@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

The Evolving Reality of Technology in Meetings

September 2016 Education

Dan BergerSocial TablesSeptember 28, 2016

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

1. Reflect on the ways technology has changed the industry.

2. Identify upcoming industry trends.

3. Learn how planners can future-proof their careers (time permitting).

Learning Objectives

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

I am a participant.

I am a planner.

I am a supplier.

Over 1.5 billion sq. ft. of event space

Over 1 million events created

Over 150 million attendees impacted

4,300 customers

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

I am a participant.

I am a planner.

I am a believer.

I am a supplier.

We envision a world where peoplemeet and achieve great things.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

open_discussionHow has technology changed meetings and events since you first started working in the industry?

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

11 ways technology has changed meetings and events.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Information Symmetry

Planners rely on their networks and online

research to learn about destinations before

speaking to sales reps.

Information Asymmetry

Planners used to rely on hotel sales

professionals for research and information.

Pre-Event: Destination Sourcing

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Pre-Event: Event Marketing

Permission Marketing

Marketers deliver anticipated, personal, and

relevant messages to people who actually want

to get them thanks to new advertising

technology.

Traditional Marketing

Marketers used to buy email lists, mail

invitations, and add everyone to their

newsletters.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Pre-Event: Networking

Online

Participants have access to fellow attendees and

technology matches people thanks to

algorithms.

On Site

People let serendipity and networking sessions

do all of the work.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

An Afterthought

There was no real software built for planners or

event goers.

Integrated

Planners think about what objectives they are

trying to achieve and use the technology that fits

best.

Pre-Event: Technology

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Online Collaboration

Information is centralized online for efficient

stakeholder communication.

Offline Redundancy

Back-and-forth calls, emails, and faxes to

coordinate events and communicate changes.

Pre-Event: Working Together

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During-Event: Educating Attendees

Participants

Speakers have a dialogue with participants. They

use technology to engage them and apply adult

learning best practices.

Attendees

Presenters spoke at attendees.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

During-Event: Physically Attending

Attending in the Flesh

The only way to attend an event was to

physically be there.

Virtual Attendance

Live-streaming is free and is used to build future

attendance.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

During-Event: Disseminating Information

The Mobile App

Real-time information is distributed digitally

through an app, social, and email.

The Event Guide

Information, including the schedule and attendee

list, was distributed through physical collateral.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Continuous and Regular Feedback

Attendees provide feedback real-time through

social media channels/surveys and planners

react accordingly.

One-time Evaluations

Attendees would complete a survey at the end

of a meeting.

During-Event: Feedback

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Post-Event: Event Lifespan

Events were Finite

The life of an event spanned was limited to its

allocated time.

Events are Evergreen

The lifespan of an event extends past its

allocated time. People connect and share online

afterwards.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Post-Event: Event ROI

ROI is Measurable

Events are considered a marketing product.

Their impact can be measured thanks to

software and hardware products.

ROI was an Unknown

Event and meeting spending went into a

marketing black hole.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Post-Event: Sharing Information

Information is Shared

Content is distributed far and wide by speakers.

It is amplified by participants through live

tweeting, live streaming, and social media

posting.

Information was Withheld

Content was held closely by speakers.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

open_discussionWhat are technology trends you’re watching closely or most interested in?

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Global trends to be mindful of...

1. Software is eating the world.

2. Technology is seamlessly integrating into our lives.

3. Face-to-face is more valuable.

4. Organizations are spending more money on meetings/events.

5. The middle class is growing faster.

6. The hospitality industry is more profitable than ever.

Disclaimer: Thought-provoking

Slides Ahead!

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

“Second tier” cities will become premier destinations.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

The room block will play second fiddle to economic impact.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

The Annual Meeting will become endangered.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

The hospitality industry will be more profitable than ever.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

More events, with bigger budgets.

The industry processes we know today will be obliterated.

Coordinating event logistics will be automated.

Event apps will no longer exists.

Group business will be booked mostly online.

Content will be curated by software.

Our industry will be embrace transparency.

Everything planners need will be available on-demand.

Serendipity will be less successful than algorithms.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

We won’t be able to tell the difference between real and virtual events.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Robots will setup and teardown rooms.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Complex productions will be easier to organize.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

A.I. will make events better for everyone.

Technology will be an integrated part of the convention service team’s offerings.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Hotels will do mostly group business.

Hotel sales people will become meeting consultants.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

More event professionals will report to CEOs

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

A governing body for the

meetings industry will emerge.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

The “Golden Age of Travel” will continue.

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Thank you!

email: dan@socialtables.com

twitter: @danberger

snapchat: danjberger

If you want the slides, give me a business card!

Bonus content!

9 Ways to Prepare as a Planner

Become Best Friends with Data

1. Experiment with measuring NPS.

2. Surprise stakeholders with metrics.

3. Backup your ideas with data.

1. Find inspiration outside of the events world.

2. Lean on your creative partners. Challenge them and you’ll be surprised.

3. Be deliberate about every design detail.Creativity

is Key

1. Pick a destination based on the message it sends.

2. Leverage the CVB.

3. Integrate cultural learnings into your destination event.

Unleash Your Inner Anthropologist

1. Encourage social interactions throughout the event.

2. Remember everything is a backdrop for a photo.Pics, Or It Didn’t Happen

1. Pay it forward.

2. Find mentors and serve as a mentee.

3. Ask for introductions.Find People You Trust and Grow Your Network

Be Proactive, Ask and You Shall Receive

1. Ask properties to offer you a customized site visit, specific to your event.

2. Have partners join you on site visits.

1. Invest in your learning.

2. Volunteer your time with an industry organization.

3. Remember that learning happens outside of your comfort zone.

If You Rest, You Rust

1. Ask about sustainability programs at the venues you’re working with.

2. Use it as a selling point, promote your event as a “Green Event”.

Make Meetings & Events Green Again

1. Set goals for yourself.

2. Find an accountability partner.Be a Hero, Save the Day (and Do It Over Again)

@danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI

Thank you!

email: dan@socialtables.com

twitter: @danberger

snapchat: danjberger

If you want the slides, give me a business card!