I’ve been writing about hybrid meetings for a long time; my first post was in February 2010. The COVID19 pandemic created an explosion of interest in hybrid meetings, and the marketplace and event professionals are still defining what “hybrid” means. […]
I’m a longtime proponent of more engaging activities, participation, and connection around relevant content at events. Sometimes, I feel like I’m whistling in the wind. So I felt happy when I saw the following in a global poll by PCMA of […]
Ever since my first encounter with the hybrid hub and spoke meeting topology at Event Camp Twin Cities in 2011, I’ve been a big fan of the format. Yesterday [see below], I realized that hub and spoke is a great format […]
What makes attending conferences worthwhile? As I described in Conferences That Work, the two most common reasons for attending conferences are to learn useful things and make useful connections. But there are numerous other ways that conferences provide value to stakeholders. […]
Meeting planners try to minimize planning and execution surprises at events. Having no coffee available at the opening breakfast? Bad surprise! But not all meeting surprises are bad. Adrian shares three examples of how incorporating planned surprises into our events can be one of the best ways of improving attendees’ experience and learning.
Why do some learning experiences stay burning in our brains and others fade into oblivion? Adrian explains how to inspire transformational learning.
Companies are now marketing services for artificial intelligence matchmaking at events. However, unresolved issues could impede the adoption of this technology, especially by attendees. Consider this marketing pitch for an artificial intelligence event matchmaking service: “Using the [AI] platform…it’s easier […]
I love and respect David Adler, but his flagship publication BizBash is perpetuating a common misconception about meeting design. Here’s what’s wrong—and what event professionals need to do to make things right!
Give attendees experiences, not things. Branded pens, tee shirts, mugs, tote bags, water bottles, and other tchotchkes are scattered around my home. Piled on shelves, they are eventually consigned to oblivion without a thought. Yes, it’s hard to attend a typical […]
I’ve returned from a wonderful 48-hour whirlwind of experiments and play with 30 meeting designers in Utrecht, The Netherlands. We came from Europe, South America, Slovakia, and the U.S. (me) to learn, share, and connect at the first Meeting Design […]