Seen recently in conference personal ads: Wanted - LTR* with conference registrants. Those desiring a STF* need not register. Looking for those that are interested in more than a casual relationship, where both of us have a commitment to each other's success. Signed Conference Organizers *LTR - Long Term Relationship; STF - Short Term Fling Conference STFs Most conference organizers used to look for a no-strings-attached relationship with their paying customers. They were looking for … [Read more...]
Creating Meetings Fueled By Fiery Imaginations
Fires. They are powerful forces. Sometimes detrimental. Sometimes beneficial. Ultimately, fires are the visible, tangible effect of matter changing form. Fire is a chemical reaction. Just like fires, your meeting can serve as a visible, tangible effect of transformation. It can help people transform their professional lives, direction and goals. It can bring light to new situations, help them energize their plans and provide relevant takeaways that fuel their futures. Or your meeting can … [Read more...]
Four Questions To Consider To Turn Boring Meetings Into Productive Ones
Ping. A pop-up reminder notice appears on my computer. I react with a sick-in-the-stomach-feeling and a sense of dread. It is time to attend that regularly scheduled meeting. I prepare myself for another wasted, boring, unproductive meeting. I feel like my hands are tied. It is another hour lost into the business black hole. You have those feelings too, right? Planning Boring, Unproductive Meetings And Conferences I've planned some of those boring, unproductive meetings. You have too. … [Read more...]
14 Conference [Planning] Afflictions To Avoid
Just like highway accidents. You know you shouldn't but you do it anyway. You are drawn to slow down, look and watch. Highways have Looky-Loos and most conferences have rubberneckers. Those attendees that watch others' misfortune unveil and then play them over and over in slow motion as they discuss them with colleagues... Except for one glaring difference... Conference rubberneckers invest money in registration fees, travel, lodging, expenses, time and energy to attend. These paying … [Read more...]
We Participate, Therefore We Are
This spin on cogito ergo sum (English: "I think, therefore I am") could possibly be a good motto for all conferences and events. Social Learning We participate, therefore we are. Our learning, understanding and knowledge are developed in participation with others. Social learning occurs through conversations about the content and through grounded interactions and engagement with others. Often when we discuss a concept or issue with someone, we are internalizing and integrating it into our … [Read more...]
A Conference Attendee Dear John/Jane Letter
Dear Conference Organizers: This relationship isn't working out. You know, the one between us, the attendees, and you the conference organizers. It's time for us to explore other educational, community-building and networking opportunities. We've tried to make it work. But it's not us — it's you (really). We thought we would do things together. We were hoping we could talk more. With you. With your leaders. With your community. With our friends. But that hasn't happened. We only get to … [Read more...]
NASA Is Looking For Signs Of Life…At Your Conference
The National Adult Survival Association (NASA) has decided to send the next generation of land rovers to your annual meeting. These rovers have more robust and hyper-sensitive life detecting systems than the traditional conference evaluation smile sheets. NASA is looking for signs of life...at your conference. NASA's researchers have documented that your conference had life ten and twenty years ago. They've seen ancient artifacts of printed conference brochures, articles and photos that … [Read more...]
Tackle These Four Barriers That Prevent Effective Conference And Meeting Change
When was the last time you introduced some changes in your annual conferences and meetings? Perhaps you rearranged the schedule, mixed things up or set rooms in different layouts. So how comfortable was that change for you? I'll admit that I'm not comfortable with change unless I'm told why I need to change or I'm part of the change process from the beginning. Many years ago I used to travel four to six days a week facilitating workshops. I'd go on the road and come home to find my house … [Read more...]
