Comments on: 20 Reasons Delegates Attend Conferences

By: How to Save Attendees from Networking Hell « Interactive Meeting Technology

How to Save Attendees from Networking Hell « Interactive Meeting Technology — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:53:21 +0000

[…] post 20 Reasons Delegates Attend Conferences uncovered several “specific” attendee networking objectives. In many cases, I think these […]

By: Midcourse Corrections » Blog Archive » Is Social The New Conference Black & Are Attendee Lists The New Allure?

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:36:05 +0000

[…] the blog Interactive Meeting Technology, Samuel J. Smith discusses 20 Reasons People Attend Conferences. He lists typical reasons why people attend conferences. Several others have added to that list […]

By: samueljsmith

samueljsmith — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:13:53 +0000

Joan, those are juicy topics!

You ask a great question – WILL participants use ALL the technology? the short answer is NO they WILL NOT and NO they SHOULD not. The technology choices need to be aligned with the meeting objectives. You need to select the right tool for the job – just the same way that you select a drill to make a round hole and a hammer to put a nail in wood.

In general, I agree with you that adoption rates for tech (and new event formats) have been lower than they should be. I think that some people just keep doing more of the same each year, because it is easy. Also, I don’t think that the juicy case studies from these new tech and non-tech tools are getting in front of everyone.

Ok – I have a lot more to say about this but I have to run. hope this helps!

– Sam

By: samueljsmith

samueljsmith — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:30:41 +0000

Hi Cynthia,

Personal Roaming Sounding Board, I like the ring of that. I believe that networking is better when we have something specific to discuss. I wonder if the shy people would feel more comfortable talking if the networking time was a structured as Personal Roaming Sounding Board time?

Also, I like your point about the “right people.” I can see how this would vary not only by participant type – but by individual.

Thanks again for the comments and sharing this post on twitter!

– Sam

By: Joan Eisenstodt

Joan Eisenstodt — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:30:04 +0000

“Action labs” perhaps — and also, if you’ve read Dan Pink’s “A Whole New Mind”,you’ll see examples of how art and other “cultcha” can broaden one’s POV. Our right brains need to be fed esp. at technical conferences.

By: Joan Eisenstodt

Joan Eisenstodt — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:28:08 +0000

WILL participants use all the technology, Sam? I have seen so little being done. MPI started the Wiki some years ago; MPI, PCMA, ASAE and others have all the cool stuff in place for the ‘annual’ meetings – and for other times – and few use them. I see even fewer use them from corps. & other professions associations.
That said, I’m also not seeing evidence that organizations, in and outside the hospitality/meetings industry,listen and pick up on the daily issues that could then be part of some neat topics — even ‘just in time’ or unconference-y discussions.
More in other posts to what you wrote about things sounding motivational.

By: Cynthia D'Amour

Cynthia D'Amour — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:49:42 +0000

I agree with you Deirdre re creating the space in one’s mind to play with ideas and also be stimulated to springboard to even bigger ideas.

I like to use some meetings as a personal roaming sounding board. I can try ideas on a few folks, makes some adjustments and try out next version on new people.

When events have the cool element I’ll ask myself how to apply elements or lessons learned it to whatever idea I’m playing with as well.

Access to the right people can add a lot of meeting value for me – and the “right people” may vary based upon what I’m working on, playing with – or looking to learn.

Thanks for starting the list and launching the conversation Sam!

Cynthia

By: samueljsmith

samueljsmith — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:21:21 +0000

Hi Dierdre,

You make a really good point about separating yourself from the daily churn of email, phone calls and last-minute items. These items can distract us from looking at the world in a new way and coming up with breakthrough solutions.

Thanks for commenting! this is great!

– Sam

By: samueljsmith

samueljsmith — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:15:56 +0000

Cool! thanks Julius. Don’t forget to add the additional 10 items from the other commenters!!

– Sam

By: samueljsmith

samueljsmith — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:14:42 +0000

Hi Jeffrey,

Great point about the “new person.” Their segment of the audience will naturally be more attracted to the content than an SME, industry veteran or influencer type person. You are making me think that creating audience profiles and mapping social/learning needs to those profiles would help develop a more customized event.

In your alternative formats for delivering content would you allocate chunks of time to help people make connections, share information, listen to one another and collaborate? Or do you see the new formats being specifically for content delivery?

Thanks for your input! I appreciate it.

– Sam