Let's face it. Most conference education is lackluster. Actually, most of it stinks, is dull and could be used to line bird cages. Generally, our customers say they attend conferences and meetings to learn and network. Yet, we as conference organizers continue to do the same things we've always done when planning our meetings--focus on the logistics and details. Ultimately, the biggest barrier to better conference education is the speaker. Conference organizers typically secure industry … [Read more...]
Improving Your Conference Education: Begin With The End In Mind
When securing speakers for you next conference or meeting, here are two things that you can do that will have an immediate positive effect on your conference education: Tell your speakers that you want them to build their presentations backwards. They should begin by identifying the learning outcomes. What is it that they want their attendees to learn and remember after attending their presentation? Then build their presentations around those objectives. Ask them to identify the top three … [Read more...]
Eight Conference Presentation Myths That Hamstring Attendees’ Learning
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 lecture or panel discussion that best serves all conference attendees. Reality: Homogenized conference … [Read more...]
The American Idol Strategy Of Picking Conference Speakers
America has a love-hate-relationship with American Idol. We boo the negative naysayer and painfully honest founder and judge Simon Cowell. Although we often secretly agree with what he has to say. We applaud the effervescent Ellen DeGeneres when she says she likes a finalist and compares them to an unripe banana. Although we know she is struggling to find something positive to say when a singer does a poor job. The entire process of finding the next American Idol is very similar to the … [Read more...]
An Open Letter To Association Board Members, Committees, Executives
Dear Association X (insert your association name here): I have been a member of your association for several years. I am writing this open letter to you about your annual conference and event speakers, and how they map to my professional development needs. For the past several years, I have attended your annual meetings and listened to your speakers. I have walked into your general sessions and listened attentively to your choice of keynote speakers. I have sat there and wondered why you … [Read more...]
Fore! Some Master It. Others Teach It. A Speaker Selection Golf Lesson For Meeting Professionals
In early history, golf was reserved for the royals, played with sticks and pebbles over natural landscapes. During the Industrial Revolution, golf clubs and balls became mass produced and inexpensive enough for more of us to chase the little white ball around a fairway, rough and other hazards. Today, there are millions of golfers in the world and thousands of professionals. So what does this have to do conferences and events? Everything. And I'm not referring to conference golf tournaments … [Read more...]
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