Tag: brain-friendly conferences


Are You Promoting Outdated Conference Education Models? Junk Brain Science Exposed Part 2

Having one’s fundamental belief systems challenged is hard. When those core beliefs are proven, through science, to be incorrect, it is even harder to let go. Sometimes it takes days, months and even years to let the new information unfold and develop an understanding of the new concepts. Sometimes we refuse to let go. Sometimes … [Read more…]

Alleged Brain Science Education Exposed – Learning To Unlearn, Learn And Relearn

“The secret to learning new things is to be willing to unlearn–even if your behaviors previously brought success.” ~ Marcia Connor. Unlearning, Learning And Relearning About How The Brain Impacts Conferences And Events I’m been in an unlearning funk for the past year or so. I didn’t want to give up familiar education models. They … [Read more…]

Three Critical Keys To Your Annual Meeting Education Success: Context, Recall And Storytelling

When was the last time you ordered something in a restaurant and the wait staff brought you the wrong dish? Go ahead and think about that for a minute. You’re probably thinking, “Uh-h, when was the last time that happened? Where was I?” French Onion Soup, Cheese Fondue And Mushroom Crepes It happened to me … [Read more…]

Are Your Annual Meetings Producing Life-Giving Oxygen Or Life-Draining Experiences?

Oxygen, we can’t live without it. We need it to live, breath and function. This colorless, odorless, tasteless gas is the third most abundant element in the universe next to hydrogen and helium. It changes everything it touches. It forms compounds with almost everything it contacts and creates something new. Most molecules in living organisms … [Read more…]

Innovative Techniques In Conference Formats

Today I’m facilitating my second Peer2Peer presentation,  for the PCMA Education Conference 2010 in Montreal, Canada on Innovative Techniques In Conference Formats. Here is the brief session description, the learning objectives and the slide deck I used. In a world of multi-tasking and high-tech innovations, today’s attendee wants a meeting experience which will inspire and … [Read more…]

Improving The Annual Meeting Experience By Strolling Down [Semantic] Memory Lane

You’ve got 15 minutes to dash into your favorite hardware store and purchase some finishing nails for a project. You know exactly where they are as you’ve walked passed them many times. As you enter the store a sense of dread overwhelms you. The management has rearranged the products and aisles. You look up and … [Read more…]

Making Meaningful Meeting Memories: Using The Five Memory Lanes

Have you ever lost your keys? Your wallet? Your cell phone? Your favorite pen? I have. Well, I didn’t really lose them. I just forgot where I put them. I have a ritual of walking into my house and always placing my keys, wallet, favorite pen and cell phone in the same spot. That way … [Read more…]

Designing Next Generation Conference Education Sessions

On May 11, 2010, I presented a Webinar for KRM Information on Designing Next Generation Conference Education Sessions: Creating an Environment for Informal and Formal Learning in a Digital Age. Update May 13, 2010: Listen to the free recording of the sixty-minute presentation. As promised, here are the slides from the presentation. Enjoy. Designing Next Generation … [Read more…]

Creating Memory-Filled Emotional Conference Experiences

Take a stroll with me down memory lane. Imagine your favorite food that your mom, dad, grandmother, grandfather or other relative used to cook for you. Got it in your mind? Recall how it looked, it smelled and tasted. Now, close your eyes and think about where that food was lovingly made. Where are you … [Read more…]

Creating The Conference Cranium Conduit

Would you go to your local hardware store and walk down the paint aisle to buy milk? Of course you wouldn’t. If you tried, you could spend hours trying to find milk. When you go to the hardware store, you are usually there to purchase something for repair, renovation or home improvement. You don’t normally … [Read more…]