Many of us do it. We seek the next great idea. We read lists of tips and tricks in search of one unique takeaway we can try at our event. We observe what other conferences are doing. We turn to the experts and others who have had success and ask them how they did it. We complain if an expert doesn't tell us how to do something so we can copy them. Conference Impersonators Sure imitation is one of the greatest forms of flattery as the old adage states. Yet too often, conference … [Read more...]
Your Rigid Thinking May Block Conference Improvements
Did you learn how to ride a bicycle as a kid? We often say, “Well, it’s just like riding a bicycle. Once you learn how, you’ll never forget.” But what if you had to forget everything you learned about riding a bicycle? What if you had to unlearn and start over? Could you learn, unlearn and relearn how to ride a bicycle? Your Cognitive Bias Equals Rigid Thinking You probably said yes, that you could learn, unlearn and relearn how to ride a bicycle. And therein lies your biggest … [Read more...]
Four Commitments That Block Conference Reinvention
Some conferences keep pace with changing times. Others seem stuck in a time warp. Tradition led them to success in the past and they expect it will in the future. Most organizations respond to changing times in some way. Many respond by increasing the flurry of activity that has resulted in past success. Usually, that’s the wrong response. Active Inertia: The Early Failure Warning Sign Active inertia is the primary reason organizations fail to adapt to changing business environments says … [Read more...]
Disruptive Revolutionary Conferences Are Coming: The Need To Refocus On Our Customer
"If anyone is going to disrupt this industry, it is going to be us!" I love this quote from Smart Customers, Stupid Companies. I think more conference organizers should adopt it! Here’s my question for meeting professionals and conference organizers: Are you going to have “Smart Attendees, Stupid Conferences or Smart Attendees, Smart Conferences?” To paraphrase Smart Companies authors Michael Hinshaw and Bruce Kasanoff: Massive disruption is coming (and in many cases has already … [Read more...]
