I finagled an invitation to join Google+, the new social networking site that’s making news. I’m not really sure why I did this, since I can barely keep up with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and all the blogs and groups I subscribe to, but I always have this lurking feeling that I’m going to be left out of the conversation if I don’t have the latest and greatest toys.
So I’ve signed up, taken the tutorials and have a total of exactly one person in all of my circles. I’m dragging my heels, to be honest, because I’m not sure if I want to go through the whole learning curve again, the whole building a network thing. I already have so many, how will I cope with one more without social media consuming my life?
For now, I think I’ll hang back and lurk a bit. If the event industry embraces Google+, I’ll have no choice of course. What do you think? Are you taking the plunge? Or are you just as hesitant to get even more entangled in the web?
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Make Mine Virtual?
For all the buzz about virtual and hybrid events, the rate of adoption seems to have slowed a bit. While some organizations have dipped their toes in the water, others don’t want to touch this area. So says a new study by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, with collaboration from the Center for Exhibition Industry research, and consulting companies Relate and Tagoras. The survey group consisted of executives at organizations that produce events, including for-profit and not-for-profit.
One of the findings struck a chord with me.
It seems that, although attendees say that live streaming content is their favorite type of virtual (so is mine), a lot of organizers are reluctant to go that direction. Why? Resource and technology concerns . Issues include staff time needed to execute a virtual event, cost, quality of experience, complexity of the technology and inadequate interest from attendees, exhibitors or sponsors.
That’s really too bad, but I understand their feelings. Live streaming can be cool, but also fraught with problems. How many times have you logged onto a live event, and either couldn’t see or hear what’s happening? Or you couldn’t see the slides that are being discussed? Or maybe the talent just doesn’t understand how to engage a virtual audience.
Don’t get me wrong. I think as we keep working on this, it will get better. And there will be multiple benefits for all. But I’m not sure we’re quite there yet.
What do you think?
One of the findings struck a chord with me.
It seems that, although attendees say that live streaming content is their favorite type of virtual (so is mine), a lot of organizers are reluctant to go that direction. Why? Resource and technology concerns . Issues include staff time needed to execute a virtual event, cost, quality of experience, complexity of the technology and inadequate interest from attendees, exhibitors or sponsors.
That’s really too bad, but I understand their feelings. Live streaming can be cool, but also fraught with problems. How many times have you logged onto a live event, and either couldn’t see or hear what’s happening? Or you couldn’t see the slides that are being discussed? Or maybe the talent just doesn’t understand how to engage a virtual audience.
Don’t get me wrong. I think as we keep working on this, it will get better. And there will be multiple benefits for all. But I’m not sure we’re quite there yet.
What do you think?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
My Spin on SPINCon
I was really curious how SPINCon would play out for a couple of reasons. First, I’ve known Shawna Suckow, the founder of Senior Planners Industry Network (SPIN) for quite a few years, and have admired her entrepreneurial spirit—she’s not afraid to break out of the box and try sometimes-daring new ideas. And I was wondering what kind of crowd she would draw to this inaugural event—a three-day conference that was intended to “hatch” innovation and inspiration with SPIN members. (SPIN began in 2008 as an online forum for planners with at least 10 years of experience, and has evolved into a networking group of more than 2,000. This was the group’s first in-person conference.)
I was able to attend portions of the conference and was impressed. (That’s impressive because I am the veteran of countless boring conferences over the course of many years, and tend to be a bit cynical.) This was a fresh, Event Camp-type experience. Lots of technology (some good, some not) and engagement activities (some good, some not). About 100 people attended from around the country. Lots of association planners, some indies and some corporate.
I really liked the room set-up in the main ballroom at the St. Paul Crowne Plaza. Lounge furniture was interspersed with traditional rounds of 10, and many people gravitated to the comfy furniture. The stage had a runway that projected into the audience, making the setting more engaging and intimate. Large monitors were set up on each table and in the lounge areas, bringing the action up close to the attendees.
No business cards allowed. We were all issued Pokens (see related story, Top Tips) to exchange contact information, and it worked pretty well. The conference had its own app and I used my iPhone throughout the conference to check on the agenda and speakers.
One piece of tech that we just didn’t get: whooznear, an app that is supposed to show you who is in the room. Just didn’t work, although I checked it every hour or so. I’m not sure what the story was, but I’ll let you know what happened.
You can read about the social activities at http://spincon.spinplanners.com. I did not attend these because of schedule conflicts, but the people I talked to said they came off just fine. A baby shower at the Mall of America and a floating tradeshow on a riverboat added novelty to the event.
The highly anticipated presentation, The Cheater’s Guide to Awesome Hybrid Events, had a great concept: have part of the group break off into another room and become “Canada,” and another group break off into another room and become “home,” plus live-stream the whole thing to a virtual audience. Sam Smith and Erica St. Angel are engaging presenters, but sadly, the hotel’s band-width couldn’t carry off the connectivity. “Canada” had a terrible experience with no slides and bad audio and “home” had to come back to the main group when their computers couldn’t link in. The virtual audience deserted when they couldn’t access the presentation.
But these things happen, especially when you’re experimenting with brave, new ideas.
I thought that, in general, it was a noble effort on SPIN’s part. I appreciated taking part in it, and offer kudos to Shawna and SPIN for taking chances and breaking new ground!
I was able to attend portions of the conference and was impressed. (That’s impressive because I am the veteran of countless boring conferences over the course of many years, and tend to be a bit cynical.) This was a fresh, Event Camp-type experience. Lots of technology (some good, some not) and engagement activities (some good, some not). About 100 people attended from around the country. Lots of association planners, some indies and some corporate.
I really liked the room set-up in the main ballroom at the St. Paul Crowne Plaza. Lounge furniture was interspersed with traditional rounds of 10, and many people gravitated to the comfy furniture. The stage had a runway that projected into the audience, making the setting more engaging and intimate. Large monitors were set up on each table and in the lounge areas, bringing the action up close to the attendees.
No business cards allowed. We were all issued Pokens (see related story, Top Tips) to exchange contact information, and it worked pretty well. The conference had its own app and I used my iPhone throughout the conference to check on the agenda and speakers.
One piece of tech that we just didn’t get: whooznear, an app that is supposed to show you who is in the room. Just didn’t work, although I checked it every hour or so. I’m not sure what the story was, but I’ll let you know what happened.
You can read about the social activities at http://spincon.spinplanners.com. I did not attend these because of schedule conflicts, but the people I talked to said they came off just fine. A baby shower at the Mall of America and a floating tradeshow on a riverboat added novelty to the event.
The highly anticipated presentation, The Cheater’s Guide to Awesome Hybrid Events, had a great concept: have part of the group break off into another room and become “Canada,” and another group break off into another room and become “home,” plus live-stream the whole thing to a virtual audience. Sam Smith and Erica St. Angel are engaging presenters, but sadly, the hotel’s band-width couldn’t carry off the connectivity. “Canada” had a terrible experience with no slides and bad audio and “home” had to come back to the main group when their computers couldn’t link in. The virtual audience deserted when they couldn’t access the presentation.
But these things happen, especially when you’re experimenting with brave, new ideas.
I thought that, in general, it was a noble effort on SPIN’s part. I appreciated taking part in it, and offer kudos to Shawna and SPIN for taking chances and breaking new ground!
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