Ramblings


[WEBINAR] What a Difference Strategy Makes: Behind the Scenes of American Psychological Association’s 2020 Virtual

A virtual experience successful beyond their wildest dreams? You bettcha. Hear from two key executives from the APA on how they strategically turned a challenge into an opportunity to bring their community together like never before. They themed each day around relevant content, particularly via general sessions, and turned networking on its ear. Exhibitors? Not … [Read more…]

[Webinar] INFLUENCE 2020, National Speakers Association Virtual Experience

Meet the brains behind the design of the highly successful National Speakers Association’s INFLUENCE 2020 Virtual in August. Discover how they created memorable experiences, facilitated networking and delivered inspiring general sessions. Understand the strategy behind transforming a 3-day event into an 8-week virtual experience that launched their new digital vault. Hear testimonials from first-hand attendees–experts … [Read more…]

If You Build It, Will They Come? How Two Large Fall Shows Are Forging Ahead

As many associations wrestle with decisions for their fall conferences and shows, the question on everyone’s mind is, if you build it, will they come? Join this interactive webinar to learn how organizers of two very large events—one a trade association and the other professional—are tackling, planning and preparing for this fall. They have two … [Read more…]

Webinar: Monetizing Your Virtual Conference When Competing with Free

PCMA is hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, May 13, at 2 pm ET, featuring Dave Lutz and Lisa Block of Velvet Chainsaw Consulting. Webinar description: Monetizing Your Virtual Conference When Competing with Free Everyone and their brother is hosting webinars and virtual networking opportunities. Like this one, most are free. This topic is a … [Read more…]

[Webinar] Mission Critical: How One Association Transformed its Live Event to Virtual in Record Time

This is not a typical story. The American Association of Suicidology’s annual meeting had been growing steadily in recent years. When their reimagined conference couldn’t take place in Portland, Ore., in late April, staff and volunteers went into overdrive to transition the physical meeting to a virtual one in a matter of days.They knew how … [Read more…]

Will Work for Goodwill

Living in Orlando (not the happiest place in the world today) provides a close-up view of the horrific impact the pandemic is having on people and businesses in the live-event, hospitality and travel industries. Nearly all of our association clients are making enterprise-changing decisions to cancel or postpone their marquee events while saying goodbye to … [Read more…]

Katie Winter Joins the Velvet Chainsaw Team

We’re excited to announce that Katie Winter has joined the Velvet Chainsaw team as Client Projects & Stories Specialists! Lucky for us, Katie and her family recently relocated to Cleveland, OH from Chicago, IL. Katie will work closely with our Director of Client Project & Stories, Michele Frania, to conduct in-depth conference audience analysis…the cornerstone … [Read more…]

Free-Agent, Lisa Block, Joins Velvet Chainsaw

While many have been focused this winter on who is going to land free agents like Bryce Harper or Manny Machado, Lisa Block inked a deal to join the Velvet Chainsaw Consulting team! Lisa will join our team just in time for opening day – April 2, 2019 – as Executive Vice President, Conference Strategy … [Read more…]

Your Two Cents on Virtual Events

Improving digital learning and amplifying conference content to a larger audience is a high priority for most conference organizers. With the advent of DIY solutions, business models that include sponsorship and the ability to reach a global audience, we’re seeing an increased focus on expanding the impact of virtual events. Tagoras, an adviser to associations … [Read more…]

How Is Your Association Using Learning Technologies?

Improving digital learning and amplifying conference content to a larger audience is a high priority for many clients we consult with. With the advent of DIY solutions, business models that include sponsorship and the strategic alignment of reaching a global audience, we’re seeing an increased focus on expanding the impact of digital learning. If you … [Read more…]