Better Meeting Planning Through Technology June 3, 2010 by Jeff Hurt Recently, I had the opportunity to moderate a PYM Knowledge Series discussion of three meetings and events technology experts on “Better Meeting Planning Through Technology.” From cost-saving audio/visual tips to things that seem more at home in a science fiction novel, like self-cleaning tablecloths and augmented reality, the panelists share their ideas for how meeting … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Technology Tagged With: , event technology, meeting planner, Web 2.0
The Quest for Continuous Meeting Improvement May 28, 2010 by Dave Lutz Every business seeks to hire and retain exceptional talent. Organizations that demonstrate that they care for their people are making an investment in their future. We’ve all heard it many times over. For meeting professionals to bring the greatest value to their organization, they’ve got to be strategic. The path leading to the executive table … [Read more…] Filed Under: Experience Design Tagged With: , blogs, conferences, logistics, meeting planner, strategic thinkin
What’s Your Experience With Attendees Staying Outside The Hotel Block And Driving Pick-up To The Max? May 17, 2010 by Dave Lutz This post is by Dave Lutz, Managing Director, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting. Why do attendees choose to stay outside the official conference hotel block? How do you manage it? What strategies have you used to drive maximum pick-up of your block? We’re looking for more examples and experiences to share and add to our list. … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , conferences, driving pick-up, hotel block, meeting logistics, meeting planner
Designing Next Generation Conference Education Sessions May 11, 2010 by Jeff Hurt 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…] Filed Under: Conference Education, Experience Design Tagged With: , active learning, adult learning, association, brain-friendly conferences, brain-friendly meetings, conferences, delivery, Education & Adult Learning, engagement, meeting planner, professional development, Social Media, Web 2.0
Did You Budget For Attrition This Year? May 10, 2010 by Dave Lutz Before the Great Recession, strong growth in occupancy and room rates helped many groups avoid guest-room attrition and other performance charges. With the dramatic decline in leisure and business travel, all of that has changed. The tide has turned. This year and into 2011, many groups can expect their room pickup to be down 10 … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , association, attrition, conferences, meeting planner
7 Annual Meeting Improvement Tactics During Tough Economies May 4, 2010 by Dave Lutz In a down economy, an organization’s worst survival tactic is to make budget or staff cuts. A weak economy should provide the impetus for us to work smarter and pull the trigger on those initiatives that may not have gone over well even in better times. Organizations that make the right moves will rule the … [Read more…] Filed Under: Experience Design Tagged With: , association, conferences, Education & Adult Learning, engagement, event, meeting planner, Social Media, tradeshow
How Do Your Dendrites Grow? With Enriched Environments, Active Participation And Conference Chairs Not In A Row April 20, 2010 by Jeff Hurt Imagine this scenario. You’re attending the annual conference of your favorite professional association. You can’t make up your mind which breakout to attend and decide to peek in on a couple sessions that have alluring topics and descriptions. Session 1 You walk into one room and find the presenter demonstrating the use of a popular … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education Tagged With: , active learning, active participation, association, brain-friendly conferences, brain-friendly meetings, conferences, Education & Adult Learning, meeting, meeting planner
Eight Conference Presentation Myths That Hamstring Attendees’ Learning April 13, 2010 by Jeff Hurt Most conference organizers see attendees as consumers of the conference’s content and experience. Little thought is given to seeing attendees as active participants in their own learning and experience. Here are eight conference presentation myths that hamstring most attendees’ learning that conference organizers should avoid. Myth 1: There is one single educational approach such as a … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education, Speaker Coaching Tagged With: , active learning, active participation, association, conferences, content, delivery, Education & Adult Learning, engagement, learning myths, meeting planner, presentation myths, Speaker Emerging Practices
Are You Providing A Homogenized Or Personalized Conference Experience? April 12, 2010 by Jeff Hurt Walk into most annual conference sessions and what do you see? What do you hear? You’ll probably hear and see the same thing in each room. One voice talking at a time. A speaker or panelist at the front of the room talking to a group of attendees. The attendees are sitting theater style facing … [Read more…] Filed Under: Conference Education, Experience Design Tagged With: , association, conferences, content, delivery, Education & Adult Learning, meeting planner
Who Is In Charge Of The Attendee Meeting Experience? Why You Need A Meeting Steward April 7, 2010 by Jeff Hurt Who is planning, facilitating and managing the attendee’s experience at your conference and events? Is it the job of the meeting professional? The education or marketing departments? The conference organizers? The attendee? Often no one person or group that is involved in organizing the meeting is actually taking a holistic approach to facilitating the attendee’s … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , association, community, conferences, content, Education & Adult Learning, meeting planner, meeting steward, meeting stewardship
