The 21st Century Meeting Professional: Act Strategically, Think Both Functionally And Strategically April 6, 2017 by Jeff Hurt What’s the role of the 21st Century meeting and conference professional? In the past, the answer was easy. Perform very straight forward, transactional, functional tasks related to the logistics of conferences, meetings and events. S/He fulfilled the same types of tasks on a daily basis. When asked to make improvements, s/he focused on efficiency and … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , ambidextrous organization, conference organizer, conference strategy, meeting professional, strategic planning, strategic thinking, strategic value
Even More Buckaroo Breakaway Cadillac Conference Programming Trends – Part 2 January 19, 2017 by Jeff Hurt Expect the unexpected…just as Buckaroo Banzai did in the 1980s movie of the same name. Buckaroo and his merry band of cavaliers were ready to save the world from whatever came their way. They would embrace the context of each dimension much like you need to embrace these current conference programming trends. While these trends … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning, Experience Design Tagged With: , attendee experience, collaboration, conference organizer, disruption, future-focused conference programming, leadership, meeting planner, strategic thinking, systems thinking, trends
Tactical Or Strategic: Which Best Describes Your Governing Nonprofit Board August 19, 2016 by Jeff Hurt Tactical board members are focused on the predictability of the past for today, the here and now, and getting through the year. Strategic board members think, prepare and act on challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Why? Because they care about the organization’s future. They know they can play an important role in creating their … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings Tagged With: , ASAE16, association governance, association issues and challenges, integrated reasoning, strategic thinking, strategy, tactics
Avoid These Hazardous Conference Planning Thinkholes [Part 2] July 20, 2016 by Jeff Hurt Ever run your car over some severe potholes? It can do some major damage to your tires. And to your vehicle too. Potholes can be an expensive problem for both drivers and cities. Just like potholes, conference planning thinkholes can be an expensive problem for your event. They can create some major cavities and damage … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , conference planning thinkholes, reflective thinking, strategic thinking, thinkholes, thinking
Common, Yet Hazardous, Conference Planning Thinkholes That Inhibit Uniqueness July 14, 2016 by Jeff Hurt Why do so many people rate the conference experience as stale, predictable and average at best? Why do conference leaders miss the mark at preparing their own unique DNA conference experience? Why do so many conference organizers miss the opportunity to create a matchless thumbprint on their event’s identity? We as conference organizers often have … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , conference planning thinkholes, reflective thinking, strategic thinking, thinkholes, thinking
Four Stupendous Strategic Steps You Should Practice Regularly February 19, 2016 by Jeff Hurt One of the biggest challenges we face—especially nonprofit association and conference professionals–is spending adequate time thinking. For some reason, we believe that doing is better than thinking. When we do something, we seem to make progress. Well, at least that’s what we tell ourselves. When we think, there doesn’t seem to be any forward movement. … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , association executives, credibility, event professionals, hospitality professionals, meeting planning best practices, meeting professionals, strategic thinking, strategic value, strategy
Ten Ways Conference Professionals Can Gain Credibility And Increase Their Strategic Value July 9, 2015 by Jeff Hurt Are you looking to gain credibility? Do you want to climb the career ladder? Do you want to be seen by your executives as a leader who can add strategic value? Sure you do. And if you’re like most, you want to do this now. You don’t want to wait 10-20 years before people respect … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , credibility, event professionals, hospitality professionals, meeting planning best practices, meeting professionals, strategic thinking, strategic value
Conference Cloning: Principles Not Practices July 8, 2015 by Jeff Hurt 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. … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , conference best practices, conference practices, conference principles, conference reinvention, mindset, revolutionary conference, strategic thinking
Your Rigid Thinking May Block Conference Improvements July 7, 2015 by Jeff Hurt 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 … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , conference best practices, conference reinvention, mindset, revolutionary conference, strategic thinking, transformation
Impotent Conferences Are Powerless To Influence Forward Movement July 1, 2015 by Jeff Hurt Imagine a radio station that played adult contemporary, classical, country, dance, electronic, golden oldies, heavy metal, news, pop, R&B, rock, southern gospel and talk alternating between each. What if this commercial radio station tried to appeal to everyone’s musical taste as well as news and talk radio? How successful would it be? It wouldn’t work, … [Read more…] Filed Under: Event Planning Tagged With: , attendee experience, conference best practices, conference experience, conference organizer, learning, meeting professional, networking, strategic thinking, target market
