Creating a Hosting Mindset is Actually Easy June 30, 2014 by Sarah Michel On a recent visit to a nice resort in Santa Barbara, I was struck by how friendly and helpful the staff was. It was evident from the moment I stepped out of the car and encountered the first employee in the parking lot. He welcomed me and asked how he could help. Being An Ambassador … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , ambassador of goodwill, host, hostmanship, welcoming attitude
Delivering Community And Connections at Conferences June 3, 2014 by Sarah Michel Does your conference have connexity? Not sure what that means? Or even if your conference has it? Well, the success of your face-to-face meetings depends on it! Connexity Happens When… Connexity happens when community and connecting collide! In a good way of course. Your attendees crave these two things: They want to connect with others … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design, Sponsorship & Exhibits Tagged With: , conference best practices, conference community, conferences, connections, connexity, sponsorship
Three Amen-Astonishing Ways To Improve Your Conference Networking April 21, 2014 by Dave Lutz Networking! It’s one of the top reasons participants say they attend your conference. Yet few know how to do it effectively. Give them a helping hand. Networking’s Value Proposition Networking can be the most subjective and variable portion of your conference value proposition. For some, one or two meaningful interactions can more than justify the … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , conference best practices, conferences, connections
From Strangers To Friends: Bridging Attendee Loneliness With Conference Community April 1, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Everybody needs to know Somebody who cares. Just a friendly face You can trust to be there. Are you afraid to be known And not be a stranger? Everyone’s connected but no one is connecting The human element has long been missing Tell me, have you seen it? Have you seen it? Alone by Armin … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , conference best practices, conferences, connections, connexity, emotional connection
The Neuroscience of Networking: Why Networking Matters To Your Conference February 18, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Your brain is passionate about one thing. So much so that when it is not thinking about a problem or focused on something specific, it defaults to doing this one thing. Neuroscientist Dr. Matthew Lieberman says that our brains have a passion of their own. “We know this because our brains seem to devote all … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , brain-friendly conferences, brain-friendly meetings, conferences, connections, connexity
Helping Conference First Timers And Solo Attendees Get Plugged In February 4, 2014 by Donna Kastner Imagine that you’re a first-time attendee at a conference that draws thousands. To make matters even more challenging, you’re flying solo. No safety net of colleagues to meet-up with every now and then. The Solo Attendee By day, you move from session to session, trying to make eye contact with strangers. You even manage to … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , conference best practices, engagement
Defrosting New Conference Connections December 23, 2013 by Sarah Michel “It was awkward and painful,” my friend said. That’s how she described attending a professional meeting where she didn’t know anyone. She was at a loss for how to melt the ice and warm up to others. Especially professionals she perceived to have more experience and knowledge than her. Sound familiar? Here was someone who … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking Tagged With: , conference, conference best practices, meeting best practices, networking
Engaging Conference Attendees At Hello Results In Big Rewards November 22, 2013 by Dave Lutz Are you looking for ways to improve your conference attendee loyalty? If yes, and I’m sure you are, here’s an effective strategy: Integrate a deliberate on-boarding effort for new attendees into your attendance-marketing plan. Master this and you’ll receive big rewards! First Time Attendee Trend Our industry is experiencing an interesting trend with the increase … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , attendee loyalty, conference marketing, connexity, event marketing, networking
How The Most Brain Friendly Conference Makes Attendee Networking A Priority November 14, 2013 by Jeff Hurt Quick, name the top two reasons people pay to attend conferences? No, it’s not the attractiveness of the destination, although it does help. Nor is it the opening, marquee speaker. (Two-thirds of recent responders to the 2013 Speaker Report: The Use Of Professional And Industry Speakers In The Meetings Market say that a big name … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , conference best practices, conferences, connections, connexity, networking
Creating Jostled Serendipitous Encounters For Your Conference Networking November 4, 2013 by Jeff Hurt Walking into the pre-convene area of a convention center for a conference, it shouldn’t take long to meet up with another person strolling through the same hallways. Right? Now imagine crossing that same pre-convene area filled with throngs of people. How long will it take for one to reach another person from the same conference? … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , conference best practices, conferences, connections, networking
