It Is Time To Revolutionize Conferences October 16, 2013 by Jeff Hurt The traditional conference is in dire need of creativity, innovation and reinvention! It has been stuck in an ancient, out-dated rut for too long. Those planning and organizing conferences need to see themselves as creators and artists. As Seth Godin says in Linchpin, “An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity and boldness to … [Read more…] Filed Under: Experience Design Tagged With: , conferences, meeting industry trends, sponsorship, trends - See more at: http://velvetchainsaw.com/?s=trends#sthash.g8yHnu7l.dpuf
Five Myths Of Interactive, Participatory Learning For STEM Conferences October 11, 2013 by Jeff Hurt It’s one of the most common excuses I hear from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics/Medical) conference organizers today… “As ______________ (insert appropriate STEM word) attendees, they won’t participate in interactive sessions or discussions. They don’t want to be actively involved. They don’t like to talk. They came to hear from an expert. We can’t leave … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , active learning, adult learning strategies, collaborative learning, education best practices, interactive, participatory learning
Increase Conference Attendee Engagement, Intimacy And Participation At Your Next Event October 10, 2013 by Jeff Hurt Have you ever attended a conference by yourself and you didn’t know anyone there? If you have, you’ve experienced a range of emotions from anticipation to anxiousness to concern. If no one acknowledges or welcomes you when you first step onsite, you may feel like an outsider. Conferences can be some of the loneliest places … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , active participation, association, community, engagement, participatory learning
Fostering Weak Ties And Speed Networking Tips For Your Conference October 4, 2013 by Jeff Hurt VCC’s VP of Professional Connexity, Sarah Michel, is the go-to-networker-guru. She lives and breaths networking and connexity. She recently wrote about how weak ties can make conferences stronger and connexity, and has a series called Perfecting Connecting. After reading her recent post, I had several questions about weak ties, speed networking and conferences. I wanted … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , conference best practices, conferences, connexity, networking
Eight Unique Types Of Conference Relationships You Can Grow October 2, 2013 by Jeff Hurt Relationships can be messy business! We all have some type of unique relationship with everyone that we know. We have long histories with some people that include thousands of distinct touchpoints and interactions that shape how we feel about one another. We are very close to some people and not so close to others. We … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , conference best practices, conferences, connexity, networking
Adding Active Learning Strategies To Passive Video Watching To Increase Effectiveness October 1, 2013 by Jeff Hurt Watching online video has gone from being a niche activity to mainstream. The implications of online video growth are huge for brands, organizations as well as learning. Yet watching a video is a passive experience. And often our minds jump to couch potato mode, conditioned by watching years of TV in passive mindsets. Tips To … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , active learning, adult learning strategies, education best practices, online education, online learning, video
Do You Want Your Audience To View Your Video Or Learn From It? September 30, 2013 by Jeff Hurt Online videos seem to be the rampant trend right now. Online video sharing apps like YouTube, Vimeo, Netflix, Hulu, Instagram, TED Talks, Vine, Viddy, Vigi, Mobli, Lightt, Telly, TwitC, Socialcam, Klip, Tout and Bob.TV are all declaring it the decade of online video. Here’s the fact many of these online video programs forget to tell … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , education best practices, online education, online learning, video
How To Identify Technologies That Matter September 27, 2013 by Jeff Hurt Many of us are looking for the next, big, shiny new technology tool. Yet the noise about new technologies makes it very difficult to identify which tools really matter. The parade of new technologies and advances is persistent. So many new apps or tools appear on the world stage that we often feel overwhelmed about … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Technology Tagged With: , disruptive technologies
Conference Audiences Expect These Things [Updated] September 26, 2013 by Jeff Hurt Conference audiences of days gone by were satisfied with the gathering of colleagues, a mediocre experience and a few useful tips. Today’s audiences are more demanding and sophisticated. They expect to learn practical and useful information that solves their individual problems. They expect speaker presentations that are compelling and memorable. And they expect to be … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , audience expectations, conference best practices, conferences, meeting planning best practices, presentation strategies
Association Professionals And Conference Organizers: Embrace Curiosity To Avoid Stagnation September 24, 2013 by Jeff Hurt In today’s rapidly changing world, if you are not moving forward, you are falling behind. Our challenge is to keep pace with the changing tides of our profession. To do that, you have to constantly learn, unlearn and relearn. It’s your job to take control of your personal and professional growth to ensure that your … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , conferences, learning, meeting professionals, unlearning
