The Speaker As Part Of The Meetings Industry

While I have participated in several live "TweetChats", I have never before been the main guest.  This week (Tuesday, September 3, 2013) I am jumping in to share my thoughts as the featured guest on #NSAChat at 12:00 (noon) Central Time.  #NSAChat is a weekly Twitter Chat for those in the business of speaking, and hosted by my friend and fellow National Speakers Association member Eliz Greene.

The topic this week is "The Speaker as Part of the Meeting Industry".  Since creating the Conference Catalyst program I have come to view the role of the speaker at any event as greater than their time on stage.  Speakers set the tone for conferences, trade shows, conventions, seminars and other gatherings.  They are in a unique position to partner with meeting planners to help create a better conference attendee experience.

Those who present at meetings can be a valuable resource before, during and after the event.  The best ones work with the planners at all stages to help have a positive impact on the conference.

Speakers should also be involved with industry organizations (not just when they are speaking).  I am a big believer that those who speak to membership associations should also belong their own industry group(s).  The National Speakers Association (NSA) is one, but there is also Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), etc...  

In my involvement with my local MPI Chapter I have donated programs to their silent auction at the annual banquet, and I am now writing a monthly column for their e-newsletter.

There are many changes that are happening in the way meetings are being run and the expectations of how speakers engage the audience are always being discussed in industry forums.  Interactive presentations are becoming more popular, and planners are looking for unique programs that challenge their attendees.  Any speaker that wants to remain relevant should actively follow industry trends.

Other vendors in the Meeting Industry are very active in supporting the causes of the industry, and often attend (and sponsor) events and conferences..  Hotels, transportation companies, florists, outside meeting planning firms, printers, audio visual suppliers, meeting facilities, etc... are visible in the industry, but not as many speakers are present at the table.  

Please join us on the #NSAChat if you have opinions or thoughts on the topic.  Added bonus -- TweetChat.com seems to be back online....which makes participation in a chat much easier.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

Is Your Meeting Focused On The Attendee?

In our busy world we invest time judiciously.  Attending an event is a serious commitment for many professionals, as it will take them out of the office for hours or days.  Nobody participates in a conference, trade show, convention or other business meeting hoping it will waste their time. 

Those who plan meetings are among the hardest working and most dedicated people in the business world. They put in long hours and an extreme level of detail to ensure a positive experience. Nobody organizes an event hoping it will be a waste of time.

The focus of all decisions must be on the "Conference Attendee Experience".  What seems right ahead of time in an office far from the site may not be best for those in the crowd once the event begins.  There are so many small details and little room for error.  Gone are the days of taking last year's agenda and filling in the blanks.

To Have Outstanding Meetings:

Strategize Innovation:  The meetings business is evolving, and there is a lot written about how to recreate the way learning is structured.  People learn differently, and thus having only traditional lecture format keynotes and breakouts is no longer enough.  The agenda needs to have a variety of programs, breaks, networking opportunities, entertainment and downtime built in to the agenda allows for everyone to maximize their experience.  

Organizers should be open to fresh ideas, but not blindly follow the hottest recommendations they read in industry publications.  Each meeting is unique and gathering ideas from committee members, attendees, and vendors is paramount for success.  Brainstorming and strategizing desired outcomes for the event will open up a variety of options.  Speakers and other other activities are nor plug-and-play commodity items.  The same-old/same-old schedule will never create an innovative program.

Nurture Goals:  The event organizers have goals for the meeting, but so do the attendees.  To achieve outstanding events the priorities of those who are going to be in the audience must be understood and prioritized.  People come to conferences for a variety of reasons and humans are complex creatures, thus they do not always clearly articulate their motivation.

Surveys only go so far, and thus you need to be having ongoing dialogues with participants before, during and after the event to gain insight into what impacts their experience.   People will tell you more about what resonates with them when they know you are working to support their goals.  If they believe the host organization has their own agenda, they will shut down and go through the motions.  Your goals have to be synced with their goals, and they have to know it.

Encourage Relationships:   A top reason people attend business or association events is for the "networking opportunities", however once they arrive they often fail to make the type of meaningful relationships they desire.  Creating a culture for better connections at events does not happen by accident.  There must be a commitment that goes beyond the open bar at the Welcome Reception.  People need to be given permission to engage with each other or they will fall into the routine of sitting with co-workers or passing time on their phones or tablets.

Cliques will occur at conferences (as they do in any social situation), and those who attend for years develop their own circles of friends.  But we need to remember that a conference is a mini-society and the social interactions are paramount to the learning.  Many people get the most valuable information from the impromptu "hallway conversations" that occur with others they meet.  If there is little opportunity for people to engage, then the overall experience is limited.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

Bust The Cliques At Association Conferences

Association conferences can be cliquey.  

I know, people claim their meeting is different.  Ice breakers, first-time receptions, and other efforts are made to help people connect.... but human nature being what it is, we end up with cliques.

It is like high school.  There was always a "cool kids table", and those who sat there may have had no idea they were exclusive. This happens at annual gatherings too, as people build friendships over the years and they are so happy to get together that their whole purpose for attending is a mini-reunion with their clique.  This is not bad, as these peer-to-peer friendships help drive attendance, but it can also leave others feeling as if they are on the outside looking inward.

Now, there is also the problem that not everyone will hit it off and be friends.  You cannot force relationships to grow, and sometimes there are just people who are misfits to a group.  But everyone should be able to find their own peeps at an association conference, and those who are long-time members can benefit from seeking out new people to add to their circles.

So what can be done to make the attendees at your event become more inclusive?  Talk about the elephant in the room.  Make connecting it part of your opening ceremonies.  

I belong to an organization that makes a point each year to stress how welcoming their members are to those they do not know.  They praise the big tent / family atmosphere... but is it real?  At the convention two years ago I stood alone for two hours at a reception waiting to see how many people would come talk to me.  Aside from a few friends (who were not aware of my intentional experiment) not one person said hello (and I was trying to look around, make eye contact, and not look creepy).  Then the president stood up and raved about how there are no cliques in this organization.  Ummm, wrong... this group is no different from other associations.

Pretending your members are all seeking and inviting strangers into conversations does not make it real. 

It is better to create a networking culture at a conference, but this does not happen by accident.  You must create an atmosphere that gives people permission to engage.  They want to do it, but it does not happen organically.  Most people cite "networking opportunities" as a main reason for coming to a conference, but their time is spent with co-workers, old friends, and on their phones.

Your speakers are key to getting people to engage.  This does not necessarily mean they must use ice breakers (most ice breakers are lame anyway), but instead they have to be conversational and interactive style that encourages attendees to share with each other.  It is often the "Hallway Conversations" (those serendipitous chats between people) that bring the greatest ROI to the "Conference Attendee Experience".  And yet in the planning stages of an event we often fail to allow for those moments to occur (as in the planning we are focused on content and food!! - both important, by the way).

If you think your event has issues with cliques or simply not enough engagement, there are many things you can do to put a new spark in how people interact.  People are hoping your meeting will be a "happening", as nobody comes seeking "blah".  However, amazing human engagement will not happen by accident.  

If you make networking a second tier priority you will have second tier results.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

"The Meeting Professional" - MPI's Member Magazine

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has recently re-designed their monthly membership magazine. 

The first issue of the new "The Meeting Professional" (Formerly known as "One +", which was before that was known as "The Meeting Professional")  has just been released, and I am honored to have an article in this re-inaugural issue (you can find my article on page 44 of the August 2013 edition:  "Speak Easy:  The right speaker should help build up your mini-society before, during and after the conference").

I will be writing for them semi-regularly, and look forward to creating my next piece for this exciting industry publication.

If you are in the "Meeting Industry" (or even if you are not!) you should check out all the new things they have done with the publication.  It is very impressive.  As an MPI member, I am proud of this magazine!!!

Have A Great Day

thom singer

5 Tips To Maximize The Networking at MPI's WEC 2013

Many of my friends in the Meetings Industry will be in Las Vegas this week for the MPI World Education Conference 2013(WEC).  As a member of MPI (Texas Hill Country Chapter) I had hoped to attend the WEC this year, but my schedule did not permit this to happen.  

WEC is a major event in the Meetings Industry that will be attended by organizers, vendors, speakers, hoteliers, and others who work so hard to make event happen.

While I will not at this conference, I am excited about the theme of the WEC.  "When We Meet, We Change The World" is a powerful theme.... as bringing people together creates opportunities.  Meetings are not just about a ballroom with some interesting speakers, as the purpose of the gathering is the experience of people who attend.  Too often we forget that it is not the content provided to attendees, but the serendipity of what they do when they come together.

If you are going to be at the WEC, here are my top 5 tips for maximizing your networking experience at the event:

1.  Say good-bye to your co-worker once you arrive.  A major mistake made at large conferences is that people cling to those they already know.  They sit with their friends at every meal, and attend all the sessions together.  Better to split up and then come together on occasion to share details of individual experiences. 

This does not mean no contact with your buddies... but do not fall into the trap of being together all the time or you will miss the opportunity to meet new people.

2.  Put your SmartPhone and tablets away during meal, breaks and happy hours.  Most large conferences these days are overrun by the "Phone Zombies".  People who spend every break trying to connect outside the even fail to have any meaningful conversations with those present.  If you must check in with your office, walk outside.  To take your phone out in the networking areas sends a message to those close by that you find your electronics more fascinating than they are (and that is rude).

This does not mean you cannot have your phone out during the speakers presentations.  Take out your phone and tweet or post to Facebook any information you find interesting.  Those of us not at the conference will enjoy sharing in your learning experience. 

ALSO... if the speaker is boring... go ahead and check email or surf the internet.  If the speaker is not engaging enough to keep your attention, they do not deserve your attention!

3.  Be the person to initiate conversations.  People attend these events to meet others, but most are waiting for someone to talk to them.  Some are a bit shy at big events (both introverts and extroverts can clam up in big crowds), and when you say "hello" you can melt their shyness away and kick-start their whole meeting experience.  Once you have a short conversation with someone you will be surprised how often you will cross paths with them again and again at the event.

4.  Bring lots of business cards.  Do not assume anyone will remember your name.  While there are lots of people who want to push us all to use technology in place of a business card, it is often the easiest for everyone to trade the traditional paper cards.  It does not require anyone to have the same apps, and since most people are visual, your will card has a unique look were the new links all look the same. 

Telling someone to look you up on Google or LinkedIn puts the burden on them.  Make it easy for people to connect with you.

5.  Have fun.  When you are having fun people will be drawn to be around you.  This event will have a great mix of learning and social activities... so do not miss out on the festive side of WEC.  Too often people can get so caught up in the business and education that they forget to make the most from talking with other people.  Some of the best learning comes from the impromptu "hallway conversations" you have with other attendees and vendors... and sharing with people is always fun!!!

While there is a lot of "new" ways to connect.... the good old-fashioned face-to-face conversations that take place at meetings is still paramount to business success.  So get out there and talk to each other while in Las Vegas.

I wish I was there with you - See you next year in Minneapolis.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

Meeting Planning: Focus on the "Conference Attendee Experience"

In yesterday's blog post ("The Good-Old Days of Blogging") I mentioned seeking inspiration from reading another person's blog, and then writing more about how that post gets you thinking about a topic.  I knew today I needed to take that action.

A recent post on the ASAE "Associations Now" Blog by Samantha Whitehorne was my muse... it got me excited about the topic of improving meetings (well, I am ALWAYS excited about meetings, conferences, conventions, trade shows.... and ways to make them better!).  Her post, "7 Ways To Make Your Next Conference Great" should be read (and re-read) by all who plan events.  

Jump over and read her post.

The key point, which is mentioned more than once in her article, is that meetings are about the people who attend the event, not the organizations that plan the conferences.  While this sounds elementary, the reality is that it can easily be forgotten when there is a committee involved and decisions are being made around conflicting agendas.

A friend recently attended a conference where the keynote speaker was not very engaging (AKA: Dull).  She mentioned her opinion to the person in charge of the event who responded by saying that "the speaker was very smart, and we were all lucky to hear from him".  Apparently the reality that the audience did not respond well to the presentation did not matter.  That is not good!

All decisions that are made in planning an event (speakers, venue, food choices, entertainment, timing of breaks, etc...) should all be made with the "conference attendee experience" in mind.  I was involved in organizing an event several years ago and too many sessions were planned, so it was suggested that we eliminate coffee breaks.  Could you imagine an event that went from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM with no breaks?  That was not suggested with the audience at the core of the planning.  (This was not the final solution, but heavily considered).

I enjoy working in the meetings industry (yes, being a professional speaker is a direct part of the meetings business!).  I especially like working with planners who think big and seek out ways to shake up the "same old / same /old" traditional ways of organizing meetings.  Just because something was done before, does not mean it needs to continue.  Looking for ways to get people more engaged is exciting, and everyone in the business can have an impact.

What do you think?  Have any input on this topic?  Reach out and contact me.  I love chatting about this stuff.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

Attend Meetings If You Want Opportunity - Stay Home If Not Interested

When attending a conference do not underestimate the power of the human element. There is sometimes a feeling that it is "un-cool" to admit to wanting to network while attending an event, but this is where you find the value at live conferences, trade shows, conventions, and seminars.

When I speak at an event I often am making a case for connecting with people in a social media crazy world.  This is not to undermine the power of digital and mobile tools, but to make sure we do not forget to look others in the eye.  

If the purpose of a meeting was only to gain information then we would not need to convene. While I love experiencing the presentation of a GREAT speaker, those are rare in our day of everyone being an expert (regardless of their ability to speak).  Too few speakers have the ability inspire an audience to learn from their talk.  

Reading a white paper or watching a recorded video on your computer could transmit the data (if learning was the only purpose), but sharing all aspects of a conference with peers is how we find value in meetings.  The serendipity of "hallway conversations" can hardly be duplicated in an online chat box, and is often where people get their deepest learning moments.

While attending the luncheon at a conference recently I had a debate about the power of face-to-face meetings and networking with a guy who was convinced that the day of the meeting was behind us.  He was opinionated, but very well informed.  He was at the event himself, but seemed torn by why others would attend.

Our conversation was a respectful discussion, although we disagreed.  Over the next few days we hung around together often and became friends.  One night in the bar he was telling me how he got his current job (a great one, I might add).  Turns out he met his boss at a conference similar to the one we were attending.  I inquired if it was really a "live meeting" that lead to his dream job?

He smiled and said, "I guess meetings are a thing of the past, except for those who want opportunity".

What a great line: 

Meetings are a thing of the past, except for those who want opportunity.

When you attend you next live event, do not pretend that people do not matter.  Nothing matters more.  Take the time to meet people and get to know them.  You never know what can happen with the right connection.  However, if you do not connect then you can be fairly certain that there will be nothing.

Remember:  All opportunities come from people! 

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

Tech Conferences Are NOT Destroying The World. That Is Just Some Dude Looking For A Catchy Headline!

LinkedIn is promoting a blog post that unfairly points to the Meetings Industry as the root of Global Warming.  Hunter Walk writes "Tech Conferences Are Destroying The World.  I Have A Solution" in which he points to live meetings (actually, live technology focused meetings...which makes me wonder if non-tech meetings cause the same issue or if he just wanted a powerful headline?) as a major cause of climate change, and he wants the conferences themselves to charge an extra fee to buy Carbon Credits to offset the air travel pollution caused by attendees.

Ummmm... this blog post has over 16,000 views as of my writing this here... but it only has 54 likes and 85 comments (because it is ridiculously off base).

Nowhere does he point out that most meetings are local and regional anyway.  Plus, the big national and international conferences draw heavily from their own area, so it is not clear if all attendees should pay for air travel related pollution, or just those who fly to the event. While the industry is working hard to implement many more "green" policies and procedures, Mr. Walks solution is really about something the airline industry should do (adding $100 per ticket for carbon offsets).  While I am not sure either way if this is really a solution, it is not on the back of the meeting to charge this fee.

Mr. Walk fails to give any credit to the positive impact that the meetings industry has on the economy.  The   Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy Study reveals that the U.S. meetings industry directly supports 1.7 million jobs, $263 billion in spending, a $106 billion contribution to GDP, $60 billion in labor revenue, $14.3 billion in federal tax revenue and $11.3 billion in state and local tax revenue.

Yep, those are some big numbers.... but people who pick on the events business never show the value they create, as that takes away the power of a one-sided argument   It is easy to grab headlines when you pretend that meetings are just about the happy hours and beer, but the reality around the value of meetings (to the attendees and the economy) are powerful when you look at the whole picture.  

I am surprised to see LinkedIn promoting an article that wrongly pins the meetings industry as so evil.  While this online networking site is about virtual links, the real value in LinkedIn comes through the live connections that people make and cultivate.  Connections are more than "links", "likes", "shares" and "follows".  (Also, the comments on Mr. Walk's post that encourage only online meetings are silly, too).

Seems I blog often in support of the Meetings Industry, but that is because I am proud to be part of this business.  When people come together (and yes, that can happen online, but this should not discredit live) it is amazing what can happen.  Conferences, trade shows, conventions, and seminars are more likely to spur conversations, connections, ideas, and actions that will save the world (rather than destroy it).  Just saying!

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Association Meeting Ideas for Local Chapters

Many of us belong to local chapters of national associations.  These area groups are often the life-line between the large national headquarters and the local members.  The annual meeting might be a great event to network and be seen, but not everyone can attend. 

Time, travel and money can keep some members from getting to the big events, and thus the local monthly gatherings are how many stay connected to the organizations they support.

However, the success of the local meetings can be hit or miss.  Some fall short of expectations for many in the membership.  Too often local chapters get stale and have the same format month in and month out.  It is not uncommon for the much of the target audience to develop a pre-conceived idea of what to expect from every local gathering.  When this happens it can taint the expectations and key members simply stop attending.

Local chapters of any national organizations can spark-up the meetings that local members attend, but only if those in charge are willing to think beyond the status quo.  It takes an investment of time (and sometimes money), but the end result will be a better educational and networking experience for everyone involved. Creating awesome local chapter meetings will drive membership and participation numbers and people will spread the word about the entire organization.

Three Tips For Better Local Chapter Meetings

1.  Change the format.  A luncheon with a speaker is the standard for a chapter meeting.  The format is often 30 minutes of networking with an hour for announcements and a talk by someone who is willing to speak without being paid.  Little attention is focused on how good the speaker is at presenting.  Instead the idea is on their title, company or topic.  

Too often little at these meetings serve the needs of the members.  The same agenda at the same location every time with a cookie cutter approach to speakers and your group is doomed to being dull.

Try exchanging lunch for some evening or morning events and host a special social reception at least once per year.  Additionally, create an advisory board of your most important members and have a dinner for them twice a year so that they can share best practices they see in other groups they participate in around your city.  This VIP dinner will also be the opportunity for you to discover what they would like to see in the future. The more ideas you hear, the better chance you will have of discovering new concepts that will work for your organization.

2.  Get great speakers.  This does NOT mean getting a list of local executives who have done cool things and inviting them to speak.  Instead, find people who not only have good experience, but that also are seasoned speakers. Speaking is a skill, and not everyone belongs on your stage.  

At least twice a year get special sponsors and bring in a speaker from out of town (and pay their fee).  Try to hire someone who will provide information and entertainment, and use the meeting as a recruitment tool.  I regularly hear from groups who say it is not possible to raise money for a special speaker, but I see other groups do this successfully year after year.  It takes effort to find the perfect speaker and to raise the money, but when done right it will have a lasting impact.

If you usually have industry specialists speak, try getting someone from a different field of expertise once a year.  Make one or more of your meetings a panel discussion.  Do not be afraid of getting an author or professional speaker from outside your industry, as their point of view might be just what your audience needs.  

It is also a good idea to have one meeting without a speaker, and let the audience share their thoughts.  Your members are experts, give them the chance to be heard.  But this will require a good facilitator who can keep the meeting running smoothly and limit any one person from dominating the conversation.  These types of town hall conversations can make more people feel included and the power of the information will surprise you.

3.  Host an event in someones home.  Many groups meet in hotel ballrooms or restaurant private dining areas.  While these are the best options for most regular meetings, hosting a special holiday reception or other VIP event at the home of a member can create a unique experience.  Parties in a private home have a more intimate feel than those in traditional venues, and this allows people to bond in a different and more casual manner.

If someone on your board is willing to host a special event, the organization can take care of the catering and hiring servers to help with clean up, etc....  You may want to limit such an event to members only or otherwise have a VIP event where it is invite only, but this type of special meeting can create a one of a kind evening.

Trying new things is the only way to keep your local chapter fresh.  If your organization is always following the same calendar, your members might find your agenda boring.  Boring meetings are never remembered.  If all your events are quickly forgotten, you members might forget to renew when it is time for their dues to be paid.

Trying new meeting formats involves some risk.  But risk is part of success.  If you are willing to shake things up, in the long run you will have a better organization that will attract new members.  If you are stale, you know what happens (and it is not good).

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Business Analysis for Meetings

As the meetings industry continues to face new pressures, there is more need for business analysis to be embraced by planners. Business analysis is a research discipline of identifying business needs and determining solutions to business problems. Solutions often include a systems development component, but may also consist of process improvement, organizational change or strategic planning and policy development.  In regards to meetings this must be also aligned with the needs of the people who are participating, not just the wants of the organizers.

Business Analysis does not happen by accident.  There must be purposeful actions taken withing the organizational structure.  The planner's goals for change must be aligned with the business goals of the conference, but also must always place a high emphasis on the "conference attendee experience".

There is a sea change happening in meetings.  No longer is the "cookie cutter" meeting format enough to satisfy participants.  People want meetings to have their own unique flair, but this means that copy-cat meeting design, even when using new methodologies for learning, will not hit the mark.

Seeking help for your meeting is important.  There are many consultants who specialize in pushing planners beyond their comfort zone, and the results can be very engaging.

Getting your team on-board early in the identification of what makes your conference unique and working to project ways to engage your audience will lead to better results.  The old way of agenda based planning will no longer work.  Filling in speakers to open slots is not enough.

Additionally, a speaker who is simply an expert can leave the audience board.  Certainly we expect those who present to provide content, but the speakers skill to include the audience in the presentation is not longer a "nice-to-have" --- it is a "must have"!

Annual meetings have to institute continual process assessment and document the areas where the conference has succeeded and failed.  Learning and growing year over year is the only way to improve.  There is a lot of competition for the attendees time and money, thus they are seeking the highest ROI in deciding where to be present.

Making a business case for advancements in your meeting structure is necessary for success. You have to dislodge the sacred cows.  Too many stakeholders are risk adverse, and often fall back on the status quo.  But it is not a bad thing to shake up the meeting format, and when done with purpose it can engage people more than keeping things the same each time.

When you take an informed chance on trying something new, people are very forgiving.  Let attendees know your how you came to the conclusions for attempting the change, and make them part of the process.  Even if an experiment fails, people are more likely to be accepting when they understand the steps that went into the creation of the event.

If your conference looks exactly the same as it has for several years, then you are overdue for analysis of your format, business structure and agenda.

Congregate your improvement team to scope out the possibilities and prepare the business case to make changes.  To minimize risk, include people from the business, planning, finance, and attendee circles and brief everyone as to the desired working relationship.  Successful brainstorming involves trust from all parties, and an understanding that all ideas are welcome.

It can also be a good idea to include vendors, including speakers, in your analysis structure, as they often see a variety of other conferences in their work and can bring a fresh outside perspective.

Document the strengths and weaknesses of your past events and record the areas that are most ready for change.  Clarify your objectives and focus on what you are willing to change, and what you are not willing to touch.  Change is good, but not simply for the sake of change!

All of us who work in the meetings industry need to give a closer look at our products and services and seek ways to bring more to the table for the participants.  Planners, hoteliers, speakers, designers, entertainment, etc.....  Everyone has to be under constant business analysis and seeking solutions.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

 Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

Apps and Games - How Do They Impact Your Conference? (and How Will They Impact The Future?)

Gamification is hot topic in the meetings industry.  We all want our conferences to be more fun and engaging, and thus mobile apps have become an attractive option to get people playing. When people share experiences they establish bonds, and that is what live events are all about (human-to-human interaction).

I am a fan and user of technology, and the right tool can be amazing (I find anytime I am critical of anything "tech" there are those who think I want to return to the horse and buggy.. NOT TRUE).  However, if thirty people at a conference of one thousand participants play the mobile app scavenger hunt game, there is some question to whether the utilization of the app is a "rousing success". 

Several conferences introduce apps for gamification and other purposes, only to have a majority of participants ignore the fun.  Many people do not play, and thus it is not a real community activity.  Then the organizers use Jedi mind tricks on the audience ("These are not the droids you are looking for") telling the crowd how successful the game has been in creating community.  But when people are not playing the game (or outwardly mocking it in the hallways), it is not really useful.  The use of technology or gamification are not magical solutions to the age-old issue of getting people engaged while at an event.

Community is not something one can force upon attendees... it either evolves at the event or it does not.... and a only a few people playing a mobile scavenger hunt will not impact the overall vibe.

Should we not have apps or games at conferences?  God no...that is NOT what I am saying.  We should use implement technology.  We must experiment with new ideas or nothing will ever change.  But do not stand up and talk about how great it is when an audience thinks it is a silly waste of time or difficult to navigate.  Treat it with honesty and get proper feedback on why people did or did not engage.  

I recently attended an event where their app was the "star" of the show in the eyes of the organizers..... but the attendees found it hard to use, did not like the registration process, and ignored the games.  When I asked people how they liked the app they shrugged.  Nobody wanted to admit the app was a flop, but it had no impact on the event.

We all miss the boat when we do anything that takes the spotlight off the people in the audience.  Falling in love with technology over the the "conference attendee experience" is a mistake that can easily be made when planning an event. Is it not ironic that we ask people to network with each other and then plunge them into their phones at every break?

What are your thoughts on conference apps, games, and other shiny new tech?  Where are they working... or not working?  How will they be better in the future?

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

Events Can Change The World

When people gather together at a live event they share ideas.  That is when the good stuff happens.

A conference, trade show, convention or other meetings are built around venues, agendas, speakers, and information.... but the real power happens in the "Hallway Conversations" that spontaneously occur between attendees.  While content matters, the content alone is not enough to create memorable experiences.

When planning a conference, sponsoring the event, or delivering a keynote speech, all of us who work in the meeting industry must remember that our work efforts can help connect people and thus we have a material impact on their life, career, company, industry or the whole world.

Does this sounds like a lot of responsibility?  It can be.  Connecting people brings with it opportunity. Many people are longing to find the right people with whom they can create their own path toward success. But we now have so much "noise" in our society, that developing real relationships seems to be getting more difficult.  The internet, social media, smart phone and other tools are creating distractions that are limiting the ability to notice those seated next to us.

Meetings are often undervalued and stereo-typically misunderstood. Too many meetings are designed so similarly that we cannot see the differences when looking at the online agendas.  We easily forget that each conference is unique because of the different mix of people who attend, not who is the keynote speaker.  Even two events in the same industry are not the same.  The value is not in the content, but instead it is those seated in the chairs. The power of meetings is in the people... and it is people who can change the world.

As you plan your next event, do not champion the celebrities or industry gurus who populate the stage. Speakers are important, as they set the tone for the whole event (a crappy speaker can suck the energy out of your conference so fast it can never recover).  But do not mistake those on stage to be the stars of your show.  The spotlight must be on the participants, and in today's highly competitive meetings business you have to discover ways to let the audience know they are the ones that matter.  Partner with the keynote and breakout speakers to empower the crowd to build upon what they hear from those presenting and take it to the next level.  

Encourage people to not let the lessons of your conference to end with the final good-byes, but to take the messages forward and have impact on the future.  It can happen!  Your conference can change the world.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

Successful Events Are About More Than Flawless Execution

The Minnesota Chapter of Meeting Professionals International hosted a full day of learning called iConnect.  I had the honor of being the kick-off keynote and the "Conference Catalyst", but also was able to sit in on several educational breakout sessions.

Doug Chorpenning from the Wet Paint Group hosted an interesting discussion called "Don't Put Your Event Before Your Brand".

His talk was thought provoking, as it pointed out that logistics are not enough for planners. Below is a mix of his shared ideas combined with my own two cents:

Event participants expect more for the conferences they attend than just flawless execution.  They want an experience.  

Logistics are a commodity, but we had to do everything we can to de-commoditize events.  Everyone involved in the creation and delivery of events needs to be part of creating the story, long before they show up on site.  Everything from the venue to the design of the invitation to the online registration system is part of the ambiance. (This couples with my belief that speakers are more than vendors hired to fill a slot, but instead partners in all aspects of the event!).

Those who are truly creative create things out of nothing, and planners need to always be thinking creatively, not simply building upon the same old / same old template.  Listening to clients and being willing to invest in the right people, vendors, and materials is paramount to success.  Yes, it can cost more money, but you cannot "Free" yourself into "Amazing".  To create a "happening" you have to do things the audience does not expect.  

Take a look at what people and companies in other industries are doing and seek ways to bring their use of creative technology into your event.  Only looking at other conferences for inspiration brings about more of the "Cookie Cutter" events.

Social Media no longer seems "new", but the truth is that it is less than ten years old.  Discovering new ways to use these tools is still possible.  The key is to remember that the most successful social media platforms are all visually based: Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, etc....  Be sure you materials are appealing to look at, and create compelling content that goes beyond the verbal and written if you want to reach the heart of your audience.

Be willing to try new things, and understand that it is okay if not everything works.  Without risk there is little reward.  People are forgiving when they know you are blazing new trails with their best interests as your motivation.  You must be willing to experiment.

Tie your blog and other social media tools to the posts of your speakers, vendors, attendees, etc... Make it a community, not simply a way of you to push your message.  Encourage all those who are partners to promote your event before, during and after the actual dates.

Remembering to put the experience of attendees at the forefront of all that you do in planning events is the way to getting out of the logistics mode and breaking out into the creative vista that we all crave to be a part.  

The best planners I know have the right mix of detail orientation and big picture dreaming (You cannot be a successful event planner without an eye for detail!), but if you only cared about the logistics, your event might be blah (and nobody is seeking to attend blah!).

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com