Meetings Today

Virtual Meetings Must Incorporate Stories to Create Memories

“As Dr. [Maya] Angelou entered the conference hall, the air was electric with excitement and awe. Even at 85, she invigorates a crowd as if she were a rock star! She started to speak and the crowd hushed to hear her every word. From beginning to end, she did not lecture, she did not follow an outline – she simply told stories." And so as we move to more virtual and hybrid meetings, must we engage audiences with stories.

From Sages on Stages to Sages on Screens: Pivoting to Virtual Meetings

Is it really July? I finally got out for a haircut. Apartment door to elevator to garage to car (my spouse drove—I don’t drive [despite what someone once said, yes, you can be successful and not drive!]—six blocks to haircut where every precaution was taken. It felt great and I was terrified being out. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases soar in many U.S. states; meetings and conventions continue to be postponed or to move to a virtual platform; and sports, theater, and most other events are on hold. And more meetings are moving from physical to virtual. Thus we must consider what and how content will be delivered and by whom.

Don’t Throw the ADA ‘Baby’ Out With the COVID-19 ‘Bathwater’

Oh, you bet I want to write about—think about—something else...even something frivolous like summer plans that might include a walk around the block; what you’ve done to manage your “crown of grey” or whether you or someone in your life grew a beard; and how tired you are of take-out food...if you are fortunate enough to have shelter and food—and toilet paper. But as noted by the WHO and written and discussed in many arenas, this virus is likely to never go away. It will eventually be controllable, yet potentially never out of the possibility of contagion. Thus, as I work through and around for clients I continue to write about the issues related to COVID-19, or accurately, SARS-COV2.

Epic Challenges Ahead: Expert Opinion on the Post-COVID-19 Meetings World

My head is exploding with information gathered to help clients move forward with meetings. It all changes daily, sometimes hourly, and a life-long learner, I too seek out more. Thus, this month's Friday with Joan where I rely on others to help us all think through what we do today, tomorrow, and in the coming months and years. We can no longer operate as we always have. It is not post-9/11 or even post-early 2000 recession. It's time for a reboot of how we always met.

COVID-19: Trust, Information, Solidarity and Change

Some topics about which I write are easy and joyful. Last month’s praise of CSMs/Event Managers was pure joy. Even writing about the option for sabbaticals was interesting research and those now on “forced sabbaticals” (aka furloughs) may find ideas to use. I’ve delayed writing this blog as long as possible. My notes from WHO press briefings and articles and emails fill pages. By the time you read this, the information that changes hourly on who is impacted, where #COVID19 has reached new levels, and what is being done to protect healthcare providers, emergency responders and the public will have changed dramatically. I updated the blog draft on Monday, 30 March, after the governor of Virginia, issued a Stay at Home Order until June 10. Maryland and Washington, D.C., are doing similarly.

Sales May Sell But It’s Event Services That Brings Repeat Biz

I moved to Washington, D.C. in 1978. My first job here was as an association planner for the group's 10th anniversary meeting. Although I had planned meetings and events around the U.S. prior to my move, I wasn’t schooled or trained in the profession. On my first visit to the group's already-contracted hotel, I met with the sales manager and convention services manager and said, “Tell me everything.” They did and it was the beginning of my “love affair” with convention services and all they brought to the process and execution of meetings. This, I hope, brings more attention and respect and compensation to this critical profession in our industry, and more attention to ESPA.

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