Innovators Network Differently November 13, 2015 by Dave Lutz After studying a whole bunch of professional conferences, it’s very clear to me what separates a thriving event from one on life support. For multi-day conferences, a growing number register and return because of who else will be there. Our attendees have more choices than ever for professional development and acquiring purchasing intelligence. Today, it’s … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , active participation, conference best practices, engagement, Innovation, innovators, networking
An Anthropologist Walks Into A Conference September 9, 2015 by Jeff Hurt As your conference grows, it faces increased complexity. According to a recent IBM study of 1,600+ CEOs, the biggest challenge their companies face is the complexity gap. Eight out of ten of those CEOs expect their business environment to grow in complexity but less than half are prepared to face that change. Your conference’s growth … [Read more…] Filed Under: Experience Design Tagged With: , anthropology, big data, big insights, conference best practices, conference evaluation, education best practices, human sciences, measurement, phenomenology, Qualitative measures, speaker evaluations
Implicit vs. Explicit: Beyond the Badge Mass Personalization August 19, 2015 by Dave Lutz Whether your data capture and personalization efforts are implicit, explicit or a combination, it’s critical to develop a rubric. When combined with behavioral data, paths for mass personalization will emerge. Many associations are at the beginning of this journey and will learn much from internet commerce best practices. My Big Move Late last year, I … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Technology, Experience Design Tagged With: , behavioral data, conference best practices, event mobile apps, event technology, iBeacon, mass personalization
Effective, High Impact Leaders Attack Established Conditions July 28, 2015 by Jeff Hurt If a problem persists for years, it is no longer a crisis. It’s a condition. Many organizations face situations built upon shoddy foundations of myth, tradition and common-sense practices. The current state of affairs has prevailed so long they are now the accepted conditions. It’s a condition of “everyone else does it that way” shadows. … [Read more…] Filed Under: Experience Design Tagged With: , association best practices, association governance, becoming a conference leader, governance model, leadership, nonprofit governance
Using The Power Of Stories To Transform Conference General Sessions July 27, 2015 by Jeff Hurt We are a story driven world. We are each a story wrapped in a skin says Dr. Leonard Sweet. When we begin to share our journeys, our stories intersect. Our conferences need to create more story people. We need to transition from speakers talking at audiences and experts telling their stories. We need to move … [Read more…] Filed Under: Experience Design Tagged With: , attendee experience, community, connections, connexity, general session, general sessions, images, metaphors, narraphors, neuroscience, stories, story people, story sharing, storytelling, table talk, unforgettable events
Sponsorship Mattering: From Logos and Noise to Emotional Experiences [Free eBook] July 13, 2015 by Wendy Holliday Sponsorships featuring logos, eyeballs and impressions don’t carry the same value they once did. At the same time, sponsorship buyers are becoming more sophisticated about the dollars they invest and how they leverage emotional marketing. They’re also refining their palate to deliver more intimate customer and prospect experiences including hosting their own exclusive events. Conference … [Read more…] Filed Under: Experience Design, Sponsorship & Exhibits Tagged With: , conference best practices, meeting planning best practices
Getting Leadership Buy-in For Your Conference Upgrades June 19, 2015 by Jeff Hurt Your conference planning team has bought in to the idea that their traditional conference model needs to change. They’ve even agreed to some of the unique changes that should happen. Now you have to convince your leadership including the C-Suite, possibly the Board of Directors, and others, that these changes are the right move to … [Read more…] Filed Under: Experience Design Tagged With: , adult education, adult learning, adult learning principles, conference best practices, conference education, dealing with resistance, education best practices
Treating Attendees As Human Beings Not Machines June 1, 2015 by Jeff Hurt Creating a conference culture of connection is a robust competitive advantage. One of the most powerful and often misunderstood aspects of successful conferences is authentically connecting with others. Too often our conference networking experiences disintegrate into ego driven, self-promotional, self-exploiting opportunities. It is irrational not to intentionally create conference experiences that nurture and promote authentic … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Networking, Experience Design Tagged With: , community, conference best practices, connections, connexity, engagement, networking
Conference Experiential Design: Why Emotion Trumps Efficiency May 28, 2015 by Donna Kastner This post, Delivering Experience, by Anthony Iannarino stuck in my mind as it sparked new ideas about conference experience design. Iannarino recounts a dining experience with his wife at a “funky, cool, eclectic” restaurant. Within moments of arriving, drink orders were swiftly taken and delivered. Entrees arrived moments later. Then the check, lickety-split. The Speed … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning, Experience Design Tagged With: , conference design, conference experience design
Conference WOW Moments Require Perpetual Reinvention May 20, 2015 by Donna Kastner Your mighty event team managed to transform a “what if?” idea into a five-star, conference greatest hit. The attendee WOW factor was off the charts. This big moment gave your brand a major boost, with social shares rippling out to others who didn’t attend, but now wish they had. Everyone’s talking about this incredible experience, … [Read more…] Filed Under: Experience Design Tagged With: , attendee satisfaction, conference best practices, conference experience design
