tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38860643625915183572024-02-19T18:37:47.938-05:00PCMA Convene<b>The magazine of the Professional Convention Management Association:</b>Michelle Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01854826062167714816noreply@blogger.comBlogger442125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-36120922749132386892012-08-16T13:47:00.000-04:002012-08-16T13:47:17.129-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>We've relocated! </b></div>
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Please visit <i>Convene</i>'s current blog at <a href="http://pcmaconvene.com/">pcmaconvene.com</a></div>
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Katie Kervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17076541717081456759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-51367748363039435542012-06-21T10:12:00.002-04:002012-06-21T10:12:59.751-04:00#TeachingTwitter<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Aaron Hammer demystifies Twitter</i></td></tr>
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In a recent <a href="http://content.yudu.com/A1wpej/ConveneMay2012/resources/42.htm">column</a>, we talked with industry experts about
the fact that just because attendees aren’t using a conference hashtag or
Twitter doesn’t mean they aren’t interested in social media. It could be that
attendees just need a little hands-on help in using the tools.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last week, at the <a href="http://www.mdrt.org/2012am/">2012 Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Annual Meeting</a> in Anaheim, Calif., MDRT not only set up a laptop-equipped "Tech Zone" as a learning lab on the
exhibit floor, but Liana Blum, MDRT’s website coordinator, found the perfect
tutors: other MDRT members.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Who better to tell others about the benefits of using
Twitter at a meeting than someone already actively doing it? Blum recruited more than a dozen of the association’s most prolific Twitter users to volunteer for
short blocks of time during several "Tweet Team" sessions throughout the
four-day meeting. And a big plasma screen showing a live Twitter stream featuring the conference
hashtag provided instant gratification to the new Twitter users.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Aaron Lee Hammer, an MDRT attendee from St. Cloud, Minn.,
was both enthusiastic and patient as he guided first-time Twitter users through
the process of choosing a handle, signing up on Twitter, and sending out a
first-time tweet, using #MDRT2012. (“That’s you, my man,” Hammer told one Twitter newbie, pointing to the screen.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hammer likes to help others (volunteering is the “MDRT way,”
Blum said), but he also has his own reasons to help others MDRT attendees learn how to converse via Twitter, he told me. “The more people who use
Twitter at the meeting, the more I know about what other members think are the
best ideas."<o:p></o:p></div>Barbara Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16865053013591978171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-13710731176676555382012-06-12T15:14:00.000-04:002012-06-12T15:14:52.218-04:00My Alamo Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm here at the PCMA Education Conference in San Antonio. It's my first time in this great city, and I didn't want to leave here without making a trip to see the Alamo. Little did I realize that it is just a quick walk from our hotel, the Marriott San Antonio Rivercenter. Like many tourists who come upon the No.1–visited State Shrine in Texas for the first time, I was a little surprised by the site's scale. It looms so large in our American consciousness that the actual place — in the heart of a bustling downtown — seems much smaller than I imagined.<br />
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I thought about that when "Practical Futurist" Michael Rogers (<a href="http://content.yudu.com/A1wpej/ConveneMay2012/resources/75.htm">see our interview with him in the May issue</a>) spoke at this morning's general session. Staying on top of the latest technologies and figuring out how to implement them to benefit our industry seems overwhelming, given our growing day-to-day tasks. (As a former colleague used to say, "It's hard to build the house when you're washing the windows.") Rogers acknowledged that operational duties trump research and development — but R&D is critical to innovation. He recommended that you designate someone within your organization be removed (perhaps on a regular basis) from the operational side of things to talk to people and search the web — to do the actual work of seeking out and understanding new tools and technologies.<br />
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Designating someone to focus on that on a regular basis feels doable. And for me, something that I imagined to be such a huge thing seemed to shrink down to a manageable scale.Michelle Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01854826062167714816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-82379715621995831592012-06-12T13:31:00.002-04:002012-06-12T13:44:37.242-04:00The Cure for Drowning<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D0nm_nk5l5g" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-rosenbaum/">Steven Rosenbaum</a> diagnosed the problem of digital overload at the 2012 DigitalNow conference, and offered a cure: associations. We are drowning in data, he said, and associations, with their deep knowledge of their organizations' interests and needs, are in a unique position to serve as filters and curators of information. "Content is no longer king," Rosenbaum said. "Curation is king."<br />
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The way forward is filled with challenges, but for those associations that get it, there are rewards, he wrote in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-rosenbaum/will-associations-become_b_1492143.html">The Huffington Post</a>.<br />
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I think [associations have] got the secret sauce to win big in the new world of Data Overload. Because publishers are fighting for fractionalized mindshare, while associations are poised to curate with authority. The challenge for them will be, can they build an internal information gathering, curating and distribution workflow that moves at the speed of the real time web?</blockquote>
For more from Rosenbaum, author of <a href="http://curationnation.org/video/Steve-Rosenbaum"><i>Curation Nation</i></a>, see our <a href="http://content.yudu.com/A1x47h/ConveneJune2012/resources/24.htm">story </a>in the June issue of <i>Convene.</i>Barbara Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16865053013591978171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-46158139180256409532012-06-10T14:38:00.000-04:002012-06-13T13:33:47.950-04:00Convene On Site: Maui, HawaiiAloha! <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Now let's
change the world.</b><br />
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For the past six days, I’ve been on a press trip in Maui,
Hawaii, a place I’ve discovered to be one of the most economically and
environmentally diverse places on the globe. Hawaii has always had a long-standing
reputation as being one of the most beautiful places on earth, full of sun,
sand, surf and some of the best people you could hope to meet. But, science?
Not exactly what comes to mind when I picture this paradise. But after this
press trip, it is. There are a plethora of organizations that groups can visit while at a conference in Maui, a potential meetings hotspot for the science and
technology industry. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here is a quick rundown of all the awesome organizations in
Maui that are working to advance our scientific research, enhance our homeland
security, and just generally make this world a better place:<o:p></o:p></div>
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1) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Pacific Biodiesel<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.biodiesel.com/">biodiesel.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How they're changing
the world:</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Owned and operated by husband and wife team Kelly and Bob
King, Pacific Biodiesel, established in 1996, is the leader in biodiesel fuel
production in Hawaii. They house the only 100% biodiesel-ran pump on the
island. They collect used cooking oil from local restaurants and process it so
that it can be used as fuel. Buses on Maui and Oahu, and the ferries to and from Pearl Harbor, are run on 20% biodiesel from their plant. It's a
community-based project and all the fuel remains within the islands — exporting
would cause pollution and waste energy. However, they help countries all over
the world build and operate their own biodiesel plants — paying it forward in a
big way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific Biodiesel plant in Maui. </td></tr>
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Haleakalä Observatory<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/haleakalanew/observatories.shtml">ifa.hawaii.edu/haleakalanew/observatories.shtml</a></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<b>How they’re
changing the world:</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Observatory, stationed at about 10,000 feet on Mt. Haleakala, houses
one of the greatest technological wonders, the largest digital camera in the
world. They have the ability to see and photograph further into space than
almost anyone on the globe. They’ve spotted hundreds of undiscovered
asteroids and deliberated how to change their path so as not to interfere with
earth’s atmosphere or collide with the planet itself. (We were told the methods
they use are vastly different from Bruce Willis in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Armageddon</i>). Ran by the University of Hawaii, the Observatory also
provides great resources for students and amateur astronomers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a name='more'></a>3)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pacific Disaster Center<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><a href="http://pdc.org/">pdc.org</a><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How they’re changing
the world:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The PDC monitors the globe for potential natural disasters,
in addition to helping countries and cities prepare for these catastrophes.
Using satellites and extensive research, they are able to predict how a
disaster will affect an area based off of location, population, infrastructure,
size, and many other factors. That way, when disaster strikes, the world isn’t
so caught off guard and a country is able to better get back on its feet. In a
way, they are the world’s life insurance, informing us of potential risk and
important preventative measures. You are now even able to monitor the world’s
current state in real time through their Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/disasteraware">http://www.facebook.com/disasteraware</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maui High Performance Computing Center<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.mhpcc.hpc.mil/">mhpcc.hpc.mil/</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How they’re changing
the world: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The MHPCC, home to one of the most powerful machines
in the world, provides unparalleled computation resources for the Department of
Defense’s scientific computational needs, assisting with research and wartime
missions. The Center also supports the Directed Energy Directorate’s Maui Space
Surveillance System located atop the 10,000-foot Mt. Haleakala, imaging and
tracking space objects. <i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 15pt;"> </span></i><i><o:p> </o:p></i></div>
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5) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Pelatron<o:p></o:p></div>
<i><a href="http://www.pelatron.com/index.html">pelatron.com</a> </i><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How they’re
changing the world:</b><br />
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This small, Hawaiian owned and operated business was first established
as a way to create jobs for Hawaiians and encourage natives to get involved in
business. This is still a part of their mission. They work to develop
innovative technologies that help advance and enhance a wide range of
businesses and government agencies. Their latest project is NOTM (Network On
The Move), a device connected to military vehicles that helps marines better
navigate battlefields at any time of day or night. Pelatron is a key resource
for the DoD, being ideally positioned to defend the United States and its
Pacific Rim allies against threats to its security.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NirisEZdhvHP8swuT8wrSL3iuv57BqcY3A6HWeceLOA8G3hyphenhyphenjuQbR_WjspyNxDipSkutL9Kwd8ilmTDhZtel_shJ3c_Pvrl0btC-vwA6s8_OeEp1mQaWtET8Zl2PL_wMJBBaZQMGNgDC/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NirisEZdhvHP8swuT8wrSL3iuv57BqcY3A6HWeceLOA8G3hyphenhyphenjuQbR_WjspyNxDipSkutL9Kwd8ilmTDhZtel_shJ3c_Pvrl0btC-vwA6s8_OeEp1mQaWtET8Zl2PL_wMJBBaZQMGNgDC/s320/IMG_0261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
All of these programs work with energy efficiency in mind. Hawaii is
aware that their resources (and the globe’s) are limited, and do everything
they can to preserve and maintain their natural resources, and in turn, their
natural beauty.</div>Sarah Beauchamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314653396904534830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-13428161304288770932012-06-10T10:22:00.000-04:002012-06-12T14:38:33.797-04:00Convene On Site: San Juan, Puerto RicoI'm sitting on my balcony at the San Juan Marriott, winding down this press trip here in Puerto Rico. I didn't know, having never visited Puerto Rico, that the unique aspects of this U.S. commonwealth would combine to create such an amazing experience, hospitality-wise. Puerto Rico is a mix of cultures, of course. Most everyone speaks both English and Spanish, and Latin and Spanish influences are everywhere. But it's also easy to get to, requiring no passport, and all conveniences are here--including the biggest Walgreens in the United States. The Condado area of San Juan is an interesting mix of urban nightlife, restaurants, residential homes, and several large, beachfront hotels like the <a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sjupr-san-juan-marriott-resort-and-stellaris-casino/" target="_blank">San Juan Marriott & Stellaris Casino</a>. This makes it a popular destination for tourists and other groups, but also for local residents. In fact, there were several proms and events going on at the hotel during our stay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLznllhYnyjii38DvxTeWGzvZvB1K1lygWvMZZnE1i_ukpeV73NE0oax3uDWAs3gdcnz9OTgP3N18XCo5dzhYZ6LSSNJEfV7MyI3A97xEci0Ktsbso4v41nac4Ve0OwWC-lm8-woA1buP/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLznllhYnyjii38DvxTeWGzvZvB1K1lygWvMZZnE1i_ukpeV73NE0oax3uDWAs3gdcnz9OTgP3N18XCo5dzhYZ6LSSNJEfV7MyI3A97xEci0Ktsbso4v41nac4Ve0OwWC-lm8-woA1buP/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean view from my room at the San Juan Marriott, Puerto Rico</td></tr>
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This mix between resort-style amenities in an urban setting means that it's easy to reach some of the most popular attractions in the area like horseback/ATV tours, some of Puerto Rico's best restaurants, Old San Juan, and the Barcardi Distillery--all of which we visited during our time here. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiULWL3k9YqeGHcpBpYjBCzk420tUcPRWJZEXhxfQz-UMED5yrrl-NKCRw2PXRKxZ4kLpaHNT4KjwQYzFwAzuq5CWize-HHX61YahPYokdJjGFuo1PZl0kex1SGTA-ZaNiYT0JM_te_wKo/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiULWL3k9YqeGHcpBpYjBCzk420tUcPRWJZEXhxfQz-UMED5yrrl-NKCRw2PXRKxZ4kLpaHNT4KjwQYzFwAzuq5CWize-HHX61YahPYokdJjGFuo1PZl0kex1SGTA-ZaNiYT0JM_te_wKo/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A street in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, where you find a mix of Latin American, Spanish, and even Moorish-influenced architecture</td></tr>
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Because this was my first press trip with <i>Convene</i>, I was interested to see what the other journalists I was traveling with would be curious about as we toured around San Juan. We were a group of writers covering business, group, and meeting travel and destinations, so most of our interests were focused there. But what's great is that the wonderful representatives of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau did not forget that we're visitors to the island too, interested not only in the convention center and various sites (and we saw many great ones), but also in the people and attractions that make Puerto Rico a unique destination.</div>Katie Kervinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17076541717081456759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-85955891731387532872012-06-05T15:34:00.000-04:002012-06-07T10:49:27.944-04:00Un-Quiet Conversation<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_BB6xnrWmnA" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
When I made plans to interview <a href="http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/about-the-author/">Susan Cain</a>, author of <i>Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking</i>, I suggested we meet in a coffee shop that, visually, exudes calm, the kind of place where patrons sip coffee at long wooden tables, surrounded by piles of crusty loaves of bread.<br />
<br />
But, fresh from my reading of Cain's description of optimal environments for introverts — introverts have wide-open channels for stimulation — when I showed up to meet Cain, I became keenly aware of all the racket. Dishes clanked, conversations boomeranged off walls and ceilings, the piped-in classical music seemed intrusive. I could even feel the subway rattling underground.<br />
<br />
Cain was extraordinarily gracious about the distractions and even allowed me to do a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BB6xnrWmnA">short video of her top takeaways for meeting planners</a> about making meetings introvert-friendly.. And because it was really noisy, here's a transcript of what she said:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I think the most important thing for meeting planners to
understand about introverts at a conference … Well, there are really two things. One is that
introverts really do need to recharge, and they are going to be at their best,
at their most energetic, at their most socially open, if they get the time that
they need to take breaks. And so it is not a good idea to encourage everybody
to be going from morning until night. It is actually okay to be able to go back
to your hotel room, or off by yourself to a café for an hour to take the break
that you need. And so that is the first thing. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And then the second one is that
introverts are probably not that excited about breakout groups in the middle of
the session and probably a lot of them feel like they are there to get
information, and they actually want to hear the information from the speaker on
the stage. And they might be less excited about doing a little breakout group
where they chat with their colleague about what they just heard.
There are exceptions to that. It depends on the topic and the
material. But in general, I would be careful about assuming that everybody
enjoys breakout groups. They might act like they are enjoying them because they
know that there is an expectation that they should, but the truth might be
different from the face that they are showing.</blockquote>
You can read more from our conversation about introverts and meeting planning in the June issue of <i>Convene</i>.Barbara Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16865053013591978171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-88836313976533725732012-05-30T19:05:00.002-04:002012-05-31T09:59:20.269-04:00Not-So-Great GoogaMooga: When Inaugural Events are Bashed on the InternetThe weather was ideal for the inaugural <a href="http://www.googamooga.com/">Great GoogaMooga</a>, the first ever “foodie
festival” in Brooklyn on May 19-20. But most attendees would say <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/great-googamooga-not-so-great.html">this
was the only thing that was ideal</a>. Glitches are to be expected with any
inaugural event, however the not-so-great GoogaMooga — that seemed to be ruled by Murphy’s Law on Saturday when I attended — experienced heightened
backlash from attendees via social media. The fact that the event started a
half-hour late, the two-hour-long beverage lines, the mandatory (and confusing)
drink tickets called “GoogaMoola,” the spotty cellphone reception, the high
prices, the lack of shade, and that fact that some vendors ran out of food by 3
p.m. (<a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/05/21/was_extra_mooga_worth_250.php">even
in the V.I.P. section</a>), all combined to make that Saturday a less-than-perfect
affair — and prompted a lot of attendees to take their frustration to the net.
None of these mishaps would go unnoticed, or <a href="http://ny.eater.com/archives/2012/05/the_25_best_tweets_about_the_great_googamooga.php">un-tweeted</a>
— with many references to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hunger
Games</i>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1xP7I0MD5jt18yIpUOwpn7vovadzTKxEVL-r7ldRHEy9vBzHqaZjAssdLdCsNpXWP-VwTVD0udzoXLrtda5AcxJwmYluq4mHFEtH-DwBoh2MGaiAtXqohNDH6Sk1aJTyLpFU3VyWKeUW/s1600/mooga+stage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1xP7I0MD5jt18yIpUOwpn7vovadzTKxEVL-r7ldRHEy9vBzHqaZjAssdLdCsNpXWP-VwTVD0udzoXLrtda5AcxJwmYluq4mHFEtH-DwBoh2MGaiAtXqohNDH6Sk1aJTyLpFU3VyWKeUW/s320/mooga+stage.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crowds gather in front of the main stage at the Great GoogaMooga.</td></tr>
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The event featured food from over 75 local restaurants,
20 musical performances, more than 35 winemakers, and 30 beer makers. It was called
a “food amusement park,” meant to showcase the gourmet side of New York dining. <o:p></o:p>The vendor booths, some curated by Anthony Bourdain, were arranged in a horseshoe surrounding a large stage where Hall & Oates and The Roots later played. Bourdain also spoke at the event (but only for those with a $250 V.I.P. ticket).<span class="s1"> </span></div>
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<a name='more'></a>During our time there on Saturday, my friend and I had no cellphone
reception, so we were unable to join in on the Internet roasting. And we did enjoy a lot of aspects of the festival, including the wine tasting tent, checking
out Hamageddon (metal pig pictured below, made specifically for the event), and
the <a href="http://gawker.com/5912973/the-great-googamooga-disaster-was-worth-it-if-only-for-this-incredible-fake-menu">humorous
menus</a> being passed out to the crowd. Fortunately for most attendees (and
me), a lot of the tickets were free, given out months ago on the event’s
website—they handed out over an estimated 40,000. I would say we definitely
made the most of the crowds, pricey food, and sunburns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP6hW7Elx7GMuIeBVeWv8KHMkPlvAo-pGDVGssDZkQF1zNqFjH2YF8kD7RgV9jD_TUZ3jH2s0dSkqlla3iCBq5lJIYzeBJ9XN_hRaYMK03e_f7NKEhXO8wKFc4XIreuXRcnihVpkGvsrh/s1600/Hamageddon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP6hW7Elx7GMuIeBVeWv8KHMkPlvAo-pGDVGssDZkQF1zNqFjH2YF8kD7RgV9jD_TUZ3jH2s0dSkqlla3iCBq5lJIYzeBJ9XN_hRaYMK03e_f7NKEhXO8wKFc4XIreuXRcnihVpkGvsrh/s320/Hamageddon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The great Hamageddon, a giant metal pig-shaped structure that served as an actual roaster at the event.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One burn that might not fade as quickly, however, is the one left by all the vehement attendees online (once they got cellphone service). GoogaMooga and Superfly (the company behind the event) may have redeemed themselves somewhat on Sunday with properly stocked vendors, less attendees in shorter lines (likely a result of Saturday's fiasco), and by doing away with "GoogaMoola." But it remains to be seen whether the foodie festival will break <a href="http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2012/05/googamooga_day_2_review.php">New
York’s Festival Curse. </a><o:p></o:p></div>
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With all events, I think it’s important to remember that bad
reviews go beyond the press nowadays, and an impression of your event will be
all over the Internet before it even begins. And while feedback sheets are
quiet and discreet, the Internet is anything but. In summation, at your next inaugural event,
if you’re encountering some speed bumps, make sure to be extra nice to the disgruntled
attendees with smartphones :).</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENYmayiTb952xCgz1sYEmjah_IYvNnkKPp1IpK2qzUuzoAZWnxH-TtgW7pZQLqgkRDLYVHEl-y8pQtXImArU7hl3d8x5YO6XSrbeWvWELRCUbviphrHnmtQzAMtcpgVlyq3iNcBEv4kI9/s1600/googa+wine+tent.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENYmayiTb952xCgz1sYEmjah_IYvNnkKPp1IpK2qzUuzoAZWnxH-TtgW7pZQLqgkRDLYVHEl-y8pQtXImArU7hl3d8x5YO6XSrbeWvWELRCUbviphrHnmtQzAMtcpgVlyq3iNcBEv4kI9/s320/googa+wine+tent.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festival goers could seek shade in the wine tasting tent, showcasing wines from all over the world. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p></o:p></div>Sarah Beauchamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314653396904534830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-3103252681283628712012-05-23T18:28:00.000-04:002012-05-24T09:29:22.913-04:00On Site at CT2-MTL<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmK9QoIeR9DKltWVo4FevmuNF8ijMN0G4BSqEaF2an_z7D5rg-iCJlhqfJcqzexPsnFHSor7IgYpxYfPfnEQmv77gdhYtNcGhI0d1olN_Rwse_OEh78Q608Xv94bO4P7Vsf2yTKhA8HI/s1600/7257203068_67f0e88289_c-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmK9QoIeR9DKltWVo4FevmuNF8ijMN0G4BSqEaF2an_z7D5rg-iCJlhqfJcqzexPsnFHSor7IgYpxYfPfnEQmv77gdhYtNcGhI0d1olN_Rwse_OEh78Q608Xv94bO4P7Vsf2yTKhA8HI/s320/7257203068_67f0e88289_c-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<h1 class="photo-title" id="title_div7257203068" property="dc:title" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">© Barbara Haemmig de Preux</span></span></h1>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm here in beautiful Montreal, attending the first-ever <a href="http://www.C2MTL.com/">C2-MTL Commerce + Creativity Conference</a>. And this event just oozes creativity. It starts with the location — a former industrial corner of downtown called Griffintown, which is in the midst of revitalization. The conference is housed in a "village" of several distinct spaces. You enter through a large, sophisticated tent with piped-in fragrances and mood lighting, innovative lounges, cafeteria-style rooms, and an art installation of construction-cone walls (inside the center [peephole] of each cone is an image of innovative urban design). Once you exit the tent, you're in an urban outdoor space with a bar, music stage, and conversation pods with oversized Adirondack chairs. The sessions themselves are held in the 1850s New City Gas building, a beautiful, stone building that was restored and outfitted specifically for the conference.</div>
<br />
The conference's creative partner is Cirque du Soleil; content partners include Fast Company, IBM, and pwC, and its presenters include Laurentian Bank, Tourisme Montreal, and HSN. The line-up of speakers is equally impressive — especially considering that this is an inaugural event. Today, Arianna Huffington made use of her stage time to give us a sneak peek at her new <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/gps-for-the-soul_b_1427290.html">"GPS for the Soul" app</a>, and Ian Schrager gave us a glimpse into the creative genius behind each of his hotel designs. One nugget in particular settled in my brain: When asked how he plans the design for each of his hotels, Schrager said: "It's like a journey, not a plan."( I think I will use that line the next time someone asks me why we don't know what our cover story will be four months from now.)<br />
<br />
If I put on my meeting-planner hat, I am sure I could find some flaws in this event's execution (the foie-gras-stuffed-flower appetizers yesterday evening, for one). But wow. There is so much to be mined from this event's format and environment — a creative act that reflects and supports the content.Michelle Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01854826062167714816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-17153339040649065672012-05-23T10:45:00.001-04:002012-05-23T10:46:59.270-04:00Spicing Up the Trade-Show Floor<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK0Ah6A9wSCRhPNG8UyE4TIA3xENH6k9q-HR8CCkl0_CFYOCDeAi3WvWEcb3U_mftb1DWpxDPTyDbjKVnDeQGqsPxlD0SbBnMrbRJbzRbMNLT6pHWNPhkAltkDN5WYZsEsWp6THbPios/s1600/spicemarket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK0Ah6A9wSCRhPNG8UyE4TIA3xENH6k9q-HR8CCkl0_CFYOCDeAi3WvWEcb3U_mftb1DWpxDPTyDbjKVnDeQGqsPxlD0SbBnMrbRJbzRbMNLT6pHWNPhkAltkDN5WYZsEsWp6THbPios/s320/spicemarket.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MyCEB's "Spice Market" at IMEX 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm currently at IMEX 2012 in Frankfurt, the annual powerhouse exhibition for incentive travel, meetings, and events. It's challenging for destinations to stand out in the exhibition hall, with exhibitors from more than 150 countries all trying to both get the attention of attendees, and to share the flavor and advantages of their destinations.<br />
<br />
But the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) booth was impossible to ignore Wednesday afternoon during its "Spice Market" cocktail reception, where they staged a modern version of the historical markets that thrived 600 years ago along the Silk Road. MyCEB distributed stacks of currency during the exhibition, and during the reception, attendees could buy colorful textiles, fans, and other items from "traders" who spread their wares out on cloths laid on the booth floor.<br />
<br />
It was high-energy fun, and underscored the point that MyCEB makes about Malaysia as a meetings destination: the country sits at the crossroads of India and Asia, the fastest-growing economic area in the world, and offers meeting planners a multi-facted, multicultural environment.<br />
<br />
<br />Barbara Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16865053013591978171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-76567916281043919162012-05-19T10:23:00.000-04:002012-05-24T09:30:11.315-04:00Power of People: Events After ControversyThis Mother’s Day, as we do every year, my mother, sister
and I participated in the <a href="http://www.komenphiladelphia.org/the-race/">Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Philadelphia.</a>
Just as I was impressed by the resilience of the breast cancer survivors competing
(and kicking butt) in the race, I was also impressed by how, despite controversy
faced this year, the Komen sponsored event was just as successful as in years
past.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0d-e13tHdBahFQE-e_KV5Ef8mGFESR0WDmJtV9xOamveFHJwpjQIrQ9NN-TXSIySfGfnwkG1rHwbjM5f6Yzn31KeePcBTssc1wLkLKocEJ10mDVgwn3HpAnhDo2az8HzMIZuBvFedSdI/s1600/4596_83738538324_25702638324_1949846_3527833_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0d-e13tHdBahFQE-e_KV5Ef8mGFESR0WDmJtV9xOamveFHJwpjQIrQ9NN-TXSIySfGfnwkG1rHwbjM5f6Yzn31KeePcBTssc1wLkLKocEJ10mDVgwn3HpAnhDo2az8HzMIZuBvFedSdI/s320/4596_83738538324_25702638324_1949846_3527833_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sea of pink outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art<br />
Photo courtesy of Susan G. Komen - Philadelphia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the wake of a fierce media backlash after <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/susan-g-komens-funding-cut-to-planned-parenthood-only-latest-in-string-of-controversies/2012/02/01/gIQAeQlXhQ_blog.html">cutting
funding for Planned Parenthood</a>, and being accused of using their brand to
promote unhealthy products, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has still managed to
keep a majority of its supports, and not just <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/08/susan-g-komen-corporate-partners_n_1260625.html">corporate</a>.
At the 2012 Race for the Cure in Philadelphia — a 5k run culminating in a large
celebration at the Philadelphia Museum of Art — there were more than <a href="http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/05/13/thousands-partake-in-22nd-annual-susan-g-komen-race-for-the-cure/">40,000
participants and 100,000 spectators</a>, and the event raised over $900,000
dollars for breast cancer research and treatment.</div>
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It was reassuring to see that despite an organization’s
trip-ups or difficult financial times, you can still count on the people to
rally around a cause they’re passionate about. After my first month with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Convene </i>magazine, I’ve realized that
that is the lifeline of the convention and meeting planning industry — the
attendees who continue to show up, to join a group of like-minded people, to
represent a subset of the community that they feel connected to, and to learn
and grow as a result of these events. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Controversy or no controversy, my family and I, just like
the other 140,000 people present that day, will continue to participate in the
race, to support a worthy cause, to commemorate the women in our lives we’ve
lost to breast cancer, support those that have survived, and fight for the
future of women everywhere — proving that an organization is only as strong as
its devoted members. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nYy3EPtOArmGyWBPO48cEbmot5GgJ6fDya-914ApU47cjUw4Wr8CzKBf-MzWuIkwGDcj3ke8dLAN3OzXOHFDb6ud_VVqVph2X7N2_gFFgPdcCofoIXXYpk7c__jv5ckUtaAWzWeHstaS/s1600/team+Kdiva.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nYy3EPtOArmGyWBPO48cEbmot5GgJ6fDya-914ApU47cjUw4Wr8CzKBf-MzWuIkwGDcj3ke8dLAN3OzXOHFDb6ud_VVqVph2X7N2_gFFgPdcCofoIXXYpk7c__jv5ckUtaAWzWeHstaS/s320/team+Kdiva.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Philadelphia</td></tr>
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Read <i>Convene</i> editor Barbara Palmer's interview with the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Nancy Brinker here: <a href="http://www.pcma.org/Convene/Issue-Archives/December-2009/Leading-By-Example.htm">http://www.pcma.org/Convene/Issue-Archives/December-2009/Leading-By-Example.htm</a>.</div>Sarah Beauchamphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11314653396904534830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-84168299225384305952012-05-18T12:24:00.000-04:002012-05-18T12:24:27.965-04:00What Price Knowledge?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-cEsWNmNBdVG4TwjLUR7teVnTwYhQBAPXd1Vi4jsE90aer2vwkgv3emKKbXstsjmfRfP7SWMA8FNIFjKene3rpQ9A-zfyvY9Y2EKRXUCbhrPpX6JKG0d-V8d3HEF_IdYz7k6xjgDA8Q/s1600/images-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-cEsWNmNBdVG4TwjLUR7teVnTwYhQBAPXd1Vi4jsE90aer2vwkgv3emKKbXstsjmfRfP7SWMA8FNIFjKene3rpQ9A-zfyvY9Y2EKRXUCbhrPpX6JKG0d-V8d3HEF_IdYz7k6xjgDA8Q/s320/images-4.jpeg" width="293" /></a></div>
I recently spoke with Michael Burke, a partner at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, who chaired the American Bar Association's <a href="http://www2.americanbar.org/calendar/section-of-international-law-2011-fall-meeting/Pages/default.aspx">Section of International Law 2011 Fall Meeting</a> in Dublin last fall. Something he said about the meeting — and the advantages Ireland provided as its host — reminded me of <i>Convene</i> Senior Editor Barbara Palmer's "What Price Knowledge?" <a href="http://content.yudu.com/A1wpej/ConveneMay2012/resources/54.htm">sidebar</a> in our May issue cover story.<br />
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Barbara talks about PAX East — which has agreed to hold its gaming conference at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center for at least 11 more years — and its unique relationship with Boston's knowledge base, specifically the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute at Becker College.<br />
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Michael shared that one of the benefits of holding the fall meeting in Ireland was the ability to "leverage off of" <a href="http://www.nuigalway.ie/human_rights/">The Irish Centre for Human Rights</a> at the National University of Ireland, Galway — a renowned university-based institution for the study and promotion of humanitarian law. "The legal services industry in Ireland is as talented as you're going to get," Michael told me, but to to be able to have a speaker from that "human rights program, you know, it's a whole different perspective than we'd find elsewhere."Michelle Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01854826062167714816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-59403441284527415462012-05-18T09:56:00.001-04:002012-05-18T10:00:58.305-04:00Checking In From Checkpoint Charlie<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcB0uFwxus625taKUonB43Hehqn4Lolrz2qsjUPy7kMu7m-5_h75rr5R0mww0ZBA2m1CwJJUHbTcwlIT5fEAzDkPWP5FKD5dUUNtBVQuWjPn062hwvipIKJVERTHPLSdCdNa6DI-hvfI0/s1600/checkpoint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcB0uFwxus625taKUonB43Hehqn4Lolrz2qsjUPy7kMu7m-5_h75rr5R0mww0ZBA2m1CwJJUHbTcwlIT5fEAzDkPWP5FKD5dUUNtBVQuWjPn062hwvipIKJVERTHPLSdCdNa6DI-hvfI0/s320/checkpoint.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Near "Checkpoint Charlie" in Berli</i>n</td></tr>
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<i>Convene</i> is on the road again. I am on a pre-IMEX educational trip to Berlin, with planners from the U.S., Brazil, and China. Berlin is a beautiful city with a fascinating history, and is the fourth most-popular city globally for association meetings. I'll post pictures here, as well as on our newly activated PCMA <i>Convene</i> Facebook page.<br />
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My nearly first order of business in the city was to find a store where I could replace a computer cord I'd left behind. (It made me wonder if DMAI's <a href="http://www.destinationmarketing.org/page.asp?pid=417">Event Impact Calculator</a>, which Corrie Dosh wrote about in our May cover story, calculates the purchases of all the things that meeting attendees forget and replace.)<br />
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But the store where I bought the cord was just a block or so away from "Checkpoint Charlie," the most famous former border crossing into East Berlin. There was a wonderful photographic timeline on the spot, telling the story of the Berlin Wall, which stood between East and West Germany from 1961 until 1989. Tourists waited nearby at a rebuilt guard station to get their photos taken with actors playing American guards.<br />
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I felt lucky that my errand gave me the opportunity to stand at that iconic spot — the likelihood of pleasure mixed with business is part of what makes for a great meeting destination.Barbara Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16865053013591978171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-24108432771968467222012-05-10T12:31:00.002-04:002012-05-10T12:31:27.322-04:00Convene On Site: Athens, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Following up on my <a href="http://pcmaconvene.blogspot.com/2012/05/convene-on-site-athens.html">post</a> the other day, I need to reiterate the benefits of mixing media people and meeting professionals -- at least for we media people. During our many site visits over the last few days (including to the Westin Athens, where I'm sitting on my balcony writing this), it's been hugely instructive to hang back and watch my fellow participants -- an interesting and experience group that includes corporate and association planners, third parties, incentive professionals, and even an organizing committee member -- talk to our hosts and each other. They ask questions, clarify their needs, and offer solutions; you can see them sketching out an event in their heads, and trying to figure out if a specific venue will be an adequate canvas on which to paint it. For me, it's like auditing a master class.<br />
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PS The city is beautiful, the local meetings and hospitality community is warm, gracious, and expert, and the food is terrific. Wish you were here.Christopher Dursohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331846472828353574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-84972672472456005992012-05-08T14:51:00.000-04:002012-05-08T17:20:27.892-04:00App-cidents Happen<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PN6_dzyO6L_d5n1W_m8RTF0AN1-np-_QA4WI_MANWZakppRAX8SW3AzDERf9fWTL90cOuBhZ6r-mqOS4Bdzpq4MvV4h2MS1kyL26NzPcEEmhzdIdEmg1gche5FrMnRHOraGixGLZNlc/s1600/diginowapp.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PN6_dzyO6L_d5n1W_m8RTF0AN1-np-_QA4WI_MANWZakppRAX8SW3AzDERf9fWTL90cOuBhZ6r-mqOS4Bdzpq4MvV4h2MS1kyL26NzPcEEmhzdIdEmg1gche5FrMnRHOraGixGLZNlc/s320/diginowapp.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Old: 2010 DigitalNow app</i></td></tr>
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Before I attended <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="http://www.fusionproductions.com/digitalnow/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">DigitalNow</span></a> </span>in late April, I went online to download the conference app, and mistakenly downloaded the app for the 2010 conference. The conference length, name, and the venue, <a href="http://www.disneymeetings.com/disneyworld/contemporary-resort/">Disney's Contemporary Resort</a>, were the same both years, but it confused me for longer than I probably should admit.<br />
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Still, I'm glad I made the mistake, because it was eye-opening. (For starters, I saw the need to label conference apps with the year —lots of people, like me, operate at a gallop online, doing at least two other things while downloading your app.)<br />
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<b>But the bigger, more important takeaway was the graphic example it provided of how quickly apps in particular, and tech in general, are evolving. </b><br />
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DigitalNow's bread and butter is technology, but their two-year-old app now seems pretty limited. It listed the agenda and speakers, along with sponsor logos and information about the resort, and offered embedded links to email and websites. But it functioned more like a digital version of a print conference schedule than a digital tool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDpHJ5ejQL_-fv_oSilLbdqFSjV9tBXNwuP6CXurOPX9NmvNhBqS-zU0wuB13y1depMQOhVSbU6EDkTyXuAauLkezb-M8F7T9hQq0NvFLiBzpmD8Eo5EtdU7VykKVZztFx-svUIwBDTQ/s1600/Unknown-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDpHJ5ejQL_-fv_oSilLbdqFSjV9tBXNwuP6CXurOPX9NmvNhBqS-zU0wuB13y1depMQOhVSbU6EDkTyXuAauLkezb-M8F7T9hQq0NvFLiBzpmD8Eo5EtdU7VykKVZztFx-svUIwBDTQ/s320/Unknown-1.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The New: 2012 DigitalNow</i></td></tr>
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The 2012 app, by comparison, gave far more detailed and interactive information about sessions and speakers, offering attendees the opportunity to create their own personal agendas. Attendee bios and photographs were loaded into the app, attendees could link directly to the conference hashtag, sign up for text alerts (which were used judiciously), and physically find sessions and breakouts on a map of the convention center.<br />
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The app also connects directly to archived content; attendees can access videos of select sessions, including exhibitor presentations.<br />
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As good as it was, I wanted more. Specifically, I wanted to know which sessions were popular with attendees who were a lot like me. Social media platforms like Facebook, along with websites like Amazon, are training me to look for "recommendations" from people that I don't know well.<br />
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It is surprising to me that I expect so much, because not much more than a year ago, I wrote <a href="http://digitalconvene.pcma.org/DigitalAnywhere/viewer.aspx?id=45&pageId=1">a column </a>about organizations that were developing their first conference apps. It was new ground to many of the people I spoke to, and unfamiliar territory for me as well. I didn't even know if I would like to use an app.<br />
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Today, I'm a big fan, and a recent<a href="http://content.yudu.com/A1wa7n/ConveneApril2012/resources/82.htm"> <i>Convene</i> survey</a> of meeting planners showed that more than 25 percent of respondents use them, a figure that almost certainly has grown since then.<br />
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What about you and your conferences? Are you using apps, and how are they changing?<br />
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Hello from Athens, where I'm participating in a fam trip sponsored by the <a href="http://www.athensconventionbureau.gr/">Athens Convention Bureau</a>. That beautifully hazy photo to the left is the view from my balcony at the Hilton Athens -- an accurate snapshot of this bright, hot, and heavy Sunday afternoon in the cradle of Western civilization, where it very appropriately happens to be election day.<div>
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We've only just hit the ground here, but already this trip has endeared itself to me for a very simple reason: We participants are a mix of media representatives and event planners, heavily weighted toward the latter. As an editor who covers the meetings industry -- reporting and writing on an area in which I have no formal training or education -- I'd much rather tour a destination with practitioners who can share their professional insights throughout our many site visits, meals, and other programs together. It helps me better understand how they approach the events they plan; and it also invariably suggests a lot of different ideas for <i>Convene</i> stories.</div>
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Something else that this trip is already doing right: doling out the downtime. Some of us arrived at the Hilton after traveling for more than 18 hours, and upon checking in our gracious hosts told us to relax and freshen up for a while; if we're interested, we can take a bus tour later this afternoon, followed by either an early dinner or simply cocktails and appetizers -- our choice. We're all excited to be here, but as you know it's not uncommon on a trip like this for the spirit to be willing and the flesh to be weak. It's nice to see that reality being taken into account.</div>
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If you're curious about what else makes for a good fam trip, check out this <a href="http://digitalconvene.pcma.org/DigitalAnywhere/viewer.aspx?id=44&pageId=52&refid=295012&s=share">CMP Series article</a> we published on the topic. And check back for another dispatch or two from Athens over the next few days.</div>Christopher Dursohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331846472828353574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-6472332578531242102012-04-19T12:31:00.000-04:002012-04-19T12:34:59.702-04:00Live From TED2023<object height="374" width="524"><param name='movie' value='http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf'>
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You decide if this is testament to the power of meetings in general or of the TED conference in particular: As part of their viral-marketing campaign for the upcoming summer blockbuster "Prometheus," filmmakers Ridley Scott and Damon Lindelof have released a TEDTalk from the year 2023 by one of the film's characters -- industrialist Peter Weyland, played by Guy Pearce. The three-minute video was created with the full cooperation of TED, and even has an official <a href="http://blog.ted.com/TED2023/">page</a> on TED's blog, complete with "About This Talk" and "About the Speaker" tabs.<br />
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Why TED? "'Prometheus' takes place in the future, but it's a movie about ideas, and I just felt like it would be really cool to have one of the characters from the movie give a TEDTalk," Lindelof <a href="http://blog.ted.com/2012/02/28/writing-a-tedtalk-from-the-future-q-a-with-damon-lindelof/">tells</a> a TED interviewer. "Obviously, since the movie is set in the distant future, it would have to be a little more contemporary. But wouldn't it be cool if it was a TED talk from a decade in the future? And what is a TEDTalk going to look like in 10 years? And what would this guy have to say?"<br />
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Well, among other things, he might say that a conference is just the place to announce that you're going to change the world.Christopher Dursohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331846472828353574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-42810458656123973382012-04-13T09:00:00.000-04:002012-04-13T10:27:26.484-04:00GSA: A Sort of Screed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Following up on Michelle's <a href="http://pcmaconvene.blogspot.com/2012/04/ethics-or-ignorance.html">post</a> about PCMA's recent webcast spinning off the GSA controversy -- I'm watching this case unspool from two different perspectives, each one maybe a little different from that of the general public: as someone who works in or for the meetings industry, and as someone who lives in the Washington, D.C., area. Thanks to the first perspective, I'm cautious about condemning the people who organized the GSA conference that's on its way to becoming the subject of congressional hearings, because at least some -- not all, but some -- of the things that are being most harshly criticized seem like the normal, necessary trappings of any meeting. The whole story is still shaking out, but I do wonder if some of what has people upset is based on a misunderstanding of how meetings are planned, and how much they cost. Shades of <a href="http://digitalconvene.pcma.org/DigitalAnywhere/viewer.aspx?id=53&pageId=15&refid=294848&s=share">Muffingate</a>, perhaps.<br />
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The second perspective is related to the first, but, of course, much more personal. Living in Arlington, Va., I have a number of friends and neighbors who work for the government -- indirectly, as contractors and consultants, and also directly, as federal employees. All of them are hard-working professionals who take their jobs seriously, and to see this controversy used as an occasion to mutter -- on talk radio and blogs and comments pages -- about lazy, overpaid government bureaucrats is upsetting. As if government employees shouldn't be meeting at all, anywhere, under any circumstances, because they serve at the pleasure of taxpayers.<br />
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Were elements of this meeting out of line? Yes, absolutely. Some of it was crazy tone-deaf; some of it was outlandish. But, as the Society of Government Meeting Professionals notes in its <a href="http://www.sgmp.org/news.cfm">response</a>:<br />
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[T]his apparent instance of excessive spending is newsworthy in part because it's unusual. ... The federal government maintains strict rules regarding spending and ethics when it comes to travel and, as in this case, when those rules are broken those responsible should be held accountable. The entire government meetings industry should not be judged on this one grossly "over the top" executed event. It clearly demonstrates the importance of agencies having a professional meeting planner versed in the proper processes of solicitation, contract awards and event execution, as required by government policy, the procurement process and ethical conduct standards.</blockquote>
Serious professionals need serious meetings, and serious meetings cost money -- more than most people realize, I think.Christopher Dursohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331846472828353574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-90967863144782409922012-04-12T20:42:00.000-04:002012-04-12T20:42:19.819-04:00Imagining Hawaii<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="312" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ntDToahOptU" width="420"></iframe><br />
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At the Executive Experience fam trip to the Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Joe Rohde, Disney's Chief Imagineer, described for participants what it was like to see his vision come to life. (You can read more <a href="http://content.yudu.com/A1wa7n/ConveneApril2012/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcma.org%2F">about the fam trip</a> in our April issue.)<br />
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Last June, Executive Editor Chris Durso talked to Rohde about the creative development process he led in creating the resort's design. You can read that interview <a href="http://digitalconvene.pcma.org/DigitalAnywhere/viewer.aspx?id=48&pageId=79&refid=294859&s=share">here</a>.Michelle Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01854826062167714816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-22125513178900218432012-04-12T07:16:00.006-04:002012-04-13T15:18:21.254-04:00Ethics or Ignorance?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76xvl2l6nFuVDCqsQTsrbKPCxIIOT_fS3f9r4Ucvr4_Oq6_iOV1O2K6fPmSU183TeMazb9PNCdwBBmSoTaRcH3YO7g8GA5TIgpfSwsRS-6hFr90CqscOP_OZk9C_61U7_HzuMKmFINDc/s1600/home_webcastad.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730474800318925362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76xvl2l6nFuVDCqsQTsrbKPCxIIOT_fS3f9r4Ucvr4_Oq6_iOV1O2K6fPmSU183TeMazb9PNCdwBBmSoTaRcH3YO7g8GA5TIgpfSwsRS-6hFr90CqscOP_OZk9C_61U7_HzuMKmFINDc/s400/home_webcastad.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 250px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 267px;" /></a>Last week's media storm over reports of the General Services Administration's (GSA) lavish Las Vegas conference for government employees served as the jumping-off point for a PCMA Webcast, Meeting Value & Strategic Measurement. It might have been the reason why the table was set for the discussion — between Webcast participants and PCMA President & CEO Deborah Sexton; Chairman of the PCMA Board of Directors Kent Allaway, CEM, CMP; and PCMA Senior Vice President of Education & Meetings Kelly Peacy, CMP, CAE — but it was not the meal that was served. Whether the GSA's overspending was the result of an ethical breach or ignorance, the focus of the Webcast was more on lessons learned and opportunities moving forward.<br />
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The media's portrayal of the GSA conference as an isolated instance of a government agency failing to follow federal travel regulations and making poor choices was encouraging, Deborah said at the beginning of the Webcast, because "this time, versus other sensationalized instances in the past, the public and Washington did not make sweeping judgments regarding the benefit equation of meeting face to face. Something is working." That "something" she attributed to the Economic Significance Study released last year, which was important in positioning the meetings industry as vital to the economy. But, she quickly added, "We're only halfway there. What we need to do is create a solid messaging campaign that talks about the benefits, other than economic, that face-to-face meetings create."<br />
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GSA serves as a glaring example of the need to continue to professionalize our industry. It's why, Deborah said, PCMA offers the education and tools that detail professional convention management standards on how to best define event objectives, clear measurements, and justification of spend, from RFPs, contracts, ethics, corporate social responsibility, third-party practices, and more. <br />
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"Professionals in our business understand the need for clearly defined goals and objectives that define not only what will take place at the meeting, but what will be accomplished at the end. This allows for budgetary recommendations and decisions to be made effectively at a person’s organization," Kent said. "Are we effectively evaluating the meetings we are holding? Are we attaching measurement to dollars that we are spending? Can you support that increased spending in one area resulted in increased attendance or education?"<br />
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Measurement is one thing; ethics is another. As Kent pointed out, there are a lot of opportunities in this industry "to make an incorrect choice." More training and mentoring is needed on ethical decision-making. Kelly noted that PCMA's membership application and renewal form includes the <a href="http://pcma.org/documents/Code_of_ethics.pdf">Principles of Professional and Ethical Conduct</a> with 10 points "that serve to remind us" of appropriate behavior. <br />
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But ethical questions can be tricky. Plus, new ones evolve over time, Kelly noted. Kent said: "Transparency with your leadership will always pay dividends and result in a clear understanding, especially around expenses, trips, gifts, etc."<br />
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In addition to bringing ethical considerations to their attention, it's critical for planners to communicate consistently with their CEO on evaluation, strategic measurement, and spend justification, Kelly said, to be "proactive with reports" and make "spending vs. savings" a constant discussion.<br />
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Our biggest challenge, Deborah concluded, "is still in front of us: to create a global message on the value of individuals getting together face to face." <br />
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<a href="https://vts.inxpo.com/Launch/Event.htm?ShowKey=5659&DisplayItem=E64209">Here's</a> the 30-minute Webinar in its entirety on PCMA365.Michelle Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01854826062167714816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-75856313188236547042012-04-05T16:09:00.009-04:002012-04-13T15:18:33.564-04:00The Red-Carpet Treatment<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Storm damage in Henryville. State Farm photo.</i></td></tr>
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On March 2, an historic outbreak of storms unleashed dozens of tornadoes in 11 southern and central states, killing more than 40 and injuring hundreds more. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That was on a Friday. By Monday, the Cincinnati-based George Fern Exposition and Event Services had set up a fund to help storm victims through the Red Cross. The company made an initial contribution of $5,000 and pledged to match employee contributions until March 31. (By the end of March, the total had reached $11,000.)<br />
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“The tornadoes hit two of our markets pretty significantly,” including the southern Cincinnati area, and areas to the north and northwest of Louisville [Ky.]," <o:p></o:p>said COO Aaron Bludworth.</div>
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Even after setting up the relief fund, Bludworth thought there was still more that the company could do. (The company and its employees <a href="http://www.pcma.org/Convene/Issue-Archives/May-2010/Behind-the-Scenes.htm">have a track record </a>of reaching out, we discovered when we wrote about Fern employee Jean Tracy’s volunteer work in Haiti.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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So Bludworth contacted the mayors of some of the hardest-hit towns to ask if the Fern’s tractor-trailers could be used as collection points for supplies. But the affected communities were already overflowing with support, Bludworth learned. “I moved here four years ago and I’ve been very impressed with how the communities were supporting one another.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo courtesy WHAS11.com</i></td></tr>
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But in late March, Bludworth got a call about something that he was in a unique position to supply: carpeting, for temporary school facilities for about 500 students in Henryville, Ind., where a tornado had destroyed the junior-senior high school. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When carpeting has reached the end of its useful life for trade shows, it’s still in good condition, Bludworth said. In one day, his team pulled 22,000 square feet of carpet from their distribution center, and delivered it the next day to the temporary school facilities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The school’s colors are blue and yellow; Fern couldn’t get carpeting in those colors together fast enough to fulfill the entire request, Bludworth said. Instead, students got the red-carpet treatment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The kids were out of school for a month,” Bludworth said, “I’m glad to be able to help them get back, and get their lives to where things are a little bit more normal.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>Barbara Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16865053013591978171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-57350798517707111812012-04-02T18:18:00.005-04:002012-04-02T18:30:35.501-04:00There's a Blog for That?A recurring feature in <i>Convene'</i>s front-of-the-magazine "Plenary" department is "There's a Meeting For That?" which explores the awe-inspiring range of interests that bring people together.<br />
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We've uncovered everything from the <a href="http://www.fpbaconvention.com/">Face Painting and Body Art Convention </a>to <a href="http://beyondlittlehouse.com/">Laurapalooza 2010,</a> which brought together scholars and fans interested in children's author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Our takeaway? No matter how narrow the niche, people love both to share what they know and to learn from each other. <br />
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In that spirit, we offer "There's a Blog for That?," a link to a blog with an off-the-beaten-path perspective on a topic relevant to the meetings industry.<br />
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<b>First up is <a href="http://soundbrandingblog.com/">Sound Branding Blog</a>, by Karlheinz Illner, a German sound-branding expert. </b> "Music sparks emotions and emotions control our brain's decisions," says Illner, who consults on projects for leading international firms, including Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz. <br />
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Illner doesn't post frequently, but what he has to say is often fascinating. (Here's <a href="http://soundbrandingblog.com/2011/04/12/sound-branding-soundscapes-in-the-hotel-and-hospitality/">a link</a> to an interview he did with another blogger about sound branding in hotels.) <br />
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As Illner <a href="http://soundbrandingblog.com/about/">notes</a>, sound branding is a new field. But as meeting planners pay more attention to the senses and the art and science of creating immersive experiences, Illner's voice is one worth tuning into every now and then.<br />
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And, as it turns out, there<i> is</i> a meeting for that: Illner has blogged about the <a href="http://ing-academy.org/aba/congress/report-2011/">Audio Branding Academy's</a> annual Audio Branding Congress, which launched in 2009.Barbara Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16865053013591978171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-44323672966134182322012-03-19T11:10:00.004-04:002012-04-13T15:20:38.363-04:00Mike Daisey: Hazy Details<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFq2-0PzNsop9RfejTX11vOe6fyxl37FJD_aODp9nxeMIUDvuPJo-KU7dvW_ZiyA16RKx9bLi6jYL0g5S3SWabOOI8MosTULjMu5oVcPzFBB9PoNU3UCgP-tKAXsXGdSCylq7xaSKTLo/s1600/460.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721637618296696290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFq2-0PzNsop9RfejTX11vOe6fyxl37FJD_aODp9nxeMIUDvuPJo-KU7dvW_ZiyA16RKx9bLi6jYL0g5S3SWabOOI8MosTULjMu5oVcPzFBB9PoNU3UCgP-tKAXsXGdSCylq7xaSKTLo/s400/460.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 180px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 240px;" /></a>Since I posted <a href="http://pcmaconvene.blogspot.com/2012/03/on-apple-in-big-apple.html">a blog</a> about my reaction to attending Mike Daisey's one-man performance, "The Agony and Ecstacy of Steve Jobs," Daisey has admitted that he fabricated certain elements of his trip to the Foxcomm plant in China. His performance now includes a brief explanatory note and he has scrubbed a few details in the recounting of his experience in China.<br />
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The brouhaha has been focused on an episode of National Public Radio's "This American Life," in which Daisey's story was presented as entirely factual. "This American Life" has retracted that episode and <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/460/retraction">re-interviewed Daisey</a> to get at the bottom of what about his experience actually occurred and what he created. <br />
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Here is an excerpt from the transcript of that <a href="http://podcast.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/460.mp3">radio interview</a>, in which Daisey is speaking to "This American Life's" Ira Glass:<br />
"...everything I have done in making this monologue for the theater has been toward that end — to make people care. I’m not going to say that I didn’t take a few shortcuts in my passion to be heard. But I stand behind the work. My mistake, the mistake that I truly regret is that I had it on your show as journalism and it’s not journalism. It’s theater. I use the tools of theater and memoir to achieve its dramatic arc and of that arc and of that work I am very proud because I think it made you care, Ira, and I think it made you want to delve [into inhumane working conditions at the Foxcomm plant]. And my hope is that it makes — has made— other people delve."<br />
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I guess I don't feel particularly betrayed by Daisey because I experienced his message in the theater, not on NPR. My assumption at the time was that he could very well have embellished the truth to make his point carry more dramatic weight. Had I since learned that all of the details of his trip were fabricated, that would be another matter. But his main point — that we need to pay attention to the way all of our tech tools are made — sticks.<br />
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Which brings up an interesting question for the meetings industry. How can you vouch for the veracity of keynote speakers' stories? And are you obligated to fact check them?Michelle Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01854826062167714816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-49756343088443073612012-03-13T19:43:00.005-04:002012-03-15T15:12:50.667-04:00Celebrating #Neuroscience<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV9_gsrhq-QN46m9LacPz2m2f4JgiqTOFAOnYOuiXFEitVEDVWJzjtiBEGe3RwaJ1qwqlPjgkwcS4r7jxE8IHB-Pq_2KINGWvYQ2ggSWEHjZpgRM2eCN7utVGrXSPF0buDRUt5M5Pgzs/s1600/2990804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV9_gsrhq-QN46m9LacPz2m2f4JgiqTOFAOnYOuiXFEitVEDVWJzjtiBEGe3RwaJ1qwqlPjgkwcS4r7jxE8IHB-Pq_2KINGWvYQ2ggSWEHjZpgRM2eCN7utVGrXSPF0buDRUt5M5Pgzs/s320/2990804.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px;">Image by Jared Tarbell, via Creative Commons</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This week is <a href="http://www.dana.org/brainweek/">Brain Awareness Week, </a>a good time to assess the growing influence that neuroscience research is having on how we think about meeting design and creating environments that support learning.<br />
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At <i>Convene</i>, we've taken a lively interest in the topic: In our <a href="http://www.pcma.org/Convene/Issue-Archives/July-2010/More-Than-a-Feeling.htm">cover story</a> in July 2010, <a href="http://www.brainstrength.net/main/biography_of_andrea_e_sullivan/">Andrea E. Sullivan,</a> president of Brain Strength Systems, introduced readers to mirror neurons, and <a href="http://www.brainrules.net/about-brain-rules">Dr. John Medina</a> got us thinking about chunking information during presentations. In January, David Rock, author of <i>Your Brain at Work </i><a href="http://www.pcma.org/Convene/Who-Speaks-To-The-Speakers.htm">described </a>how the NeuroLeadership Institute reconfigures their agenda and structure in pursuit of the goal of having the brain-friendliest meeting anywhere. In February, <a href="http://content.yudu.com/A1vmx3/ConveneFeb2012/resources/63.htm">we explored</a> a very new idea: that parks and public spaces don't just help us relax, they help us think.<br />
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The role of emotions in cognition and decision-making also is making waves. One of my favorite interviews in 2011 was with <a href="http://www.annekreamer.com/its-always-personal">Anne Kreamer</a>, author of <i>It's Always Personal: Emotion in the New Workplace. </i>And Convening Leaders speaker David Brooks surprised me when I talked with him last fall by his knowledge and interest in mindfulness, which, come to think of it, <a href="http://www.pcma.org/Convene/Issue-Archives/June-2011/Focus-Group.htm">we also wrote about</a> last year.<br />
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Researchers are at a very exciting stage, when the puzzle pieces of how the brain works are beginning to fit together. There will be lots more to think and write about, and to put into practice.<br />
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A special salute this week to Jeff Hurt, of Velvet Chainsaw Consulting, and his passion for exploring brain-friendly meetings at <a href="http://jeffhurtblog.com/">Midcourse Corrections</a>.Barbara Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16865053013591978171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886064362591518357.post-52568238834227232462012-03-06T14:42:00.001-05:002012-03-06T14:43:04.663-05:00Here Are Some Interesting Statistics About Meetings<br />
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<strong style="display: block; margin: 12px 0 4px;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/cdurso/15-11888939" title="15">15</a></strong><object height="355" id="__sse11888939" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=cspipcmaconvene-120306105409-phpapp02&stripped_title=15-11888939&userName=cdurso" />
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How many hotels are opening in the United States this year? What are the top five international meeting destinations? How many meetings does the average planner organize every year?<br />
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Find out the numbers behind these and 12 other burning industry topics by clicking through this PowerPoint presentation I delivered at Convention Sales Professionals International's <a href="http://www.cspionline.org/education-a-events/annual-conference">2012 Annual Conference</a> in Washington, D.C., last week. Every number in there comes from either <i>Convene</i>'s <a href="http://www.pcma.org/Documents/Convene/2012MeetingsIndustry.pdf">2012 Meetings Industry Forecast</a>, published in our November 2011 issue, or our 2012 Meetings Market Survey, which is forthcoming in this month's issue. Because while there may be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies,_damned_lies,_and_statistics">lies, damned lies, and statistics</a>, sometimes there are simply really interesting numbers that help you get a better handle on your job.Christopher Dursohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331846472828353574noreply@blogger.com0