what do conference organizers need in order to embrace innovation in their conferences, meetings and events? The Innovators’ … [Read more…] Filed Under: Experience Design Tagged With: , conference best practices, conferences, Innovation, meeting planning best practices
High Voltage Highlights About Speakers At Meetings Infographic April 11, 2014 by Jeff Hurt The 2013 Speaker Report: The Use of Professional and Industry Speakers In the Meetings Market (Free PDF download. No contact information required.) Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , industry speaker, professional speakers
Conference Education Should Drive Business Growth April 10, 2014 by Jeff Hurt The only reason that conference education sessions exist is to drive a business’ outcomes. (paraphrase author Rita Smith.) Ok, sure some conference education sessions exist for personal development, hobbies or pleasure. But most of us attend conferences to learn and grow professionally. Yet, in many cases, the business, meaning an attendees’ employer and business, is … [Read more…] Filed Under: Business Model Tagged With: , business case for events, conference best practices, conference education, conferences, Event ROI, meeting planning best practices, meeting professional
What Will Associations Monetize In The Future? April 9, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Associations offer more than education opportunities. They provide industry research, membership, certification and standards, networking and advocacy. And all of these services have been monetized in order to provide additional services for their members. Yet, today, many of these services have become commoditized. Others produce these products, often at higher quality, with value-adds, at lower … [Read more…] Filed Under: Business Model Tagged With: , adult education, adult learning, learning design, participatory design
Escape Your Conference Comfort Zone To Become Happier And Smarter April 7, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Conference organizers, whatever scares you when planning your event, plan to do it now! That’s right, run to your fear and escape your conference comfort zone! Why? Busting out of your conference comfort zone leads to a longer, happier, smarter life with increased confidence, gratification and satisfaction, to paraphrase author Ken Budd. Boredom Kills Too … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , brain-friendly conferences, brain-friendly meetings, conference best practices, meeting planning best practices, meeting professionals, neuroscience
Four Blissfully Easy Ways To Use Social Media For Your Events [Infographic] April 4, 2014 by Jeff Hurt According to Joinin (formerly Eventility), events and social media are a match made in heaven. Take a look at their infographic to learn why. Filed Under: Social Media Tagged With: , conferences, events, facebook, social media for events, twitter, YouTube
Crank Up Your Conference Emotional Intensity With Bright Lights April 3, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Forget about turning down the lights to set the mood for your opening general session. Why? It’s the perfect way to disengage and dial back your attendees’ emotions. If you want to emotionally connect and increase your audience’s emotional intensity, a University of Toronto study says you need to turn lights up bright! Bright Lights … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , attendee engagement, conferences, engagement, general sessions, meeting planner, meeting professionals
