Conference Education Should Drive Business Growth April 10, 2014 by Jeff Hurt The only reason that conference education sessions exist is to drive a business’ outcomes. (paraphrase author Rita Smith.) Ok, sure some conference education sessions exist for personal development, hobbies or pleasure. But most of us attend conferences to learn and grow professionally. Yet, in many cases, the business, meaning an attendees’ employer and business, is … [Read more…] Filed Under: Business Model Tagged With: , business case for events, conference best practices, conference education, conferences, Event ROI, meeting planning best practices, meeting professional
Three Detours That Derail Conference YES Decisions April 8, 2014 by Donna Kastner Your email marketing blast generated plenty of clicks, but the registration needle hardly moved. What’s up with that? For every smooth registration, there are many more frustrating moments that cause people to bail on your conference invitation. You worked hard to earn that “maybe” click. Your next move must be stellar to convert that “maybe” … [Read more…] Filed Under: Attendance Marketing Tagged With: , conference best practices, conference niche campaigns, email marketing
Escape Your Conference Comfort Zone To Become Happier And Smarter April 7, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Conference organizers, whatever scares you when planning your event, plan to do it now! That’s right, run to your fear and escape your conference comfort zone! Why? Busting out of your conference comfort zone leads to a longer, happier, smarter life with increased confidence, gratification and satisfaction, to paraphrase author Ken Budd. Boredom Kills Too … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , brain-friendly conferences, brain-friendly meetings, conference best practices, meeting planning best practices, meeting professionals, neuroscience
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
Flipping Conference Education For Successful Learning March 28, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Sure, the “flipped classroom” is a buzzword and the trend right now. However, the concept of being learner-centric and providing active learning during the education session is not a trend! It’s here to stay because it works! Defining Flipped Education So what is the flipped conference education session? In short, the term is used to … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education, Experience Design Tagged With: , adult education, adult learning, conference best practices, conference education, conferences, flipped learning, The fl
Strategies To Create Conferences That Angry Millennials Love To Attend March 27, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Millennials are angry, vocal and hungry for social change says Nancy Lublin, CEO of dosomething.org and Umair Haque, director of Havas Media Labs in a September 2013 Fast Company article You need to adapt your conference or die! (Paraphrasing these two thought leaders). “You have to [change] if you want to stay in business. You’re … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , attracting millennials, conference best practices, conferences, generations, Millennial, next-generation conferences
Seriously, Your Conference Marketing Is Not About You! March 26, 2014 by Jeff Hurt It’s not about you! Seriously, I really mean it; it’s not about you! There is not a more accurate line about marketing your conference than that! No One Cares About You It’s not about you. It’s not about your organization. It’s not about your speakers and your sponsors. It’s not about what unique partnerships you’ve … [Read more…] Filed Under: Attendance Marketing Tagged With: , conference best practices, conference marketing, conferences, target market
Too Many Meeting Professionals Are Bored With Work March 25, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Are you part of the 87% of workers that are bored at work? According to Gallup, the bulk of employees, 63% are not engaged at work. They lack motivation and are less likely to invest initiative in organizational goals or outcomes. 24% are actively disengaged. They are unhappy and unproductive at work. And their negative … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , brain-friendly conferences, brain-friendly meetings, conference best practices, meeting planning best practices, meeting professionals, neuroscience
When Speakers Truly Care: From Spouting Witty Repartee To Transforming Lives March 20, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Our conferences and association education programming depend upon speakers as experts sharing their knowledge with the crowd. Yet, the education research is loud and clear that people talking at an audience does not necessarily lead to attendees’ learning. Actually, there’s more likelihood that you’ll win a multi-million dollar Powerball lottery than telling leads to learning. … [Read more…] Filed Under: Speaker Coaching Tagged With: , adult education, conference best practices, conferences, education best practices, presentation strategies, professional speakers
How Much Faith Do Your Attendees Have In Your Conference? March 10, 2014 by Jeff Hurt Faith. When you read that word does your mind jump to religion? Mine does. Our American experience tells us that “faith-based” refers to an organization that promotes a specific religious belief. Yet, there is another type of faith we need for conference success. Faith In Your Conference Your success as a conference organizer is entirely … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , conference best practices, conference design, conferences
