Conference Session Descriptions That Whet the Appetite March 16, 2010 by Jeff Hurt This is the first in a series on writing better conference session descriptions. This overview article was written (well, ghostwritten by me in collaboration with Dave Lutz) for Dave’s People & Processes column in PCMA’s March edition of Convene. In subsequent posts, we’ll explore conference sessions titles, descriptions and learner objectives in more detail. Why … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education, Event Planning Tagged With: , association, conference best practices, conference session descriptions, conference session titles, conferences, learner objectives, meeting, meeting planner, meeting planning best practices, professional development, writing good conference session descriptions
Emotional Connection, Brand Loyalty & Cinemas: The Art Of Storytelling March 8, 2010 by Dave Lutz A little over four years ago, I left the C-suite to begin the next chapter in my life. During my first few months, I had the opportunity to do some serious soul searching and self discovery. Like many of you, I have a passion for learning. I initially focused much of my reading around increasing … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , association, conferences, content, delivery, storytelling
The American Idol Strategy Of Picking Conference Speakers March 5, 2010 by Jeff Hurt America has a love-hate-relationship with American Idol. We boo the negative naysayer and painfully honest founder and judge Simon Cowell. Although we often secretly agree with what he has to say. We applaud the effervescent Ellen DeGeneres when she says she likes a finalist and compares them to an unripe banana. Although we know she … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , association, conferences, content, delivery, Education & Adult Learning, event, meeting, speaker, Speaker Emerging Practices
Does Your Conference Content Resemble New York City Or A Ghost Town? March 4, 2010 by Jeff Hurt Consider your association’s education and conference content. Does it resemble a vibrant, youthful, buzzing community, like the always open 24-7 New York City? Or does it resemble an old ghost town with dust and tumbleweeds, a city stuck in the past refusing to change with the times? Now let’s take that further. So, which do … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , association, conferences, content, Education & Adult Learning, event, meeting
An Open Letter To Association Board Members, Committees, Executives March 2, 2010 by Jeff Hurt Dear Association X (insert your association name here): I have been a member of your association for several years. I am writing this open letter to you about your annual conference and event speakers, and how they map to my professional development needs. For the past several years, I have attended your annual meetings and … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , association, conferences, content, Education & Adult Learning, meeting, Speaker Emerging Practices
Is Your Conference Content Boogielicious Or Headbanging Hurt? March 1, 2010 by Jeff Hurt Can your conference content boogie? Is its SPH (Sessions Per Hour), similar to BPM, contagious, and trance-like making everyone want to sway to its beat? Does your content have an infectious swing and shuffle rhythm that makes the heart beat faster, toes tap and the booty shake more? Does it have a rockabilly, blues, boogie-woogie … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , association, conferences, content, Education & Adult Learning
Is It Our (De)-Fault To Distance Ourselves From The Meeting’s Content And Programming? February 19, 2010 by Jeff Hurt What event professional do you know that takes full responsibility for the entire attendee experience at their face-to-face event or meeting? What would meetings and events look like if meeting professional’s quit blaming others for the content, programming and experience of the event? For the past 18 months I’ve consistently heard meetings and event professionals … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , association, content, Education & Adult Learning, engagement, event, face-to-face event, meeting, meeting planner, meeting professional
20 Things To Do To Make Your Conference Experience More Successful February 18, 2010 by Jeff Hurt If you’re like me, you’re probably planning on attending at least one conference in the coming months. Do you make a list of goals or people that you want to meet before you attend? Or do you attend with a free spirit attitude and let spontaneity rule? Regardless of your conference mindset, here’s a quick … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , association, conferences, Education & Adult Learning, meeting, pre-conference planning tips, Tweetup, Twtvite
Roast Your Conventional Thinking: Reverse Your Perspective February 4, 2010 by Jeff Hurt In the late 1950s before Seattleites were known as flannel-wearing, granola-eating, sandal-sporting, long-haired, liberal, hippie, indie-rock iPods listeners and fair trade coffee organic food freaks, a mysterious phenomenon occurred. People began discovering small pockmarks on their windshields. A mass hysteria developed as more and more Seattleites found these tiny scars on their vehicles. A pockmark … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , association, conference, event
Exhibitors Dissatisfied With Current Convention Housing Practices: Serious Problem Or Major Opportunity February 3, 2010 by Dave Lutz By Dave Lutz, Managing Director, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting Last week Expo Magazine Insights newsletter linked to a Trade Show Exhibitor Association (TSEA) exhibitor housing survey. The survey’s key findings are: 8% of exhibitors believe shows have fair convention housing practices. 69% of exhibitors book their hotel rooms through show convention housing bureaus. 89% of exhibitors … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , association, Best Available Rate, conferences, convention housing practices, event, exhibitor, Expo Magazine, RevPar, tradeshow, TSEA
