<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Interactive Meeting Technology &#187; Meeting Tech Trends</title>
	<atom:link href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/tag/meeting-tech-trends/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com</link>
	<description>Attendee Engagement for Events</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 30 Aug 2018 15:51:12 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.38</generator>
	<item>
		<title>The Future of Meetings: Are You My Mother?</title>
		<link>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/the-future-of-meetings-are-you-my-mother/</link>
		<comments>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/the-future-of-meetings-are-you-my-mother/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Samuel J Smith]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[other]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[#WEC10]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[attendees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Audience Engagement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[collaboration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conferences]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[future of events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meeting design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meeting Tech Trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[virtual participants]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://interactivemeetingtechnology.com/?p=1766</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>The Future of Meetings was a hot topic at the MPI World Education Conference this week. While there was a lot of discussion around the topic &#8211; the answer was not so easy to pin down. At times, I felt like the baby bird searching for his mother in P.D. Eastman’s Story “Are You My [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/the-future-of-meetings-are-you-my-mother/">The Future of Meetings: Are You My Mother?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/are_you_my_mother1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1769" title="are_you_my_mother" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/are_you_my_mother1.jpg?w=211" alt="Are You My Mother?" width="211" height="300" /></a>The Future of Meetings was a hot topic at the MPI World Education Conference this week. While there was a lot of discussion around the topic &#8211; the answer was not so easy to pin down.  At times, I felt like the baby bird searching for his mother in P.D. Eastman’s Story “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Are_You_My_Mother">Are You My Mother</a>.”</p>
<h4>Is &#8220;Technology&#8221; the Future of Meetings?</h4>
<p>The topic of the future of meetings sends some people flying toward technology. This was evidenced by the thousands of attendees that flocked to the many technology sessions to learn about the latest whizbangs and strategies. This was evidenced by the paperless program, the Mobile apps and the Pathable community.</p>
<p>So, it’s technology right? Smartphones and that kind of stuff. Um, not exactly.</p>
<h4>Is “Environment” the Future of Meetings?</h4>
<p>The topic of the future of meetings sends others into the “better room layout” and “environment” corner. Joan Eisenstodt, for example, wants pictures on the walls, natural light and flexible space. When she says that many in the crowd nod with approval. Some cheer. Venue Executives mumble profanities. While others would just be happy if the  room setup would match the session. “Rounds in the general session room? What’s that all about,” asks one attendee.</p>
<p>So, it’s environment right? Redesign the conference centers OR match the room setup to the needs. That must be the future of meetings. Um, not exactly.</p>
<h4>Is “Content” the Future of Meetings?</h4>
<p>The topic of the future of meetings sends others into the “content” corner. These people are talking about content delivery, interactive formats, learning styles, objectives, discovery, etc. They say less time listening to boring speakers and more time interacting in an informal learning environment. When someone says more collaboration and interaction &#8211; groups of people start whooping and hollering Texas style. Speakers scratch their heads and ask if better hand gestures would help.</p>
<p>So, it’s content right? Use more collaborative formats. Get people out of chairs and writing on white boards. Um, not exactly.</p>
<h4>Is “Attendee Experience” the Future of Meetings?</h4>
<p>The topic of the future of meetings gets others talking about attendee experience. It’s about putting the attendee at the center of the event. Ruud Janssen says that we need to think about it like “100 events for 100 people.”  Another person talks about interviewing “professional attendees” &#8211; the conference road warriors &#8211; and using their needs as the model for how these experiences could work.</p>
<p>So, it’s attendee experience right? Design events with the attendee in mind. Um, not exactly.</p>
<h4>Is “Storytelling” the Future of Meetings?</h4>
<p>The topic of the future of meetings gets others talking about storytelling. It’s about narrative and personas they say.  They talk about the strong characters in movies and books that we identify with. They talk about the dilemmas created in good vs. evil situations. They continue on with more stuff that is over our heads &#8211; but sounds good. Many nod in approval.</p>
<p>So, it’s storytelling right? We just hire a scriptwriter create good characters, put Bruce MacMillan in a flying harness and get Stephen Spielberg to show us how to produce the stuff. Um, not exactly.</p>
<h4>Is “Inspiration” the Future of Meetings?</h4>
<p>The keynote speakers from the Opening General Session will tell you that the future of meetings is about passion and inspiring people to become part of something greater than themselves. They will site examples of people coming from remarkable circumstances that you couldn’t ever imagine to do something extraordinary. Since, we are all amazed &#8211; we nod with approval and donate $20.</p>
<p>So, it’s inspiration right? We find someone or something that inspires us &#8211; like Bruce Willis or the A-team.  Then we book them for our next event. That’s the ticket! Um, not exactly.</p>
<h4>Is “Outside the Industry” the Future of Meetings?</h4>
<p>The topic of the future of events gets others to talk about looking outside our industry for the answer. Looking for inspiration in art, in movies, in design, in Farmville, in nature and in space. Or was it in <a href="http://mashable.com/2010/07/15/old-spice-stats/">Oldspice</a>? Regardless, asking <strong>ourselves</strong> what the Future of Meetings looks like &#8211; doesn’t help &#8211; because we all have the similar answers.  As we hear this point of view, we nod again.</p>
<p>So, it’s looking outside ourselves right? We watch a few OldSpice commercials, play Farmville and &#8220;friend&#8221; that Zuckerberg dude who created Facebook &#8211; then we will know the future of events. Right? Um, not exactly.</p>
<h4>So what is the Future of Meetings?</h4>
<p>Well, if the future of meetings is not technology or space or content or attendee experience or inspiration or outside factors &#8211; then what is it?</p>
<p>I have no idea. I just can tell you that it is not ONE of those factors &#8211; it is all of them. As far as I can tell that is the conclusion drawn from the MPI World Education Conference.</p>
<p><strong>What do you think our future meetings and events will look like? or what do they need to look like?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http://interactivemeetingtechnology.com/2010/07/27/the-future-of-meetings-are-you-my-mother/&amp;source=samueljsmith"><img style="border:0 initial initial;" src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://interactivemeetingtechnology.com/2010/07/27/the-future-of-meetings-are-you-my-mother/" alt="" width="51" height="61" /></a></p>
<p class="getsocial" style="text-align:left;"><a title="Like This!" rel="nofollow" href="http://getsociallive.com/gslike.php?likeurl=http%3A%2F%2Finteractivemeetingtechnology.com%2F2010%2F07%2F27%2Fthe-future-of-meetings-are-you-my-mother%2F&amp;liketitle=The%20Future%20of%20Meetings%3A%20Are%20You%20My%20Mother%3F" target="_blank"><img style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://getsocialserver.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/gslk4.png" alt="Like This!" width="49" height="23" /></a></p>
<p><em>Note: I did receive partial registration reduction for agreeing to participate in the Social Media Guru program at MPI&#8217;s World Education Conference. </em></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/the-future-of-meetings-are-you-my-mother/">The Future of Meetings: Are You My Mother?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/the-future-of-meetings-are-you-my-mother/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Inspiration for Your Shiny New Event App</title>
		<link>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/inspiration-for-your-shiny-new-event-app/</link>
		<comments>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/inspiration-for-your-shiny-new-event-app/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Apr 2010 21:45:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Samuel J Smith]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mobile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[attendees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digital Now]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[future of events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[iPhone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[March Madness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meet Different 2010]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meeting Tech Trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mobile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mobile technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MPI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MTO Summit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Olympics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[smart phones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://interactivemeetingtechnology.com/?p=1555</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Over the past few months, I have been collecting smart phone apps that I think are doing &#8220;cool&#8221; and &#8220;innovative&#8221; things in my inspiration folder. While I haven&#8217;t found any &#8220;event&#8221; app that seems to pull everything together in &#8220;just the right way&#8221; &#8211; I have found several event apps that are worth checking out. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/inspiration-for-your-shiny-new-event-app/">Inspiration for Your Shiny New Event App</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/app_examples1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1558" title="app_examples" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/app_examples1.jpg?w=150" alt="application examples" width="150" height="112" /></a>Over the past few months, I have been collecting smart phone apps that I think are doing &#8220;cool&#8221; and &#8220;innovative&#8221; things in my inspiration folder.</p>
<p>While I haven&#8217;t found any &#8220;event&#8221; app that seems to pull everything together in &#8220;just the right way&#8221; &#8211; I have found several event apps that are worth checking out. In fact, if you could mash the best elements of these apps together &#8211; you could have an awesome event app. Today, I want to share a few of these apps with you.</p>
<p>Without further ado, here are five event apps. that I hope provide you a little inspiration.</p>
<h4>Vancouver Olympics 2010</h4>
<p><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/vanolymp.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1561" title="VanOlymp" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/vanolymp.jpg" alt="" width="90" height="82" /></a></p>
<p><strong>&gt; Which Event:</strong> 2010 Vancouver Olympics</p>
<p><strong>&gt; What does it do: </strong>This app was designed to be an Olympics guide that fit into the palm of your hand. It provided a real time schedule of events that was searchable and sortable by venue, date, event type, etc. It used the phone&#8217;s geo-position capability to help users find their way to venues, etc. Finally, there was a live Medal scoreboard and news stream that helped you stay on top of the latest news.</p>
<p><strong>&gt; Why is it a source of inspiration:</strong> I thought the user interface was innovative and well done on this application. While I was writing this post, I learned that if you shake the phone while the app is on &#8211; it will show you different videos. Cool. (Don&#8217;t ask me why I was shaking my iphone!)</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/vanolym_screen.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1567" title="VANOLYM_SCREEN" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/vanolym_screen.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="322" /></a></p>
<h4>Meet Different 2010</h4>
<p><strong><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/md10.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1563" title="MD10" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/md10.jpg" alt="" width="90" height="79" /></a>&gt; Which Event: </strong>Meeting Professionals Internationl&#8217;s North American Education Conference (called Meet Different)</p>
<p><strong>&gt; What does it do:</strong> This app provided a real time schedule, links to social tools, speaker profiles, etc. Some of the same stuff as above.</p>
<p><strong>&gt; Why is it a source of inspiration:</strong> I liked how this application bridged the social applications (Twitter, Pathable community, etc.) into the application.</p>
<h4>March Madness on Demand</h4>
<p><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/mmod.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1564" title="MMOD" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/mmod.jpg" alt="" width="85" height="80" /></a><strong>&gt; Which Event:</strong><span style="font-weight:normal;"> 2010 NCAA College Basketball Tournament</span></p>
<p><strong>&gt; What does it do:</strong> This app provided a status update on all games, streamed the radio broadcasts and live video broadcasts from the games. Also, it linked personalized content just for me on the NCAA hoops website. Finally, the application sent me notifications that told me when games were close OR when a potential upset was about to happen.</p>
<p><strong>&gt; Why is it a source of inspiration:</strong> The live video and alerts (also called push notifications) were awesome here! You could select different types of alerts that you wanted to receive. Then the application would send you these little &#8220;heads up messages.&#8221; I think this could be a useful way to send attendees special update messages like “You better get to the lobby! The bus is leaving in 10 minutes.”</p>
<p><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/cbs_mmod_notifications.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1569" title="CBS_MMOD_NOTIFICATIONS" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/cbs_mmod_notifications.jpg" alt="NOTIFICATIONS SCREEN" width="200" height="300" /></a></p>
<h4>MTO Summit Chicago</h4>
<p><strong><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/mtosummit.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1565" title="MTOSummit" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/mtosummit.jpg" alt="" width="87" height="77" /></a>&gt; Which Event:</strong> Meeting TechOnline Summit Chicago</p>
<p><strong>&gt; What does it do: </strong>This app provided a schedule for the event, personalized schedule, link to speaker profiles, exhibitor information, session feedback forms, twitter stream and the exhibitor guide.</p>
<p><strong>&gt; Why is it a source of inspiration: </strong>The personalized schedule was very useful. I could select different sessions from the event and include them in my schedule. It was very easy to do and I could see how it would simplify life at larger, more complex events. Also, this application had surveys and feedback forms embedded in the schedule. Having paperless feedback forms rather than paper made it easy to complete the forms and submit them &#8211; like 1-2-3.</p>
<h4>Digital Now</h4>
<p><strong><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/dignow.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1566" title="DigNow" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/dignow.jpg" alt="" width="88" height="79" /></a>&gt; Which Event:</strong> Digital Now Conference</p>
<p><strong>&gt; What does it do:</strong> This app provided an agenda, speaker profiles, video case studies, partner information, linkedin and twitter integration, ability to send feedback to organizer and the ability to record audio notes.</p>
<p><strong>&gt; Why is it a source of inspiration:</strong> I really enjoyed the video case studies. It seemed that the videos were embedded in the application when I downloaded it. I didn’t have to connect to some other place etc. This was a great thing. Also, the links to the social sites (twitter and linkedin) allowed me to engage right away from the application.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/dig_now_vids.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1571" title="dig_now_vids" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/dig_now_vids.jpg" alt="Digital Now Video Case Study Screen" width="339" height="227" /></a></p>
<h4>Bottom Line</h4>
<p>Hopefully this post gives you a good idea of some of the creative things that other events are doing with their smart phone apps. I am sure that this is just the tip of the iceberg. I imagine that there are many more interesting ideas out there as well.</p>
<p>What other “event focused apps” would you recommend event organizers consider for inspiration? What other features would you like to see in these apps?</p>
<p><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http://interactivemeetingtechnology.com/2010/04/30/inspiration-for-your-shiny-new-event-app/&amp;source=samueljsmith"><img style="border:0 initial initial;" src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://interactivemeetingtechnology.com/2010/04/30/inspiration-for-your-shiny-new-event-app/" alt="" width="51" height="61" /></a></p>
<p><em>(PS &#8211; For those of you that would like to debate the validity of smart phone apps vs handheld devices for events &#8212; hold your horses &#8212; that will be another post. Save your ammunition and check back in a few days.)</em></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/inspiration-for-your-shiny-new-event-app/">Inspiration for Your Shiny New Event App</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/inspiration-for-your-shiny-new-event-app/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Is Your Mingle Stick Poken Attendees in the BeLinker</title>
		<link>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/is-your-mingle-stick-poken-attendees-in-the-belinker/</link>
		<comments>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/is-your-mingle-stick-poken-attendees-in-the-belinker/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:19:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Samuel J Smith]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mobile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Audience Engagement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BeLinker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BusyEvent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conferences]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[delegates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[future of events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interaction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LivingTradeshow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meeting Tech Trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MIngle Stick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[participants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Poken]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://interactivemeetingtechnology.com/?p=1463</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>In his book Here Comes Everybody Clay Shirky writes &#8211; “If you give them more of a reason to do something, they will do more of it, and if you make it easier to do more of something that they are already inclined to do, they will also do more of it.” Shirky came to [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/is-your-mingle-stick-poken-attendees-in-the-belinker/">Is Your Mingle Stick Poken Attendees in the BeLinker</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In his book Here Comes Everybody Clay Shirky writes &#8211; “<em>If you give them more of a reason to do something, they will do more of it, and if you make it easier to do more of something that they are already inclined to do, they will also do more of it.</em>”</p>
<p>Shirky came to mind when I heard that 3,000 attendees at an HR Block conference exchanged 153,000 digital business cards and 15,000 paperless brochures using the <a href="http://www.busyevent.com/eventbookmarking/index.html" target="_blank">Busy Event BeLinker</a>. (<a href="http://www.busyevent.com/blog/?p=250" target="_blank">Case</a>)</p>
<p><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/busyevent_hrblock-034.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1484" title="Busy Event HR Block" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/busyevent_hrblock-034.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>The BeLinker must be dead simple for attendees to understand and use.  When I talked with Brian Slawin of Busy Event recently, I asked him &#8211; how did you get so many people to use it?</p>
<p>Brian emphasized three things:</p>
<ol>
<li>The organizer sent attendees emails telling them about the new technology.</li>
<li>Attendees had a demonstration &amp; short activity at the beginning to introduce people to the tech and let them try it.</li>
<li>They had a support area for attendees with questions.</li>
</ol>
<p>The Message: Simple is Good &#8211; but so is making sure that attendees feel comfortable with the technology.</p>
<h4>Wait! Wait! There’s More!</h4>
<p>While Busy Event has a great case &#8211; several similar technologies have entered the market in the past 15 months. Here are some examples:</p>
<p><strong>&gt; <a href="http://www.poken.com" target="_blank">Poken</a></strong> &#8211; Originally designed for college kids, these are sponsorable take home versions of Busy Event. By touching your Poken to another attendee’s Poken, you can exchange social business cards that connect each other’s facebook, twitter and linkedin accounts together.  By the looks of things &#8211; it is taking off at events. Read the <a href="http://www.poken.com/customers/bmw">BMW Case Study</a> and <a href="http://www.poken.com/customers/ibm" target="_blank">IBM Case Study</a> to see how this tool is being used.</p>
<p><strong>&gt; </strong><strong><a href="http://www.minglestick.com/markets_events.html">Mingle Stick</a></strong> &#8211; This little gadget works similarly to BusyEvent and Poken &#8211; except that it is not as robust as BusyEvent or as cool as Poken.</p>
<p><strong>&gt; </strong><strong><a href="http://www.livingtradeshow.com/solution.php" target="_blank">Living TradeShow</a></strong> &#8211;  The LivingTradeshow Crickit gives attendees a one button system for exchanging lead information. These little devices are tied to a powerful backend database and onsite network (like BusyEvent) to let exhibitors look at lead information in a live format.  The cool thing about these CrickIt devices is that they can be custom molded for each tradeshow and serve as a take-home item.</p>
<h4>A Word of Caution &#8211; About Mobile Devices</h4>
<p>For those of you drinking the mobile-phone KoolAid, I think mobile has some work to do to become as-simple-for-attendees-to-use as these new gadgets.  With mobile, you run into all kinds of problems with different hardware models, software compatibility, compliance, etc.  At a recent event, I discovered that the attendees had many different types of phones and software applications. Trying to exchange mobile contact information was sometimes more effort than it was worth.</p>
<h4>Bottom Line</h4>
<p>These new simple gadgets are creating new ways for event attendees to connect and share leads, exchange contact information and connect their social world to the real world. By giving all attendees the same technology (Belinkers, Pokens, MingleSticks or CrickITs) you are making sure that they are all working with the same business productivity tools.</p>
<p>What do you think?</p>
<p><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http://interactivemeetingtechnology.com/2010/04/15/is-your-mingle-stick-poken-attendees-in-the-belinker/&amp;source=samueljsmith"><img style="border:0 initial initial;" src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://interactivemeetingtechnology.com/2010/04/15/is-your-mingle-stick-poken-attendees-in-the-belinker/" alt="" width="51" height="61" /></a></p>
<h5><em><span style="font-weight:normal;">image: courtesy of Busy Event</span></em></h5>
<p><em><span style="font-weight:normal;">Reminder: I don&#8217;t receive any form of compensation for product reviews.</span></em></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/is-your-mingle-stick-poken-attendees-in-the-belinker/">Is Your Mingle Stick Poken Attendees in the BeLinker</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/is-your-mingle-stick-poken-attendees-in-the-belinker/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Game Changer For Small Events: Zerista’s Mobile Community Platform</title>
		<link>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/game-changer-for-small-events-zerista-mobile/</link>
		<comments>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/game-changer-for-small-events-zerista-mobile/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:40:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Samuel J Smith]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mobile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[attendees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[future of events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meeting Tech Trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mobile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social networking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[zerista]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/?p=1433</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Did you hear that Zerista launched a new mobile community for events last week? It could be a game changer for small events &#8211; giving them access to event technology that was previously too expensive. This new mobile platform is a mashup of Ning, Eventbrite, Twitter and Foursquare for small groups. Plus, it has a [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/game-changer-for-small-events-zerista-mobile/">Game Changer For Small Events: Zerista’s Mobile Community Platform</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Did you hear that Zerista launched a new mobile community for events last week? It could be a game changer for small events &#8211; giving them access to event technology that was previously too expensive.</p>
<p>This new mobile platform is a mashup of <a href="http://www.ning.com" target="_blank">Ning</a>, <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com" target="_blank">Eventbrite</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.foursquare.com" target="_blank">Foursquare</a> for small groups. Plus, it has a self-service setup AND they are making it free for groups with less than 250 people.</p>
<p>Said another way: Zerista can do schedules, messaging, backchannel, take payments, support checkin, send invites, maps and browse member lists and probably other stuff, too.</p>
<p>Watch the video from the DEMO Conference last week to get an overview:</p>
<p><span id="more-1433"></span></p>
<p>[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.931373&amp;w=425&amp;h=350&amp;fv=]</p>
<h4>Here is What I Like About Zerista:</h4>
<p>When I think about what Zerista brings to small events, I see much more than a mobile social network. I see a mobile communication system for small groups. To me, most event social network&#8217;s seem to be fancy delegate lists. (Someone take me to task on that statement, please.) Zerista has created a mobile communication platform that gives attendees several different types of communication tools. Here are a couple of things that I think are worth your attention:</p>
<p><strong>&gt; No-Web-Enabled Phone Left Behind:</strong> Unlike iphone applications that only work on one mobile phone &#8211; the Zerista system will work on any web-enabled phone. While that limits some functionality in the short run (like uploading mobile pictures), it does ensure that everyone can participate and use the solution.</p>
<p><strong>&gt; Backchannel Capability:</strong> I like that the backchannel can be private or sent out on Twitter. In some cases, you will want to share things with everyone. But, you might only want to post <strong>GOOOOOAAAALLL! </strong>to the other parents. The only other company that I have seen with a similar backchannel capability is <a href="http://www.eventvue.com">EventVue</a>.</p>
<p><strong>&gt; Checkin Capability:</strong> When I went to Event Camp in February, most attendees tweeted that they had arrived at the hotel. If we would have had the Zerista platform, we could have &#8220;checked-in&#8221; and told other community members that we had arrived. Hitting a checkin button is easy. I think we are going to see more applications for &#8220;checkin&#8221; capability at events, because it could be used to tell people that you have arrived on-site, arrived at the plenary session, arrived at lunch or at a satellite event.</p>
<p><strong>&gt; Payment Processing:</strong> This might be the killer feature. How great would it be for a small event to collect payments for “add-on” items that are purchased onsite during the event? Or what if attendees asked the organizer to throw together a last minute dinner for 40 people. You could sell tickets to that dinner and collect payments online. It would be so easy to collect money and distribute tickets online.</p>
<p><strong>&gt; Freemium Pricing:</strong> The pricing model is free for small groups, but you can purchase add-on services to make your event community a little bit better than the basic format. I like this model because it allows event organizers to try out the basic version, see what works and then upgrade or customize as required.</p>
<h4>A Word of Caution</h4>
<p><strong>&gt; This product has not launched, yet:</strong> Until I get to play with the system, I am making assumptions about how it will work based on my previous experiences with similar tech tools. (<a href="http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/ipad-it-just-works-but-will-it-work-for-events/" target="_blank">Like I did with the iPad)</a></p>
<p><strong>&gt; Clash of the Non-Joiners:</strong> I can see the baby-boomers cringing at the thought of joining a bunch of micro-communities. My response to them is that these &#8220;disposable communities&#8221; are temporary communication platforms that should make it easier for them to be a part of an event. Also, I imagine that Zerista will use Facebook Connect or Twitter Login to reduce the number of logins/passwords.</p>
<h4>Bottom Line</h4>
<p>When it comes down to it &#8211; the Zerista mobile community is more of a communication platform than a private social network. It allows you to form “disposable communities” and help them communicate, collaborate and share &#8211; while they are on the go.</p>
<p>What do you think? Will this Zerista mobile platform be a game changer for small events?  What additional strengths or shortcomings do you see with this idea?</p>
<p><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/game-changer-for-small-events-zerista-mobile/&amp;source=samueljsmith"><img style="border:0 initial initial;" src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/game-changer-for-small-events-zerista-mobile/" alt="" width="51" height="61" /></a></p>
<p><em>Note: I don&#8217;t accept any money, gifts or commissions for writing product reviews.</em></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/game-changer-for-small-events-zerista-mobile/">Game Changer For Small Events: Zerista’s Mobile Community Platform</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/game-changer-for-small-events-zerista-mobile/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>iPad: It Just Works&#8230;But Will It Work For Events?</title>
		<link>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/ipad-it-just-works-but-will-it-work-for-events/</link>
		<comments>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/ipad-it-just-works-but-will-it-work-for-events/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:43:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Samuel J Smith]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[event tech trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[attendees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[future of events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[iPad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meeting Tech Trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/?p=1233</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Today, Steve Jobs announced Apple’s latest product the iPad. For most of us “shiny object people” this was a much anticipated announcement. Why? Well &#8211; Apple products have been known to change the way that we interact with technology and experience life. Look at the iPhone, the iTouch, the itunes store and app store. These [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/ipad-it-just-works-but-will-it-work-for-events/">iPad: It Just Works&#8230;But Will It Work For Events?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today, Steve Jobs announced Apple’s latest product the iPad. For most of us “shiny object people” this was a much anticipated announcement.</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>Well &#8211; Apple products have been known to change the way that we interact with technology and experience life. Look at the iPhone, the iTouch, the itunes store and app store. These things have changed the way that hundreds of millions of people experience technology.</p>
<p>Also as was said many times today by Steve Jobs: It just works. When it comes to technology &#8211; everyone likes technology that just works.</p>
<p>What is so cool about the new iPad?  Have a look for yourself. Here is a short video from Apple that explains everything.</p>
<p>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lCOU5O9V1Q&amp;feature=player_embedded]</p>
<h4>Will It Work For Events?</h4>
<p>Today, at events, we already have event applications built around laptops, mobile phones and purpose built devices.  What if anything would the iPad be good for at an event?</p>
<p>Here are some event applications that popped into my head while watching the live announcement:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Larger Screen = bigger fonts = easier readability for all types of attendees (like baby boomers).</strong> This means that you could create e-versions of your Show Daily, conference guide and exhibitor guides. This would make it very easy to make an event paperless AND preserve your sponsorship revenue.</li>
<li><strong>Incorporating Multimedia</strong>. There will be a clear opportunity to include multiple photos and video clips from the show floor in the e-versions of the Show Daily. Electronic Exhibitor guides could contain video demonstrations of products. Electronic Conference binders could contain speaker videos. <strong>The kicker?</strong> If you are recording sessions these sessions could be setup online and available for viewing/downloading on the iPad right away.</li>
<li><strong>Interactive Demos.</strong> Today &#8211; interactive demos can be a challenge to run on the show floor. I think that we will see more and more interactive marketing companies creating demos, games, quizes, etc that get attendees engaged on the show floor (or in the streeet). These apps will help companies capture new leads, qualify them, and feed them into the CRM system right on the show floor. In my opinion, the iPad &#8211; as a hybrid of the iphone and the laptop &#8211; will be perfect for this type of application.</li>
<li><strong>Agendas, One-to-One Appointments, and Personalized Agendas.</strong> Did you see the new calendar function? I think that someone will come up with an application for the iPad that creates personalized agendas for attendees, schedules appointments, etc. While the iPad frontend needs to be easy to use &#8211; the database, scheduling engine and reporting will be a powerful part of this solution.</li>
<li><strong>Corporate Backchannel.</strong> With the powerful user interface and portability, I could see someone creating a corporate backchannel application that runs on the iPad. While any device could be used to enter comments into the backchannel &#8211; the iPad advantage will be in viewing all of the other comments on the backchannel and privacy. Corporates don&#8217;t want their internal discussions tweeted to everyone.</li>
<li><strong>Speaker Q&amp;A.</strong> I can see iPads sprinkled across the roundtables in a large conference room. Attendees can use them to enter questions for speakers, see what others asked, and maybe even rate/rank them. How cool would it be to rate questions for the CEO? Awesome!</li>
<li><strong>Way-Finding</strong>. I can see people using the iPad GPS to figure out the best route to their next appointment on the show room floor or to another part of the center or to the off-site event this evening. (Note: GPS may not be accurate enough to find most 3X3 meter booths inside of a hall.)</li>
<li><strong>Sponsorship</strong>.  There was a lot of screen real-estate for including innovative sponsorships &#8211; beyond banners. I am sure we will see some innovative digital sponsorship applications emerge.</li>
</ul>
<h4>A Word of Caution</h4>
<ul>
<li><strong>Venue Wifi Sucks.</strong> enough said.</li>
<li><strong>Devices For Each Person.</strong> For the situations where <em>each</em> attendee needs a device &#8211; IMO the purpose built device will be a better solution than a mobile phone or iPad type product. Why? The purpose built devices have return-me-now alarms. They have higher adoption rates. They come with private networks. Usually&#8230;they come with trained staff that know how to manage the technology across many different user types.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Bottom Line</h4>
<p>The iPad is a new platform that will change the way that we experience events. Not necessarily &#8211; because of the ways that I suggested above.  I think the iPad&#8217;s biggest impact on events will come from showing attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and event organizers a new way to use technology and experience life.  As people get more comfortable with these new technology experiences they will start demanding similar types of experiences from their face-to-face events.</p>
<p>So &#8211; those are my first impressions.  What do you think?</p>
<p>It just works&#8230;.But will it work for events?</p>
<p><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/ipad-it-just-works-but-will-it-work-for-events/&amp;source=samueljsmith"><img style="border:0 initial initial;" src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/ipad-it-just-works-but-will-it-work-for-events/" alt="" width="51" height="61" /></a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/ipad-it-just-works-but-will-it-work-for-events/">iPad: It Just Works&#8230;But Will It Work For Events?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/ipad-it-just-works-but-will-it-work-for-events/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>2010 Event Technology Shopping List Presentation</title>
		<link>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/2010-event-technology-shopping-list-presentation/</link>
		<comments>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/2010-event-technology-shopping-list-presentation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:00:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Samuel J Smith]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[event tech trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EIBTM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meeting Tech Trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tech strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[virtual events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[webcast]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/?p=998</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Here is the video from my 2010 Event Technology Shopping list presentation with Ruud Janssen at EIBTM on 1 December 2009. For those of you stuck outside of the room on Tuesday, I am sorry that you were not able to attend live. Hopefully, this video is an acceptable substitute. To set expectations – the [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/2010-event-technology-shopping-list-presentation/">2010 Event Technology Shopping List Presentation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here is the video from my 2010 Event Technology Shopping list presentation with Ruud Janssen at EIBTM on 1 December 2009.</p>
<p>For those of you stuck outside of the room on Tuesday, I am sorry that you were not able to attend live. Hopefully, this video is an acceptable substitute.</p>
<p>To set expectations – the video is not professional grade. We shot it with my home movie camera. So please excuse the camera position, video quality and the start. We missed the introductions and first ARS questions.</p>
<p>The video is 52 minutes long – so watch it with a fresh cup of coffee and a pastry!</p>
<p>Finally, I hope that you find some usable ideas that can be applied to your 2010 events. Enjoy!</p>
<p>[wpvideo fLHzsmLz]</p>
<p>Special thanks to Maarten Vanneste for operating the camera, getting a decent shot of the presentation and moderating the session. Without Maarten&#8217;s help, we wouldn&#8217;t have this video to share with you.</p>
<p><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/2010-event-technology-shopping-list-presentation/&amp;source=samueljsmith"><img style="border:0 initial initial;" src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/2010-event-technology-shopping-list-presentation/" alt="" width="51" height="61" /></a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/2010-event-technology-shopping-list-presentation/">2010 Event Technology Shopping List Presentation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/2010-event-technology-shopping-list-presentation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Worlds Are Colliding to Create New Opportunities for Events</title>
		<link>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/worlds-are-colliding-to-create-new-opportunities-for-events/</link>
		<comments>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/worlds-are-colliding-to-create-new-opportunities-for-events/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:24:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Samuel J Smith]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[event tech trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[attendees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Audience Engagement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EIBTM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[future of events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meeting design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meeting Tech Trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[virtual events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[virtual participants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[webcast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[webcasts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/?p=968</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Yesterday, my colleague Ruud Janssen and I delivered a presentation called the 2010 Event Technology Shopping List at EIBTM. I will post the slides and video soon. But, first I wanted to share some of the thinking that was at the heart of our work. Worlds Are Colliding The digital world and the face to [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/worlds-are-colliding-to-create-new-opportunities-for-events/">Worlds Are Colliding to Create New Opportunities for Events</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yesterday, my colleague Ruud Janssen and I delivered a presentation called the <a href="http://www.eibtm.com/page.cfm/Action=Seminars/SeminarID=7" target="_blank">2010 Event Technology Shopping Lis</a>t at <a href="http://www.eibtm.com" target="_blank">EIBTM</a>. I will post the <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/samuel_j_smith/2010-event-technology-shopping-list" target="_blank">slides</a> and <a href="http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/2010-event-technology-shopping-list-presentation/" target="_blank">video</a> soon.  But, first I wanted to share some of the thinking that was at the heart of our work.</p>
<h4>Worlds Are Colliding</h4>
<p><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-019.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-970" title="Event Technology Worlds Are Colliding " src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-019.png" alt="Event Technology Worlds Are Colliding" width="400" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>The digital world and the face to face worlds are colliding and I see several new opportunities emerging for events. Yesterday, we tackled these four new opportunities that have emerged for events to use event technology to transform the event:</p>
<ul>
<li>Extending the Meeting</li>
<li>Including More People</li>
<li>Improved Interaction</li>
<li>New Formats</li>
</ul>
<h4><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-020.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-971" title="Event Tech Opportunity" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-020.png" alt="" width="400" height="300" /></a></h4>
<h4>Extending the Meeting</h4>
<p>We have the opportunity to stretch event experiences from 1-2 days to several days, weeks and months. Rather than looking at the meeting as an isolated event &#8211; we can look at it as one point in a conversation stream. By using your digital touch points wisely, you can start relationships earlier and change the nature of the face-to-face interactions onsite. Webinars, webcasts, social networks and social media tools are some of the technologies making this possible.</p>
<h4><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-021.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-972" title="2010 Event Tech Shopping List Extend Meetings" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-021.png" alt="" width="400" height="300" /></a></h4>
<h4>Including More People</h4>
<p>The people that come to your event are a subset of your event community. For one reason or another, there are some people that cannot come to your event. It has nothing to do with you, your program, the venue, the destination or the price &#8211;  they just can’t come.  Rather than ignore these &#8220;potential&#8221; attendees &#8211; the technology tools like the backchannel and live streaming help you include them in your event experience.</p>
<p><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-022.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-973" title="2010eventtechshoppinglist.022" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-022.png" alt="" width="400" height="300" /></a></p>
<h4>Increasing Interaction</h4>
<p>Attendees are smarter than they have ever been. The gap between the experts on stage and the attendees in the audience has never been smaller. The collaboration tools that we have at our disposal have made it easier than ever to create this interaction. Equally important &#8211; there are a large number of audience response keypads, gadgets, handheld devices and mobile applications that put the power in the attendee’s hand and make it easier for you to engage them: Ask questions, collect ideas, vote, etc.</p>
<h4><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-024.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-974" title="2010eventtechshoppinglist.024" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-024.png" alt="" width="400" height="300" /></a></h4>
<h4>Alternative Formats</h4>
<p>We still live in a world where good projects (meetings, marketing plans, etc.) are being cut in favor of better projects. Telepresence and Virtual Events are two event formats that have emerged as viable lost cost alternatives (or compliments) to full face-to-face events. While some face-to-face diehards may initially raise their noses at these two formats &#8211; I suggest that you take a closer look. I would prefer that you keep some options in your back pocket and fight for your projects &#8211; rather than accept defeat when the finance department and management want to cut your event.</p>
<p><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-025.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-975" title="2010eventtechshoppinglist.025" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/2010eventtechshoppinglist-025.png" alt="" width="400" height="300" /></a></p>
<h4>Bottom Line</h4>
<p>The collision between the digital world and the face-to-face world creates several new opportunities for events. By framing the discussion in terms of these new opportunities &#8211; you can strategically approach technology rather than look at it tactically.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s my take &#8211; what do you think?</p>
<p><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/worlds-are-colliding-to-create-new-opportunities-for-events/&amp;source=samueljsmith"><img style="border:0 initial initial;" src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/worlds-are-colliding-to-create-new-opportunities-for-events/" alt="" width="51" height="61" /></a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/worlds-are-colliding-to-create-new-opportunities-for-events/">Worlds Are Colliding to Create New Opportunities for Events</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/worlds-are-colliding-to-create-new-opportunities-for-events/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>It’s Halloween: Are Your Events Haunted by the Blackberry Prayer?</title>
		<link>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/its-halloween-are-your-events-haunted-by-the-blackberry-prayer/</link>
		<comments>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/its-halloween-are-your-events-haunted-by-the-blackberry-prayer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:05:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Samuel J Smith]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[interaction ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mobile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[attendees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Audience Engagement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blackberry prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conferences]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dialogue]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[face2face]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[future of events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[halloween]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interaction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meeting Tech Trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meetings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tools]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/?p=789</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>You know the blackberry prayer. It’s that pose that attendees adopt when they stuff their faces into their blackberry devices (or iphones) during the keynote address or breakout sessions. You know &#8211; at the exact moment that they should be listening. For some speakers and event organizers this can be embarrassing and frustrating. After all [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/its-halloween-are-your-events-haunted-by-the-blackberry-prayer/">It’s Halloween: Are Your Events Haunted by the Blackberry Prayer?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You know the blackberry prayer. It’s that pose that attendees adopt when they stuff their faces into their blackberry devices (or iphones) during the keynote address or breakout sessions. You know &#8211; at the exact moment that they should be listening.</p>
<p>For some speakers and event organizers this can be embarrassing and frustrating. After all the content is supposedly important stuff. Based on what I am hearing and reading in discussion groups &#8211; it seems to be haunting events.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-796" title="BlackBerry Prayer" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/blackberry_prayer-015.jpg" alt="BlackBerry Prayer" width="400" height="300" /></p>
<h4>New Flash: Mobile Devices Are Here To Stay</h4>
<p>With more than 120,000 applications available for smart phones, mobile phones are only going to grow in usage. So, you can expect the blackberry prayer to become more common at events in 2010.  Here are some additional facts:</p>
<ul>
<li>More than 58% of Americans have a web enabled mobile phone</li>
<li>In Europe, 1 in 4 households cancelled their landline and are only using their mobile</li>
<li>More than 2 trillion SMS (text) messages were sent in 2008.  (Yes! that is Trillion with a “T”!!)</li>
<li>1 in 4 new mobile phones sold in the US is a smart phone.</li>
</ul>
<p>Besides dressing up as the headless horseman and throwing flaming pumpkins at attendees (which, by the way, I don’t advise) &#8211; <strong>what can you do to get attendees to look up and pay attention to the speaker?</strong></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-794" title="headless_horseman.014" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/headless_horseman-014.jpg" alt="headless_horseman.014" width="400" height="300" /></p>
<h4>If You Can’t Beat’em &#8211; Join‘em</h4>
<p>You can’t prevent people from using their smart phones at your event &#8211; but you can engage them through the smart phones.  Ask attendees to use their devices to look up answers during a session. Ask them to tweet you questions or comments. Or use one of the mobile event applications that helps them keep in touch with you and the event.</p>
<p>If those ideas still sounds scary to you &#8211; here are 10 more ideas that will help you create interaction:</p>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/do-you-allocate-enough-time-for-interaction/" target="_blank">Increase Interaction Time &amp; Reduce Speaker Presentation Time</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jeffhurtblog.com/2009/08/12/10-reasons-why-you-should-use-a-back-channel-at-your-conference/" target="_blank">Setup A Backchannel</a></li>
<li><a href="http://mind4meetings.wordpress.com/2009/04/19/texting-technology-at-meetings/" target="_blank">Use Mobile Texting Tools</a></li>
<li><a href="http://swanthinks.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/buzz-collaboration-format/" target="_blank">Use the Buzz Collaboration Format</a></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishbowl_(conversation)" target="_blank">Try the Fishbowl Technique</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.unconference.net/welcome-to-the-unconference-blog/" target="_blank">Try an Unconference</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.unconference.net/open-space-what-happens-why-does-it-work/" target="_blank">Use Open Space Technology</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.imlaudienceresponse.com/products/team-building-games/team-building-games.html" target="_blank">Try An Audience Response Team Building Game</a></li>
<li><a href="http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/could-flash-mobs-make-events-interactive-and-fun/" target="_blank">Start a Flash Mob &#8211; Like Oprah</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.spotme.com/index.php?id=7fresh" target="_blank">Try a Treasure Hunt</a></li>
</ol>
<h4>Bottom Line</h4>
<p><span style="font-weight:normal;">Ghosts, Goblins and Blackberry-using-attendees do not control your event experience &#8211; you do.  When it comes to addressing the growing number of mobile devices at your events you have two choices: Trick or Treat.</span></p>
<p>Let me know if you have any alternative witches brew that might be useful here. Happy Halloween!</p>
<p><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/it’s-halloween-are-your-events-haunted-by-the-blackberry-prayer/&amp;source=samueljsmith"><img style="border:0 initial initial;" src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/it’s-halloween-are-your-events-haunted-by-the-blackberry-prayer/" alt="" width="51" height="61" /></a></p>
<p><em>photo credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jochen/"><strong>jochen</strong></a> &amp; </em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oskay/"><strong><em>oskay</em></strong></a></p>
<p><em>Note: I discovered the term &#8220;Blackberry Prayer&#8221; in a Podcast between <a href="http://www.principledinnovation.com/blog/" target="_blank">Jeff DeCagna</a> &amp; <a href="http://blog.meetingsnet.com/face2face/" target="_blank">Sue Pelletier</a>: <a href="http://blog.meetingsnet.com/face2face/2009/09/18/does-social-media-make-us-antisocial/" target="_blank">Listen</a> | <a href="http://meetingsnet.com/social-media/0924-redefining-social-media/" target="_blank">Read</a></em></p>
<p><strong><em><br />
</em></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/its-halloween-are-your-events-haunted-by-the-blackberry-prayer/">It’s Halloween: Are Your Events Haunted by the Blackberry Prayer?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/its-halloween-are-your-events-haunted-by-the-blackberry-prayer/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Announcing 2010 Event Technology Shopping List</title>
		<link>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/announcing-2010-event-technology-shopping-list/</link>
		<comments>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/announcing-2010-event-technology-shopping-list/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:22:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Samuel J Smith]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[event tech trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2010 technology shopping list]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conferences]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EIBTM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eibtm09]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event technology trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meeting Tech Trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meeting technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meetings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tech strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tools]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/?p=743</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>With hundreds of new event technologies hitting the global events market each year, it can be maddening to figure out where to start and what to use. To help you, my colleague Ruud Janssen and I have developed an event technology shopping list. On Tuesday, 1 December, we will be presenting our 2010 Event Technology [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/announcing-2010-event-technology-shopping-list/">Announcing 2010 Event Technology Shopping List</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With hundreds of new event technologies hitting the global events market each year, it can be maddening to figure out where to start and what to use. To help you, my colleague <a href="http://www.eibtm.com/page.cfm/link=295" target="_blank">Ruud Janssen</a> and I have developed an event technology shopping list.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, 1 December, we will be presenting our <a href="http://www.eibtm.com/page.cfm/Action=Seminars/SeminarID=7" target="_blank">2010 Event Technology Shopping List</a> to the participants of the <a href="http://www.eibtm.com/page.cfm/Link=408/t=m/trackLogID=1900440_BA5740F1F7" target="_blank">EIBTM Tech Hour</a> at 1pm. Here is our promotional video.</p>
<p>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7Jz9ppb83U]</p>
<h4>Why a Shopping List?</h4>
<p>When you are cooking, you combine different types of ingredients to prepare your dishes.  We think that the combination of tech ingredients is what makes the attendee experience great.  The shopping list analogy comes from the ingredients that you need to go get or hire.</p>
<p>Plus, not every tech tool (or ingredient) will be appropriate for your event.  For example, just because you like apples &#8211; doesn’t mean that they are appropriate for every dish. The same is true with event technology.</p>
<p>Finally, the shopping list supports my strong personal desire to make sure that each participant in the session goes home with something tangible and actionable for their next event.</p>
<h4>How Will We Sort Through the Madness?</h4>
<p>Just like a chef preparing a meal for his guests, we are putting the attendee at the center of the discussion.  We are looking at event technology tools that:</p>
<ul>
<li>Improve the participant experience</li>
<li>Allow you to reach out and connect with more participants than before</li>
<li>Allow you to do more for less.</li>
</ul>
<p>After we assemble the list, then we will categorize and rate the tools.  The criteria will look something like the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Impact on the participant experience</li>
<li>Extend the reach and range</li>
<li>Cost (relative to others in category)</li>
<li>Amount of prepartory time involved</li>
<li>Impact on the planner’s design &amp; execution process</li>
<li>Global business capability (to acknowledge Asian vs European vs US suppliers)</li>
</ul>
<p><em>(Note: This list is still evolving and being refined. Please share any ideas or input that you have!)</em></p>
<h4>Our List of Event Tech Tools?</h4>
<p>We already have a list of over 200 event technology tools. This includes the 48 participants in the<a href="http://www.eibtm.com/page.cfm/Link=173/t=m/goSection=7/trackLogID=1902518_1291D1DAFD" target="_blank"> EIBTM WorldWide Technology Watch Contest</a> that was won by Pathable.</p>
<p>We know that we are missing several others. Soooo &#8211; if you have a product or service that you would like to recommend &#8211; please tell us about it. We will be happy to include it in our process. You can either leave a comment on this post OR send me an email at samuel_j_smith at yahoo.com.</p>
<h4>Bottom Line</h4>
<p><span style="font-weight:normal;">The motivation behind this project is to create a tool that helps meeting and event organizers sift through event technology. Based on what you can see in this post &#8211; what will help you with your job the most?  What are we missing that we need to include in the process and analysis?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:normal;">I hope to see you in Barcelona at EIBTM in December!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/announcing-2010-event-technology-shopping-list/&amp;source=samueljsmith"><img style="border:0 initial initial;" src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/announcing-2010-event-technology-shopping-list/" alt="" width="51" height="61" /></a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/announcing-2010-event-technology-shopping-list/">Announcing 2010 Event Technology Shopping List</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/announcing-2010-event-technology-shopping-list/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Thoughts on &#8220;Top 10 Meeting Trends for 2010&#8243; Webinar</title>
		<link>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/thoughts-on-top-10-meeting-trends-for-2010-webinar/</link>
		<comments>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/thoughts-on-top-10-meeting-trends-for-2010-webinar/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:38:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Samuel J Smith]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[event tech trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conferences]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Corbin Ball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Nour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[future of events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meeting Tech Trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tech strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Top 10]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/?p=277</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>In August, I took a few digital-days-off to celebrate my 10 year wedding anniversary in Croatia. While I was off-the-grid, Corbin Ball of Corbin Ball Associates and David Nour of Relationship Economics hosted a webinar on the 10 Meeting Trends for 2010. (Watch) I finally got a chance to watch that webinar this week. It [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/thoughts-on-top-10-meeting-trends-for-2010-webinar/">Thoughts on &#8220;Top 10 Meeting Trends for 2010&#8243; Webinar</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float:left;margin-right:10px;"><a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/thoughts-on-top-10-meeting-trends-for-2010-webinar/&amp;source=samueljsmith"><img style="border:0 initial initial;" src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/thoughts-on-top-10-meeting-trends-for-2010-webinar/" alt="" width="51" height="61" /></a></div>
<p>In August, I took a few digital-days-off to celebrate my 10 year wedding anniversary in Croatia. While I was off-the-grid, Corbin Ball of <a href="http://www.corbinball.com/techtalk/" target="_blank">Corbin Ball Associates</a> and David Nour of <a href="http://www.relationshipeconomics.net/" target="_blank">Relationship Economics</a> hosted a webinar on the<strong> 10 Meeting Trends for 2010</strong>. (<a href="http://www.corbinball.com/uploads/Corbin10TechTrends.wmv" target="_blank">Watch</a>)</p>
<p>I finally got a chance to watch that webinar this week. It is loaded with links to new technologies that are guaranteed to dazzle your mind and send attendees dancing in the aisles. The data, examples and web links were protein enriched and packed with healthy goodness. The Q&amp;A &#8211; which was spread throughout the session &#8212; was managed brilliantly. One criticism of the presentation &#8211; the Top 10 list was biased toward technology. So, it should have probably been a Meeting Tech Trends List.</p>
<h4>
<p><div id="attachment_286" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/balakov/"><img class="size-full wp-image-286" title="Jedi Masters" src="http://interactivemtgtech.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/yodajedi-005.jpg" alt="CC Image by Balakov " width="400" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">CC Image by Balakov </p></div></h4>
<h4>The Top 10 Meeting Trends for 2010</h4>
<p>10. Mobile Platforms</p>
<p>9. Social Networking Meeting Applications</p>
<p>8. MicroBlogging</p>
<p>7. Social Review Sites</p>
<p>6. Strategic Meetings Management</p>
<p>5. Video Options</p>
<p>4. Telepresence</p>
<p>3. Audience Response</p>
<p>2. Mobile Lead Retrieval</p>
<p>1. Power of Face-to-Face</p>
<h5><em><span style="font-weight:normal;">(Source: <a href="http://www.corbinball.com/uploads/Corbin10TechTrends.wmv" target="_blank">Top 10 Meeting Trends Webinar</a> by Corbin Ball and David Nour)</span></em></h5>
<h4>Bottom Line</h4>
<p>Now that you are aware of the event technology trends &#8211; how will you integrate this information into your 2010 event planning? If you are not sure, try asking yourself the following questions:</p>
<p>1.  Which trends &amp; tools improve my attendee experience and allow the attendee to achieve his/her objectives?</p>
<p>2.  Which trends and tools will help me extend my event experience and create attendee value beyond the face-2-face event? (Before &#8211; During &#8211; After)</p>
<p>3.  Which event objectives become easily (or cheaply) achievable with these tech tools?</p>
<p>4.  Does my team have the right skills to flawlessly execute the tech at my event(s)? or will I need a good vendor partner?</p>
<h4>What Does Your  Crystal Ball Say?</h4>
<p>Did David and Corbin hit the nail on the head with this Top 10 List? Or did they miss something in your opinion?  Or maybe they got the trends right and the order wrong?  What do  you see when you look into your crystal ball?</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/thoughts-on-top-10-meeting-trends-for-2010-webinar/">Thoughts on &#8220;Top 10 Meeting Trends for 2010&#8243; Webinar</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com">Interactive Meeting Technology</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.interactivemeetingtechnology.com/thoughts-on-top-10-meeting-trends-for-2010-webinar/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="http://www.corbinball.com/uploads/Corbin10TechTrends.wmv" length="54955343" type="video/x-ms-wmv" />
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
