-Facility designers, builders, owners, management cos., and all staff (incl. AV — Midori excepted of course!) would learn about learning — even about using space and the impact it has on input and outcomes. (Paul Radde’s book is a good start — at http://www.thrival.com)

Ms. Eisenstodt, it was refreshing to see this wish as it has been our experience that most facilities are not interested in learning about additional space options! I own a software company that develops room layout software for the event/meeting industry and one of our goals is to educate planners and facilities about the many options to setup a space. We also want to ensure that they have the latest tools to easily plan and organize a space accurately and efficiently.

We do not consider ourselves as simply a supplier but that we are here to help the industry that we love. Our company constantly strives to keep the software up to date with the latest event industry changes. We purchased Dr. Radde’s book and found his suggestions very logical and helpful. It is our hope to work with him more in the future to further educate the industry on other options than just “straight seating”.

We are also very committed to continuing education for the event/meeting industry so we have developed “Room Layout 101” that is being taught in some meeting planning workshops around the country. We are going through our revisions now and would love to expand this coursework and gather feedback to include additional options. I would be open to any suggestions and ideas to help in anyway.

Thank you,
Ann Puckett
annpuckett@qesoftware.com
(This is not intended as an advertisement in any way)

I think we need to go out and infect a bunch of other people with enthusiasm for #1. Then, get them to agree to participate in or contribute to #2. The question is what is the best way to do it.

I simply refuse to attend any event that doesn’t include at least some interactive elements, nor will I speak at any event where the constraints on facilitating learning are too significant.

So I’m ready to convert your #1 and #2 wishes into demands. Wishing doesn’t seem to be working.

Thanks for your comments. I like your wishes. I think we can tackle these as well.

For number 3 – the presentation technology – I think this could be resolved with an awareness campaign digital/other. It would make most sense to come from an A/V or production company. I know a few people that might want to take this on – I will talk to them.

For number 2, most people agree that this is a big black hole. Last September, at Event Camp Twin Cities, we took some first steps in tackling this discussion. First, we had a discussion about it during the event and got more than 100 ideas from attendees. Then, we repurposed all of the content (videos, photos, summary documents) from the event and redistributed it to attendees, virtual attendees and other likeminds on several different blogs/communities. We are writing a case study on the results right now. This is just a first step – we still have a lot of work to do.

For number 5, this is a great point. I think the engagement, experience, learning, networking and change process all go hand in hand. I think you tackle it at the strategy level.

Finally, here’s my take on number 1. I think hybrid and virtual technology will lead us to more focused meetings (smaller sizes) and fewer one-size-fits-all-mega-meetings. Before this happens on a macro scale – we have to figure out the “virtual attendee engagement” piece. Right now, this whole area is still very experimental. I have some data and experience on how it can work – but we need more people talking, thinking and experimenting with it.

Thanks for your comments. I will be in touch about the innovation lab. Several people are interested.

The spacing on my comment above is off. Can you fix it?

Thanks,

Jeff

1. I wish the meetings industry would take a hard look at whether we
really need so many meetings. (Heresy, I know, but a necessary
process of self-examination for a variety of reasons I need not
detail here.)

2. I wish the meetings industry would place greater emphasis on making it easier to sustain the flow of learning and knowledge after the F2F event ends. (The value of meetings would be enhanced if their impact rippled back to the organization of their attendees.)

3. I wish the meetings industry would work on the economics of presentation technology so that speakers can use the best tools easily. (As a speaker, I’m tired of begging for wireless lav microphones. We can do better.)

4. I wish the meetings industry would discourage alcohol consumption. (I’m no teetotaler, but I see a great deal of drinking at the conferences I attend, and it makes
me wonder just how important learning is to the organizers.)

5. I wish the meetings industry would embrace the same level of innovation in the attendee experience as we have seen in the hotel guest experience over the last several years. (Sam, I would totally be up for contributing to some kind of innovation lab. Let’s chat!)

The result of an engagement like PCMA is that you not only help on the strategy part, but you have to deliver on the tactics and details too.