ThingsTo Do In Austin While At PCMA Convening Leaders

With the PCMA Convening Leaders event just days away I am getting some inquiries from friends and clients about fun things to do in Austin (since I have lived in the Texas Capital for 25 years).  Here are some ideas, but there are so many more.

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Just a few restaurants you may want to try-- but you will need a car to get to some of them...or take Ride Austin (like Uber - but we dont have uber in Austin).

• The Salt Lick (in Driftwood, about 30 miles away, but good if you are hungry and with a big group who want to do family style BBQ)
• Guero's Taco Bar. (on South Congress) 
• Geraldine's (Restaurant in Van Zandt Hotel- Rainey Street).  Wow, this is good food. Fun upscale atmosphere.
• HopDoddy - Hamburgers (on South Congress)
• The Vegan Yacht (a food truck of East Cesar Chavez)
• Taco Deli (several locations). BEST TACOS (some will say Torchy's are the best tacos. They are wrong... but close 2nd). Note...Taco Deli is only open for breakfast and lunch.
• East Side Cafe (on Manor)
• Hula Hut. Sitting outside on the lake is awesome. 
• Jo's Coffee on South Congress. This is where the famous "I love you so much" graffiti wall is locate (you may not know what I am talking about... but when you see it you will say "oh, I have seen that".... as everyone takes a photo in front of it and posts to FB).
• Mozart's coffee. On Lake Austin. Great local coffee and a patio you will never forget if we have great weather.
• Lick ice cream. Weird flavors.
• Voodoo Donuts (yea, yea, they are HQ'd in Portland... but they are 5 blocks from Convention Center on 6th Street and open 24 hours. The donuts are awesome).
• Wink (my favorite fine dining place... pricey but yum)
• Italic (Downtown).
• Iron Works... (dive BBQ place on back side of Convention Center... awesome).
• Winflo is medium/high end but great food.
• Three Forks is my favorite steakhouse, but Sullivan's, Vince Young Steak House, Bob's Chop House, and Perry's are all great.

This is just a start.

LIST of 25 famous old classic Austin restaurants: http://austin.eater.com/…/historic-classic-austin-restauran…

The official food is BBQ, Mexican (TexMex), and Breakfast Tacos. The breakfast taco thing is a real local obsession that is not like any place. The New York Times even wrote an article a few years ago about Austin and their breakfast tacos.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/dining/10united.html?_r=0

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Things to see:

• The Whole Foods Flagship Store. They now have some big stores in other cities... but this is located on the bottom of their 9 story office HQ and was the first giant store they opened. Whole Foods was founded in Austin by hippies. When I moved here they had two small dumpy stores that sold healthy stuff. Now they are... well now they are what we all know (huge, expensive, etc...)
• The Capital Building. I know it seems weird, but take a tour with a guide. It is cool
• South Congress Ave. This is the Keep Austin Weird area, and mostly local shops.... but the chains are coming as the real estate is now pricey and it may lose its charm in a few years... so wander around now, as next time you come to town it will all be The Gap and Donna Karan stores. Also, one of the first Food Trucks that started the whole national food trailer "thing" is HEY CUPCAKE in SoCo.
• Take a Segway tour. Yes, even as a local I have done this... they show you downtown and it is a lot of fun.
• 6th Street. This is the famous street with all the bars and all the bands play on the weekends. Lots of live music, booze, etc... Mostly where the college kids go... and with 50K undergrads at UT... there are lots out at night.
• Go to Esthers Follies. This is a vaudeville style show on 6th on Thurs, Fri and Sat. It sells out most nights, so buy tickets in advance. 8 PM and 10 PM Shows. One block from hotel.
• 2nd/4th Street area (Warehouse District). Most warehouses being torn down for high rise condos ... but lots of good bars and restaurants. More grown up crowd.
• Tour the UT campus. Maybe get a tour to top of tower (need reservations).
• Texas State Museum. This is cooler than you would think.... and Texas has a really rich history. Most who go are surprised about all the stuff they learn about this state (we are more than cowboy boots and GW Bush).
• Buy your Cowboy Boots (many come to town and shop at Allen's Boots on South Congress).  It is next door to Guero's Taco Bar.
• You have heard about the Bats that live in the bridge? Yep, Austin is the home of the largest colony of bats... but they dont live here in the winter. Come back in July.
• Walk along Lady Bird Lake. I call it Town Lake, as that was the name until the former first lady (Lady Bird Johnson) died in 2007 (yes, she lived that long). They have a nice running trail that goes on both sides. If you run... this is your trail.
• If the weather is good go have drinks on the 2nd story outdoor patio at the Steven F Austin hotel (7th and Congress AV). this is my favorite place to drink beer or wine on a good day. Also there is an outdoor bar in the new Marriott Hotel (2nd and Congress).  And the bar in the Driskill Hotel has a cool copper ceiling..check it out.
• Take the Duck Tour. Yes, many cities have these now... but Austin's has been around as long as I remember. You get to see a lot of thing.

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There you have it folks.  This will keep you busy, but my list only scratches the surface. 

Welcome to all my PCMA Friends!!!  Austin is a wonderful and weird city. Enjoy the food, party feeling, and the super nice people. Buy lots of stuff (we appreciate the economic boost).  

Get up early on Monday and Tuesday at Convening Leaders and attend the morning orientation (I am leading this session both days... come say hello and start your day with some motivation, education, and I promise you will meet some new people.  Both sessions are different, so come to one or both).

Have A Great Experience at Convening Leaders

thom singer

www.ThomSinger.com

My Experience at the NSA CSP/CPAE Summit

Last weekend was the National Speakers Association "CSP/CPAE SUMMIT" at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

The small (77 people) conference was a series of mastermind discussions in large and small groups with other Certified Speaking Professionals (CSPs). I had the honor to be the co-chair (and the master of ceremonies) for this event.

(Do not think for a minute that being up in front of a crowd of speakers is not scary. Speakers are a tough crowd. I will admit to being a little nervous about this one).

Even with responsibility in the running of the event, I still was able to participate in the conversations about trends in the meetings industry and ways to impact our individual businesses. The list of things I need to be doing differently is very robust.

We had several video interviews with experienced meeting professionals who talked about how the business of meetings is currently undergoing major changes, and what this means for the speakers they put on stage. Association and corporate events are facing lots of pressure to reinvent the experience they are delivering for attendees, and the speakers are intimately integrated into that experience.  We all need to be having this discussion no matter what industry we work in, as change is always going to happen.

We also heard from a university researcher about what motivates people to participate in group situations.  His area of study began with decline in participation in some churches, while others thrived.  However the data matches closely with the Meetings Industry.  Talk about having to look at the world differently, this guy was a highlight of the whole weekend.

There was candid discussions about how speakers need to modify our delivery, marketing, audience engagement, and interaction with the planning committees as the new rules for events looms on the horizon. Nobody wants to be Blockbuster in a Netflix World.

I was reminded by being part of this event that is is a good thing to be involved in your industry association (no matter what you do for a living). Engagement can have deep value when you get past your own "self" and "ego" and become part of a community.  Volunteering showed me a whole new side to the organization and many of its members.

An association, like any group, will have a variety of people and a wide-range of personalities. I found that when I remember that I am not the smartest person in the room the best ideas come my way.  Being open to a variety of points of view is key if you do not want to feel like you are always fighting an uphill battle.

A higher understanding and respect for those who plan events also became evident.  Spending a year working on The Summit with my co-chair and the NSA Staff person (who is amazing) was an eye opening experience. There is so much to do to ensure a positive culture at a multi-day event, and there is no way any event professional will please everyone.  You have to find your vision for the whole experience and move ahead the best you can.  

The CSP / CPAE Summit allowed me to grow as a professional speaker and as a person. I was inspired and challenged both in my role as co-chair, but also as part of the tribe of CSPs. There is a lot of gratitude inside me for the people who were present at this conference.   While I am sure that different people had any number of personal experiences, I hope they all feel inspired from this gathering.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Interactive Presentations At Conferences... Have We Gone Too Far?

Have we gone too far with speakers forcing the audience members talk to their neighbors every seven minutes?  Is touching your neighbor's elbow really and saying "you can do it" what adult learning is all about?  

While interaction and audience engagement is paramount to learning and the retention of information, is it the magic bullet to make keynotes and breakout sessions awesome? If the speaker is not skilled at leading discussions and creating an engaging atmosphere, their talks become choppy and the activities become forced. 

Interaction for the sake of interaction is not necessarily creating better learning environments. There is so much more to being effective than scheduling times to make people turn to their neighbors and bare their soul. While I am not disputing the value of having the audience involved in the learning, my own experiences as a student have shown that a passionate and enthusiastic teacher is also important.  While we in the meetings business are talking a lot about audience participation, we need to have higher expectations of the speakers we put on stage. Experience presenting, a desire to impact the audience, and a passion to inspire are often overlooked in the selection process.

A speaker who captivates an audience does not have to follow a pre-set path of interactive games. Sometimes it seems committees are less interested in the skill of a speaker if he has submitted a well written learning objective filled proposal. 

I was recently in a convention break-out session where the speaker had the audience fill out a worksheet.  The speaker, to encourage full disclosure in personal answers, told the crowd to write down whatever they were thinking.... and that she would not make them share their answers with their neighbors.  The whole room burst into applause (I mean honest cheering), as every other session at this event was more about chatting at tables than hearing from speakers.

Is it possible we have gone too far with the need to make every talk be about sharing from the crowd?  Could a happy medium be what people really want in their conference attendee experience?  Before you attack me for asking this question (and as I write this I can feel some experts dismissing my thoughts because the do not agree with their own beliefs), ask yourself if we have not seen other concepts become hot trendy issues that later level out to the reality.

I am not saying "no interaction" (please do not think that is what I am writing about), but instead get speakers involved early to understand what this means and work with them to create activities that help their overall presentation be memorable.

My own memories of learning while attending conferences come from a level of excitement and energy from the teacher / speaker and their commitment to the audience (think back to high school - which teachers made a difference in your life? I bet they were the ones who were them most committed to helping you succeed). 

I like audience engagement exercises, and use them in my own talks, but this has become the buzzword in the event world.  A meeting organizer recently asked me how many interactive activities I would have in a 45 minute keynote?  My answer of "one or two, depending on the talk" (remember, this is the kick off keynote at 8:00 AM, not a workshop) was answered with "we require all speakers to insert an activity every seven minutes or we will not hire them.  Ummmm, what?  I asked a few more questions and she said her boss attended a seminar the month before and learned this would improve their event.  Not sure one way or the other, but I think the issue is deeper than games in the talks.  

Let's all work together to set the tone for conferences where people learn more and have positive experiences that lead to them coming back year after year.  Creating powerful learning experiences takes more than telling your neighbor they are a winner. There are many variables that go into creating an impact as a speaker, trainer or other person who is ready to teach. Engagement activities are just part of the very complicated answer.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

***Thom Singer is a professional master of ceremonies and keynote speaker.  He is known as "The Conference Catalyst" for how the way he sets the tone for corporate and association events.  www.ThomSinger.com 

Keynote Speaker Canceled - What Do I Do?

Keynote Speaker Canceled?  

The first thing to do if you found this post because you are in a situation where you speaker canceled is to call me at (512) 970-0398.  Maybe I am available to come and speak to your event, or maybe I know another experienced presenter who can fill in.  

The key is not to panic.  There are lots of things you can do that will still allow you to have an awesome event that will have a lasting impact on your event's attendees.

While it is rare that speakers cancel, this does happen from time to time.  While there is no excuse good enough for the meeting planner, I have known of speakers who have had travel issues with airlines. weather, been in car accidents, gotten the flu, calendared the wrong date, or had a family emergency. Life happens.

A speaker no-show is more common for small groups that are not paying the presenter or use local executives for their program.  Professionals make their living serving the client and will move mountains and part the oceans to be at the event.  Because professional speakers work with meeting planners everyday they understand and respect all the nuances that go into executing a meeting.  Also, professionals (especially those who are active in the meeting business and who see speaking as part of that industry) often have friends who are also speakers. A good reason to work with those who are active in the National Speakers Association is that they will have access to thousands of peers. 

I have seen events of all sizes scramble at the last minute to fill an open slot in their agenda.  Below are four things you can do if your speaker cancels at the last minute and you have tried calling me (or someone) to help you find a replacement. 

(These apply for both local business club luncheons or a large multi-day industry conferences):

1.  Always have a Plan B.  I have worked with several organizations who have my phone number on speed dial in case of a need for a last-minute speaker.  While you might not think this would be something that would happen very often, I have filled in seven times in the last four years (last minute can mean a few days in before the event, several hours in advance, or once I was pulled from the audience to deliver a 45 minute keynote).

Savvy professional speakers also have a network of industry friends they can recommend who can step in at the last minute if a problem occurs. While you never want to get that call from your speaker saying they are too ill to speak to your audience, if they have already found a fantastic solution it will make your day much better.  (Speakers who are members of the National Speakers Association can tap into this network no matter where in the world they are scheduled to speak).

2.  Look to your event agenda, past speakers or future speakers.  A multi-day industry event will have a full docket of speakers who will already be present.  Look to see whose program could be up-graded from a break-out to a keynote.  If it is a break-out session you need to fill, see if the keynote speaker has more information that can be delivered as a "booster shot" to those who might want more following his or her main stage program (some speakers will charge you for the extra presentation, but most will be happy to step in and help you out in your time of need).

If it is a local business luncheon, look at your list of past speakers you have had over the last two years and see if you can bring one of them back for an encore presentation.  Since they already know the audience and the venue, they might be comfortable filling in with little notice.

Additionally, maybe a future speaker would be willing to come in and do his talk early.  Some people might not be able to do this from a preparation stand-point, but asking is always a good idea.

3.  Create a round-table lab.  Your audience is full of brilliant people.   Select two or three topic questions that are cutting-edge and involve timely issues.  Get someone on the board or planning committee to be the Master of Ceremonies and explain openly and honestly about how the speaker could not be there.  Next proclaim this to be a fantastic and unique opportunity to crowd source knowledge and best-practices.  Make the audience the heroes.  Then share the discussion topics, having each table elect a discussion leader.  Every few minutes the MC will encourage a new question be bantered about at the tables.  During the last 20 minutes of the meeting each table reports to the whole the best thoughts shared in their group.

4.  Make it a networking opportunity.  Turn the speaker-less meeting into a "Networking Speed Dating Bonanza" by encouraging people make more contacts.  Extend the reception time, and once seated for the meal have everyone introduce themselves around their table.  When dessert is served encourage everyone to move to a new seat in the room.

A main reason people attend business events is for the "networking opportunities", and most meeting planners admit that no matter how much time they schedule for people to mingle, they do not do a good job of it.  Make this open time powerful by facilitating introductions and connections. 

Leadership is paramount to success in this situation.  If you confidently communicate to the attendees that the meeting will still have an equal or greater impact, then they will follow.  If you are timid about the changes to the program being positive, then they are lost.

If you found this article from a search while you are in a panic... I wish you luck, but I am confident you can and will find the right solution for your event.

Have A Great Day

thom singer
512-970-0398

#Eventprofs --- Take Your Conference Content to a Podcast

An exciting part of my work lately (as "The Conference Catalyst") is working with associations that want to take their conference content and use it to create a podcast.  There as so many ways to do this, and each group has different needs, but the cool thing is how affordable it can be for an event to morph content into the world of iTunes and Stitcher.

For some time I have been adding interviews of key stakeholders at events (speakers, board members, attendees, vendors, etc....) to my client offerings.  Early on I would use these high content chats as episodes for my own podcast: "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do", but now clients can create their own on-going shows that are branded around their own association, company or the annual event.

Do you want to explore creating a podcast for your organization?  It is neither difficult nor expensive to create your own show. As podcasts continue to grow in popularity, now is the time to capture your audience.

Call me anytime an we can brainstorm ideas.  I like it when bold and entrepreneurial meeting planners want to chat about creative conference ideas.  They don't need to be my clients or ever hire me to have a call.  I learn so much from chatting with meeting professionals that I am happy to share ideas and see where the information goes.  So often people do not reach out, for fear of bothering people... but if you want to chat up this idea, I promise it is not going to bother me!!! 512-970-0398.

I believe that a great conference can lend itself to becoming the foundation for an ongoing podcast that will keep your audience engaged all year long. This is an interesting concept worthy of exploration!!!

Have A Great Day

thom singer
(512)970-0398

Meetings Business and Learning From Each Other

I am honored to be part of the "Meetings Industry".  The people who work in this business are wonderful souls, hard working, helpful, and entrepreneurial.  

Each month I write an article for the MPI (Meeting Professionals International) Texas Hill Country Chapter Newsletter as a way to serve my industry.  I am a proud member of this chapter and of MPI.

This month's article is about how people in this business learn from each other:

http://www.mpithcc.org/index.php/community/musings-on-meetings/118-learning-from-others-in-the-biz

Learning From Others in “The Biz”

 

The meetings business is great because of the people. The vast numbers of professionals it takes to produce successful events, including planners, hoteliers, venue operators, transportation companies, caterers, speakers, entertainers, etc., means that we are all constantly exposed to smart individuals – that means we should always be learning.

We can all learn from one another. There is value in the friendships we create across the different types of businesses that populate our industry. With each conference we can and should discover new ideas and knowledge. While I invest a lot of time with other speakers (I'm active in the National Speakers Association and have a mastermind group with four peers who share best practices), I also know that those who work in other disciplines in the meetings business are some of the best people to turn to when trying to find ways to improve my business offerings. As a speaker it would be easy for me to only think of meetings from the viewpoint of the conference agenda and how I fit into the meeting. But the more time I spend with other friends in this industry, the better informed I become in understanding what makes a great meeting and how my little piece fits into the whole.

Nancy Vogl, owner of Nancy Vogl Speakers Bureau, agrees. She has spent decades working to connect speakers to the right events and has found the key to success rests in the relationships she has forged over the years. These relationships have proved to be critical not just in regards to winning more business, but in overcoming the ups and downs that all business owners face over time. The turbulent economy, 9/11, and the changes in the meetings and speaking business have thrown many of us curveballs, but Nancy Vogl keeps adapting. "We have so many resources in the meetings industry, people I can turn to for guidance and advice ... there is no excuse for not being successful," says Vogl. "With all we can learn from each other, and the number of supportive people who are always willing to share ideas and best practices, this industry keeps me energized and growing."

Stormi Boyd, CMP, CMM, the director of professional services at Red Velvet events adds, "I find it very rewarding to work with other event professionals. In this industry we work so closely together that you develop real friendships. This makes it easy to quickly call on each other for advice." Boyd says she often reaches out to hotelier industry friends for guidance and insight into policies and contracts, even when their property may not be directly impacted. "And the relationships work in the opposite direction as well. I was just recently utilized by a director of sales as a test subject for their newest sales associate. The fear of the new sales associate making mistakes with potential clients was mitigated because she was able to 'practice' with a live person who regularly produces events."

Boyd recommends finding a mentor in the industry, but not necessarily in your same function. Her mentor is in the audiovisual business and has far more years in the industry. "I can reach out to my mentor for just about any question that might come up. The ability to receive reliable advice and answers quickly can be a game changer in the life cycle of an event."

As we go into the New Year, take the time to review your network and determine if you have established the right relationships to ensure you have access to those who can help you learn and grow in 2015. The good news is that almost everyone in the events business is friendly and will be happy to help you if you reach out to them.

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst," a speaker who mixes meaningful content with a high energy presentation style that results in audiences gaining new knowledge and taking action on what they have learned. Thom is also the host of the "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do" podcast. He can be reached through www.ThomSinger.com or (512) 970-0398.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

5 Reasons To Hire A Master of Ceremonies

A friend, who is the CEO of a tech firm, asked me why his company should hire a professional Master of Ceremonies to host their "Users Conference" instead of having the VP of Marketing (who has a "great personality") serve in this role.  They have had varied levels of success by having their own people run the show, but he liked the idea that his employees did not cost him any additional fees.

Yes, he was thinking of hiring me to weave the "Conference Catalyst" program into the role as EmCee -- but my answer had nothing to do with if I was chosen for this conference.  Having an MC is a smart move.  The company is investing a lot of time and money in the conference, and the "face of the conference" is not a place to cut costs. I have found that events that have "just anyone" serve in this role often come up short on maximizing "conference attendee experience".

Five Reasons for A Professional EmCee

1.  Experience Matters.  Seasoned event professionals hire a Master of Ceremonies for the same reason that experienced keynote speakers are selected (I did not say "professional speaker", as there are many great speakers who do not charge a fee.  But speakers who have not delivered a minimum of 25 keynote level presentations -or more - could fail to achieve the desired result of content and charisma).

Being the MC involves a different set of skills from giving a speech, and thus having someone who has a great personality and some presentation experience does not guarantee they can oversee the energy, flow and transitions of your show.  A good MC will set the tone for the whole event.

2.  Conflicting Responsibilities.  The VP of Sales and Marketing (or other team member) has many responsibilities at the company's customer conference.  They need to always be "on" for clients, and have to be able to make time for any variety of conversations.  The MC role is both time consuming and emotionally intense.  Thinking that a senior level employee can juggle all that they need to do at a conference while also being the on-stage host means that their efforts will not be 100% effective.

3.  A Fresh Perspective.  Company or association events are often overrun with "insiders" about whom audience members already have pre-set opinions.  Reputations and past interactions (positive and negative) can cloud the way an audience views your Master of Ceremonies.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it takes a way the fresh edge that a professional MC can bring to the event.

4.  The Event is NOT a Commercial.  Smart organizations resist the temptation to make the focus of their event about the company that is planning the conference.  When your MC is from the executive team, or board of directors, you are indirectly placing the spotlight on the company.  When you have an outside MC it will move the attention to the audience experience.

5.  Keeping On Schedule.  The most important thing the MC can do is ensure the event runs on time and has the right energy and "vibe".  Too many speakers (especially those who are not professionals) have little regard to the importance of timing.  An experienced MC knows how to set expectations of the allotted schedule for all speakers, and can politely "give them the hook" should they go long.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

Innovation Lessons for the Meetings Industry

The March 2014  Fast Company Magazine is the annual issue that lists "The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies".  I like Fast Company and the way they cover the speed of business - - - their magazine is an inspiration no matter what industry you work (it is not just for those in tech start-ups).

The opening letter from the editor covered "12 Innovation Lessons for 2014".  As I read Robert Safian's piece, I realized that his message was indirectly screaming to the events and meetings industry (NOTE: Austin's iconic super event, South by Southwest, was number 12 on the list of the 50 Most Innovative Companies). 

Ten of his twelve were direct suggestions that event professionals (#eventprofs) should consider in planning their next conference, seminar, meeting, convention or other gathering (#10 spoke to "Made in China, and #11 spoke to how Apple is the big winner in Apps -- and while one could stretch these connections, I did not include them in my post as there was not a clear tie).

Here is the link to Safian's opening letter.  Below is my interpretation for event organizers.

10 Innovation Lessons (Morphed from Fast Company 
Magazine) for Meetings and Events
by Thom Singer

1.  Exceptional is Expected. People are tired of the cookie-cutter conference with the same industry speakers.  If you are not engaging people with both cutting edge education and an interactive experience they may not come back year over year.   This means finding presentations that are more than "Sage from the Stage" experts.  Event attendees want to be challenged and to think differently (and take actions).  Filling speaking spots with anyone who can cover a topic will not create anything unique.  People are looking to learn in ways beyond the lecture, but not every speaker is experienced enough to deliver the goods that audience wants to experience.

2.  Innovation is Episodic.  Not everything you do at your event will be amazing.  But if you are not  introducing new elements or ideas each year then you will quickly become stale.  Some of the unique content and experiences you provide will miss the mark in "wowing" the crowd.  However, if you take no risks, you will have no rewards.  Shake things up and let your community share in the grand experiments.  When you do find the right mix, the buzz about your event will go viral.

3.  Making Money Matters.  Your event is a micro-business.  In a few cases the event is designed as an expense for the hosting company, but usually there needs to be a profit for the event to repeat each year (or at least a minimal expense). As an event professional you should see yourself as an entrepreneur who is growing a company.  There are hard choices that must me made in event design, but the end goal should always be enhancing the conference attendee experience.  Review expenses and find ways to work with your agenda, vendors, sponsors, etc... to ensure that your not flushing away your profits in areas that are not of impacting your attendees.  

4.  Sustainability Has Found A New Gear.  Several years ago "going green" in meetings was mostly a grand idea of hope or hype.  These days there are many ways that a conference can lower it's footprint in use of energy, recycling, sourcing local foods, reducing waste, etc...  Making your conference more eco-friendly is now "must-have".

5.  Unlocking Global Talent Unlocks Possibility.  Looking beyond domestic standards for ideas of structuring conferences can be exciting.  Asia, Europe, South America, Africa all have conferences - and in many places they are doing some interesting things.  Seek inspiration from how they set up their agendas, venues and other aspects of event management.  Looking beyond the United States to source speakers, sponsors, vendors, and attendees will also help you create a unique experience. (Discover the Global Speakers Federation for more ideas on international speakers).

6.  Passion is Underrated.  There is nothing that impacts a conference more directly than excited attendees.  But in planning events we are often too focused on the content over the experience.  Nobody walks out of a boring lecture fired up, no matter how smart the speaker or how great his content.  If he or she does not have passion that is transferred to the audience, it is just a data dump.  Move past the safety net cliche of "Content is King".  Yes, content is important, but the "Conference Attendee Experience" is king, queen, parliament, and the treasury.  Passion matters: Planners need passion.  Sponsors need passion.  Presenters need to share their passion.  Attendees want to find passion.  Make it happen or have a blah event.

7. Conflict Isn't Required.  Changing up the delivery style of events in old-school institutions often brings push back and fear.  But making events better should not cause conflict.  Everyone in the host organization should have the same goal of curating an amazing event.  Ongoing conversations about desired outcomes and educating involved parties as to new trends in events can change minds.  Also, being unique does not mean that all things have to be different.  Innovate at annual events by adding more elements without throwing away all of the traditional aspects of the event.

8.  Happy Customers Make You Happy.  Nothing is better than happy event attendees.  When participants review your conference by saying it was the best event ever (or in the last several years), you know you have done it right.  

9.  Software Beats Hardware.  We live in a digitally enabled world.  If your event is not utilizing online registration options, mobile apps, and social media.... few attendees look at you as progressive.  Too many organizations continue to tell attendees to "put you phones away", yet many take notes on these devices and are sharing information online.  Do not run from the realities of our social media crazy world - embrace it.  (NOTE:  Too many events are being undermined by mobile devises and it is causing the networking elements to fail because attendees are always looking at their phones.  Finding the balance here is key... and it can be accomplished). 

10. Dreaming Big Isn't Folly: It's Required.  If you want to have a great event, you have to think beyond the standard conference formats of the past.  Immediately after last years event you should get your organizing team together with your speakers, sponsors, vendors and select attendees to brainstorm ways to enhance the experience.  Collaborating with these partners will expose you to fresh ideas.  "Event Professionals" are not only the planners, but anyone who works in and around the meetings business.  Hoteliers, caterers, speakers, etc.... all see hundreds of events each year, so engage them as part of your "dream team" and you will find new ways to create a "wow" experience. 

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

Death of Association and Corporate Meetings Was Highly Exagerated

I discovered a page of handwritten notes I took in 2007 about the future of trade association and corporate live meetings.  I cannot find the source of the notes, but I remember it was a telephone conference call.  I listened and scribbled notes as the expert on the phone foretold the death of live gathering and the falling need for professional speakers on stage.

The thought was the internet was going to remove the need to gather.  Content delivery could be streamlined and education would become a remote experience.  I was just beginning my journey as a professional speaker and I wrote "yikes" the margin of my notes.  As a new speaker I remember wondering about the opportunities that lay ahead.

Flash forward seven years and the meetings industry is strong. My experiences with association and corporate meetings is that attendees are hungry to make live connections.  If content delivery was the only goal then meetings would surely die out.  But people want to be part of a community, to be engaged and to be inspired.  Live events create "mini-societies" that cannot be duplicated online.

While there are many big changes happening everyday in the world of live meetings, there are also more opportunities than I could have imagined in 2007.  It is fun and challenging to be part of the meetings industry, but everyday I am grateful that I get to be involved with hard-working and creative people.  Every meeting has the potential to the world, as when people make connections with each other, the outcome can be amazing.

Few people realize how meetings impact the economy, but a 2009 study (spearheaded by the Convention Industry Council) showed there are 1.8 million meetings and conventions in the United States annually and have a $106 Billon Dollar impact on GDP.  My guess is those numbers are bigger in 2014.

Below is a new commercial from Meeting Professionals International highlighting the power of live gatherings and how they stimulate economic growth.



The death of meetings and conventions was highly exaggerated.

Have A Great Day

thom singer


Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

Can A Speaker Be Too Interactive?

There is a welcome movement in the meetings industry toward "Interactive Presentations".  A speaker should no longer be a "Sage from the Stage", but instead someone who engages the audience and contributes to the conference attendee experience.  However, sometimes it is being overdone.  Too many speakers who are calling themselves "interactive" are not doing much - other than telling the audience members to talk to their neighbors.

Being interactive for the sake of being interactive defeats the purpose.  Audiences at conferences want to participate and share their ideas, but not all speakers have developed the skills necessary to make their interaction a useful experience.  

It is also important to remember that a keynote presentation is not a workshop. While I am in favor of interactive keynotes, some are going too far and undermining the power of a great keynote address to set the tone for an event.  

Sometimes less is more.  Many are in favor of the changes in what is being expected from conference speakers (me too), and most of these changes are for the greater good.  

When an idea gains traction too many try to cram it into all situations. No two conferences are the same, and thus what is needed from speakers cannot be treated in cookie-cutter format.  

Speakers should not "data dump" fact and figures, nor should they mistakenly position themselves as the sole expert in the room (the audience is full of experts, too).  But audiences cannot spend the whole time being asked to talk to their neighbor, as the people who are seated next to those with nothing of value to discuss will be left out of the learning.  

I recently witnessed a speaker who was "too interactive".  He did not give much to the audience, but instead facilitated a social coffee klatch during his keynote.  Most people did not find value in the experience, but the organizer kept bragging on the session later in the day as an example of the "modern keynote".  I am still not sure if the organizer was in the same room as the rest of the audience!  Good in concept only goes so far.... there still needs to be a positive mix of content and style delivered or it is a waste of time.

A keynote still needs a "Key Note".  The tone is set by the speaker no matter what style is used to lead a session.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

5 Ways To Make Your Conference About the Attendees

My friend Dave Lutz (CEO of Velvet Chainsaw) wrote a great article on the PCMA Convene Magazine titled "5 Ways to Make Your Conference Marketing About Attendee Benefits".  It is an important reminder for event professionals, as how you position your event directly impacts if people show up and participate in the conference.

His writing inspired me to think about what then happens at the actual event.  We should all follow his advice in how the marketing should be for the attendee (not for the planning organization), but the focus on the audience should not stop in the promotions.

Here are my thoughts (and hat tip to Dave Lutz, as some of the tips are similar to his marketing ideas):

5 Ways To Make Your Conference About the Attendee

1.  It is about them, not you.  Too often the focus of opening or closing sessions at events is dedicated to thanking their board, organizing committee, etc....  While recognizing people for their efforts to the organization is important, people will never ask "could you have made that part where you bring every volunteer on stage even longer?".  Respect the audiences time and do not bore them with internal back patting. 

All activities on the agenda should be filtered through the "Is this about the audience" filter.

2.  Why did they attend?  There is a lot of attention put on content, but if attending an event was only about the content then a live event is not the best delivery mechanism.  Yes, people want high level learning, but they also want to have an experience and network with peer.  Often these do not get the true level of importance in a survey, as it does not come off as sounding as "professional" as talking about the content.  Do not hide behind the currently popular mantra of "Content is King", as that misses the whole picture.

Discover what people really want.

3.  The speakers set the tone.  The general sessions and breakout sessions have a profound impact on the experience of the attendees.  These are shared experiences that impact the "mini-society" that is created at a conference. A speaker is not a commodity item chosen to fill a slot on the agenda. Those who are selected to present need to be vetted a great speakers who can share content and inspire.  

Just because someone is smart or has done something cool - it does not mean they belong on stage.

4.  Technology is great, but not if it hurts live connections.  We live in a technology and social media crazy world.  These tools are amazing and can have a positive impact on allowing people access to information and about each other.  But sometimes the app distracts from the live experiences.  If people are glued to their smart phones on every break, they are not talking to each other.

Tech does not replace the power of the impromptu hallway conversations that happen when people engage in a live conversation.

5.  Create a networking culture.  Networking does not happen by accident.  While attendees report they  go to live events for the "networking opportunities", too often they fail to make the types of connections they desire.  They spend their time with co-workers of surfing information on their smart phones.  To create a culture for networking you must do more than have an open bar at the first-timers reception.  There needs to be ample time during breaks and there needs to be a "lounge" setting where people can easily meet and converse.  You also need to educate the people about how to maximize their conference experience.

Do not assume that people will network on their own.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

The Speaker As Part Of The Meetings Industry

While I have participated in several live "TweetChats", I have never before been the main guest.  This week (Tuesday, September 3, 2013) I am jumping in to share my thoughts as the featured guest on #NSAChat at 12:00 (noon) Central Time.  #NSAChat is a weekly Twitter Chat for those in the business of speaking, and hosted by my friend and fellow National Speakers Association member Eliz Greene.

The topic this week is "The Speaker as Part of the Meeting Industry".  Since creating the Conference Catalyst program I have come to view the role of the speaker at any event as greater than their time on stage.  Speakers set the tone for conferences, trade shows, conventions, seminars and other gatherings.  They are in a unique position to partner with meeting planners to help create a better conference attendee experience.

Those who present at meetings can be a valuable resource before, during and after the event.  The best ones work with the planners at all stages to help have a positive impact on the conference.

Speakers should also be involved with industry organizations (not just when they are speaking).  I am a big believer that those who speak to membership associations should also belong their own industry group(s).  The National Speakers Association (NSA) is one, but there is also Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), etc...  

In my involvement with my local MPI Chapter I have donated programs to their silent auction at the annual banquet, and I am now writing a monthly column for their e-newsletter.

There are many changes that are happening in the way meetings are being run and the expectations of how speakers engage the audience are always being discussed in industry forums.  Interactive presentations are becoming more popular, and planners are looking for unique programs that challenge their attendees.  Any speaker that wants to remain relevant should actively follow industry trends.

Other vendors in the Meeting Industry are very active in supporting the causes of the industry, and often attend (and sponsor) events and conferences..  Hotels, transportation companies, florists, outside meeting planning firms, printers, audio visual suppliers, meeting facilities, etc... are visible in the industry, but not as many speakers are present at the table.  

Please join us on the #NSAChat if you have opinions or thoughts on the topic.  Added bonus -- TweetChat.com seems to be back online....which makes participation in a chat much easier.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

Is Your Meeting Focused On The Attendee?

In our busy world we invest time judiciously.  Attending an event is a serious commitment for many professionals, as it will take them out of the office for hours or days.  Nobody participates in a conference, trade show, convention or other business meeting hoping it will waste their time. 

Those who plan meetings are among the hardest working and most dedicated people in the business world. They put in long hours and an extreme level of detail to ensure a positive experience. Nobody organizes an event hoping it will be a waste of time.

The focus of all decisions must be on the "Conference Attendee Experience".  What seems right ahead of time in an office far from the site may not be best for those in the crowd once the event begins.  There are so many small details and little room for error.  Gone are the days of taking last year's agenda and filling in the blanks.

To Have Outstanding Meetings:

Strategize Innovation:  The meetings business is evolving, and there is a lot written about how to recreate the way learning is structured.  People learn differently, and thus having only traditional lecture format keynotes and breakouts is no longer enough.  The agenda needs to have a variety of programs, breaks, networking opportunities, entertainment and downtime built in to the agenda allows for everyone to maximize their experience.  

Organizers should be open to fresh ideas, but not blindly follow the hottest recommendations they read in industry publications.  Each meeting is unique and gathering ideas from committee members, attendees, and vendors is paramount for success.  Brainstorming and strategizing desired outcomes for the event will open up a variety of options.  Speakers and other other activities are nor plug-and-play commodity items.  The same-old/same-old schedule will never create an innovative program.

Nurture Goals:  The event organizers have goals for the meeting, but so do the attendees.  To achieve outstanding events the priorities of those who are going to be in the audience must be understood and prioritized.  People come to conferences for a variety of reasons and humans are complex creatures, thus they do not always clearly articulate their motivation.

Surveys only go so far, and thus you need to be having ongoing dialogues with participants before, during and after the event to gain insight into what impacts their experience.   People will tell you more about what resonates with them when they know you are working to support their goals.  If they believe the host organization has their own agenda, they will shut down and go through the motions.  Your goals have to be synced with their goals, and they have to know it.

Encourage Relationships:   A top reason people attend business or association events is for the "networking opportunities", however once they arrive they often fail to make the type of meaningful relationships they desire.  Creating a culture for better connections at events does not happen by accident.  There must be a commitment that goes beyond the open bar at the Welcome Reception.  People need to be given permission to engage with each other or they will fall into the routine of sitting with co-workers or passing time on their phones or tablets.

Cliques will occur at conferences (as they do in any social situation), and those who attend for years develop their own circles of friends.  But we need to remember that a conference is a mini-society and the social interactions are paramount to the learning.  Many people get the most valuable information from the impromptu "hallway conversations" that occur with others they meet.  If there is little opportunity for people to engage, then the overall experience is limited.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com