INDUSTRY INSIGHTS YOUR PEERS ARE READING
Long ago, consultant Tom Gilb coined the term “mythodology” to describe erroneous but commonly held beliefs about how something should be done. Here are nine mythodologies about conferences. Mythodology: We know what our attendees want to learn about. Reality : No, you don’t. At least half the sessions programmed at traditional conferences are not what attendees want. Mythodology: Event socials are a good way to meet people. MORE
If I could completely avoid flying American Airlines I would. Not because of the airline’s mediocre rankings in on-time arrivals, lost baggage, fees, and customer satisfaction. After all, there are some airlines that are even worse (Spirit, I’m looking at you ). MORE
We are biased against creativity. Though most people say they admire creativity, research indicates we actually prefer inside -the-box thinking. MORE
My first public gig as a musician was at David Bowie’s Beckenham Arts Lab. Read the full article at Conferences That Work. MORE
I often design and facilitate workshops for association members who mostly haven’t met before. The desired outcomes are for each participant to gain useful and relevant professional insights, and to make significant new connections. MORE
While stuck in cramped seats during a six-hour Boston to San Francisco flight recently, my wife gently pointed out that I had become quite grumpy. She helped me notice that my lack of body comfort was affecting my mood. MORE
Legendary Apple designer Jony Ive explains how learning in community helped Apple make the iPhone: “When we genuinely look at a problem it’s an opportunity to learn together, and we discover something together. We know that learning in community is powerful. MORE
“Architecture sets the stage for our lives; it creates the world we inhabit and shapes how we relate to one another. In a time in which democracy is under increasing pressure in different parts of the world, it is time to rethink the architecture of assembly.” MORE
Van Halen ‘s 1982 World Tour performance contract contained a provision calling for them to be provided backstage with a bowl of M&Ms from which all the brown candies had been removed. MORE
[link] Check out the above video. The hive mind will see you now. In his post “ The fourth cycle of the hive mind (and what to do about it) ” Seth Godin explores how advances in computers are changing our world. The first three of his revolutionary cycles are well established, the fourth is now arriving. Cycles one through three introduced calculation and data storage , connection , and shifting place and time. Above all, Seth’s fourth cycle adds prediction. MORE
What’s an Ideal Meeting? April 2018, Meetings and Conventions Magazine Do you incorporate participatory sessions into your events? MORE
We don’t usually think about the learning models we employ during conference sessions, and I believe our events would be better if we did. Conventional conferences assume a ready supply of experts to whom we listen while they cover the learning that has been advertised at their sessions. MORE
The Solution Room is rapidly becoming a popular meeting plenary. MORE
Although I’m simultaneously overwhelmed and underwhelmed by the thousands of books and videos about “leadership” pumped out every year, a recent quote struck a chord: “You’ll do more good if you aim to serve more than you aim to please.” ” — S. MORE
Is it OK for a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit association to make large profits, pay its four top executives well over $1M per year, and yet do little for its members? MORE
An embarrassing incident I was hanging out at the Marlboro South Pond Regatta , a whimsical affair where local sailors of all stripes and abilities casually “race” around a few buoys in the lake, sometimes stopping to chat mid-race with each other or watch our beautiful loons. MORE
The other day, Celia and I were walking in Boston’s beautiful Arnold Arboretum when she asked me who’d responded to an email I’d sent. When I pulled out my phone to answer her question, she said she felt she was walking with a third person, a stranger. MORE
It’s no Comedians in Cars getting Coffee , but here’s my draft script for Seating while Eating at Meetings. MORE
You can improve meetings by de-emphasizing status. Apart from my first book , I haven’t written much about status at events. It’s time to revisit this important topic. I think about status at events as the relative levels of proclaimed or perceived social value assigned to or assumed by attendees. MORE
Not long ago I wrote about the end of decent paid jobs and the need for basic income. A startling recent advance in machine learning has only heightened my concerns. MORE
Why is experiential learning superior to every other kind? In a word: feedback. Jerry Weinberg explains simply and concisely. “Why is reading or writing something different from doing something? First consider reading. Reading is (usually) a solitary activity, with no feedback. MORE
[link] 40-seconds of highlights from the Participate! workshop and Solution Room I recently facilitated for the New York State Bar Association. MORE
Why do some learning experiences stay burning in our brains and others fade into oblivion? Read the full article at Conferences That Work. MORE
What might leadership for meetings look like? Let’s turn to Harold Jarche for inspiration: “Those doing the work are often the only ones who really understand the context. Leadership is helping build the structure and then protecting the space to do meaningful work. MORE
There are some things that the meeting industry doesn’t like to talk about in public. For example: Revenue models. Who actually paid for all that sybaritic F&B? You’ll never know.). Clients from hell. They might figure out it’s them I was talking about and I need the business.). MORE
Great — a client who doesn’t know what they want! Recently, a client asked for help designing a new conference. Thirty minutes of discussion with three stakeholders revealed they hadn’t yet settled on the event’s specific purpose, scope, and format. From my perspective this is actually a great problem to have. Because most clients engage me after they are committed to programs and logistics that are not optimum for what they’re trying to accomplish! MORE
My Dutch friend and expert moderator, Jan Jaap In der Maur , recently shared an innovative format for an in-conference pitch competition he devised for the Conventa Crossover Conference , in Ljubljana, Slovenia: “There were also the Conventa Crossover Awards. MORE
Is it OK for a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit association to make large profits, pay its four top executives well over $1M per year, and yet do little for its members? MORE
We’ve all experienced the meeting question that isn’t. A session presenter or moderator asks for questions and someone stands up and starts spouting their own opinions. A concluding question (if they even have one) is little more than an excuse for their own speech. MORE
Here’s my article “ Five Reasons to Change Conferences “ , published in the December 2018, NSA Speaker magazine. MORE
After watching Hannah Gadsby ‘s stunning show Nanette — which I highly recommend — here’s a small piece worth sharing. Gadsby starts with Vincent Van Gogh, looking at how we’ve come to lionize the idea of misunderstood genius. Born ahead of his time,” she says. What a load of s**t. MORE
Ah, the ubiquitous conference one-hour lecture. How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. Actually I don’t need to do that since Donald Bligh listed them all in his classic book What’s The Use Of Lectures? first published in 1972 ! Rather than reiterate the shortcomings of broadcast-style teaching, I’ll go positive and describe three superior alternatives to sitting through an expert’s non-stop utterances. MORE
Two years have passed since the last update of my favorite iPad/iPhone apps for event professionals. Apps continue to be born, evolve, and, sometimes, die—so it’s time for my latest list of event professionals’ great apps! Read the full article at Conferences That Work. MORE
Here’s a powerful tool you can use to generate creative event designs. You can use this tool for every aspect of event design. Stylists working on the look and feel of an event often use it to stimulate fresh thinking about the venue, the décor, the lighting, the food and beverage, entertainment, and so on. Rarely, however, is this tool used to design events that creatively incorporate, illuminate, and support core desires and outcomes for the meeting. MORE
How can we bring people together across divides? In April 2017, I posted the following to the NCDD-DISCUSSION list. ( MORE
Beware of “experiential” events that are just razzle-dazzle. “Experiential” has become a buzzword to use to describe hip events. Instead of listening to speakers, you’re going to have — wait for it — experiences ! Sounds so much better, doesn’t it? MORE
While writing about seeing the gifts in people and events I remembered one of my favorite scenes in Love Actually (2003). MORE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Paid influencer marketing is spreading to the event industry, and I doubt that it’s an ethical practice. Last week I received the following voice mail (identifying details have been bleeped; transcript below.). link]. MORE
For years I’ve been reading to 3rd & 4th grade students at the Marlboro Elementary School , my amazing local public school. It’s a tiny school that currently serves around 100 pre-kindergarten – 8th grade children (4 – 13 years old). MORE
Previously, I’ve described three major trends that make traditional conference formats obsolete: No longer knowing in advance what attendees want to learn ; The rise of online ; and. The massive change in how we learn what we need to know to do our jobs. Here’s a fourth. MORE
Most people won’t ask questions at meetings. So how can you get authentic audience engagement at your events? In a thoughtful article “ Audience Engagement – at the Heart of Meetings “, Pádraic Gilligan writes: “…We all want audience engagement so why doesn’t it take place?…While MORE
I recently came across some principles for “ making large scale change happen “ I think they’re worth sharing. Here’s the text version: Read the full article at Conferences That Work The post Making large scale change happen appeared first on Conferences That Work. MORE
Conferences that Work
FEBRUARY 18, 2019
What might leadership for meetings look like? Let’s turn to Harold Jarche for inspiration: “Those doing the work are often the only ones who really understand the context. Leadership is helping build the structure and then protecting the space to do meaningful work.
Conferences that Work
NOVEMBER 19, 2018
What’s an Ideal Meeting? April 2018, Meetings and Conventions Magazine Do you incorporate participatory sessions into your events?
Conferences that Work
OCTOBER 15, 2018
The other day, Celia and I were walking in Boston’s beautiful Arnold Arboretum when she asked me who’d responded to an email I’d sent. When I pulled out my phone to answer her question, she said she felt she was walking with a third person, a stranger.
Conferences that Work
JANUARY 14, 2019
We’ve all experienced the meeting question that isn’t. A session presenter or moderator asks for questions and someone stands up and starts spouting their own opinions. A concluding question (if they even have one) is little more than an excuse for their own speech.
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Conferences that Work
DECEMBER 10, 2018
We are biased against creativity. Though most people say they admire creativity, research indicates we actually prefer inside -the-box thinking.
Conferences that Work
DECEMBER 24, 2018
Here’s my article “ Five Reasons to Change Conferences “ , published in the December 2018, NSA Speaker magazine.
Conferences that Work
FEBRUARY 4, 2019
How can we bring people together across divides? In April 2017, I posted the following to the NCDD-DISCUSSION list. (
Conferences that Work
JANUARY 21, 2019
You can improve meetings by de-emphasizing status. Apart from my first book , I haven’t written much about status at events. It’s time to revisit this important topic. I think about status at events as the relative levels of proclaimed or perceived social value assigned to or assumed by attendees.
Conferences that Work
DECEMBER 17, 2018
Beware of “experiential” events that are just razzle-dazzle. “Experiential” has become a buzzword to use to describe hip events. Instead of listening to speakers, you’re going to have — wait for it — experiences ! Sounds so much better, doesn’t it?
Conferences that Work
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
[link] 40-seconds of highlights from the Participate! workshop and Solution Room I recently facilitated for the New York State Bar Association.
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1,000 Participants. 75 Locations. 1 Solution.
Conferences that Work
NOVEMBER 12, 2018
Is it OK for a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit association to make large profits, pay its four top executives well over $1M per year, and yet do little for its members?
Conferences that Work
JANUARY 28, 2019
I recently came across some principles for “ making large scale change happen “ I think they’re worth sharing. Here’s the text version: Read the full article at Conferences That Work The post Making large scale change happen appeared first on Conferences That Work.
Conferences that Work
JANUARY 7, 2019
Not long ago I wrote about the end of decent paid jobs and the need for basic income. A startling recent advance in machine learning has only heightened my concerns.
Conferences that Work
AUGUST 27, 2018
An embarrassing incident I was hanging out at the Marlboro South Pond Regatta , a whimsical affair where local sailors of all stripes and abilities casually “race” around a few buoys in the lake, sometimes stopping to chat mid-race with each other or watch our beautiful loons.
Conferences that Work
OCTOBER 29, 2018
Although I’m simultaneously overwhelmed and underwhelmed by the thousands of books and videos about “leadership” pumped out every year, a recent quote struck a chord: “You’ll do more good if you aim to serve more than you aim to please.” ” — S.
Conferences that Work
AUGUST 13, 2018
After watching Hannah Gadsby ‘s stunning show Nanette — which I highly recommend — here’s a small piece worth sharing. Gadsby starts with Vincent Van Gogh, looking at how we’ve come to lionize the idea of misunderstood genius. Born ahead of his time,” she says. What a load of s**t.
Conferences that Work
FEBRUARY 11, 2019
[link] Check out the above video. The hive mind will see you now. In his post “ The fourth cycle of the hive mind (and what to do about it) ” Seth Godin explores how advances in computers are changing our world. The first three of his revolutionary cycles are well established, the fourth is now arriving. Cycles one through three introduced calculation and data storage , connection , and shifting place and time. Above all, Seth’s fourth cycle adds prediction.
Conferences that Work
NOVEMBER 26, 2018
For years I’ve been reading to 3rd & 4th grade students at the Marlboro Elementary School , my amazing local public school. It’s a tiny school that currently serves around 100 pre-kindergarten – 8th grade children (4 – 13 years old).
Conferences that Work
SEPTEMBER 10, 2018
It’s no Comedians in Cars getting Coffee , but here’s my draft script for Seating while Eating at Meetings.
Conferences that Work
DECEMBER 3, 2018
Legendary Apple designer Jony Ive explains how learning in community helped Apple make the iPhone: “When we genuinely look at a problem it’s an opportunity to learn together, and we discover something together. We know that learning in community is powerful.
Conferences that Work
JULY 23, 2018
While writing about seeing the gifts in people and events I remembered one of my favorite scenes in Love Actually (2003).
Conferences that Work
SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Paid influencer marketing is spreading to the event industry, and I doubt that it’s an ethical practice. Last week I received the following voice mail (identifying details have been bleeped; transcript below.). link].
Conferences that Work
NOVEMBER 21, 2016
Most people won’t ask questions at meetings. So how can you get authentic audience engagement at your events? In a thoughtful article “ Audience Engagement – at the Heart of Meetings “, Pádraic Gilligan writes: “…We all want audience engagement so why doesn’t it take place?…While
Conferences that Work
OCTOBER 3, 2016
We don’t usually think about the learning models we employ during conference sessions, and I believe our events would be better if we did. Conventional conferences assume a ready supply of experts to whom we listen while they cover the learning that has been advertised at their sessions.
Conferences that Work
JULY 10, 2017
There are some things that the meeting industry doesn’t like to talk about in public. For example: Revenue models. Who actually paid for all that sybaritic F&B? You’ll never know.). Clients from hell. They might figure out it’s them I was talking about and I need the business.).
Conferences that Work
APRIL 30, 2018
Here’s a powerful tool you can use to generate creative event designs. You can use this tool for every aspect of event design. Stylists working on the look and feel of an event often use it to stimulate fresh thinking about the venue, the décor, the lighting, the food and beverage, entertainment, and so on. Rarely, however, is this tool used to design events that creatively incorporate, illuminate, and support core desires and outcomes for the meeting.
Conferences that Work
MAY 22, 2017
Two years have passed since the last update of my favorite iPad/iPhone apps for event professionals. Apps continue to be born, evolve, and, sometimes, die—so it’s time for my latest list of event professionals’ great apps! Read the full article at Conferences That Work.
Conferences that Work
SEPTEMBER 17, 2018
My Dutch friend and expert moderator, Jan Jaap In der Maur , recently shared an innovative format for an in-conference pitch competition he devised for the Conventa Crossover Conference , in Ljubljana, Slovenia: “There were also the Conventa Crossover Awards.
Conferences that Work
OCTOBER 24, 2016
Previously, I’ve described three major trends that make traditional conference formats obsolete: No longer knowing in advance what attendees want to learn ; The rise of online ; and. The massive change in how we learn what we need to know to do our jobs. Here’s a fourth.
Conferences that Work
JULY 30, 2018
I often design and facilitate workshops for association members who mostly haven’t met before. The desired outcomes are for each participant to gain useful and relevant professional insights, and to make significant new connections.
Conferences that Work
AUGUST 6, 2018
Ah, the ubiquitous conference one-hour lecture. How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. Actually I don’t need to do that since Donald Bligh listed them all in his classic book What’s The Use Of Lectures? first published in 1972 ! Rather than reiterate the shortcomings of broadcast-style teaching, I’ll go positive and describe three superior alternatives to sitting through an expert’s non-stop utterances.
Conferences that Work
MARCH 20, 2017
My first public gig as a musician was at David Bowie’s Beckenham Arts Lab. Read the full article at Conferences That Work.
Conferences that Work
MAY 21, 2018
The Solution Room is rapidly becoming a popular meeting plenary.
Conferences that Work
APRIL 3, 2017
“Architecture sets the stage for our lives; it creates the world we inhabit and shapes how we relate to one another. In a time in which democracy is under increasing pressure in different parts of the world, it is time to rethink the architecture of assembly.”
Conferences that Work
DECEMBER 5, 2016
Van Halen ‘s 1982 World Tour performance contract contained a provision calling for them to be provided backstage with a bowl of M&Ms from which all the brown candies had been removed.
Conferences that Work
AUGUST 20, 2018
If I could completely avoid flying American Airlines I would. Not because of the airline’s mediocre rankings in on-time arrivals, lost baggage, fees, and customer satisfaction. After all, there are some airlines that are even worse (Spirit, I’m looking at you ).
Conferences that Work
JULY 2, 2018
Great — a client who doesn’t know what they want! Recently, a client asked for help designing a new conference. Thirty minutes of discussion with three stakeholders revealed they hadn’t yet settled on the event’s specific purpose, scope, and format. From my perspective this is actually a great problem to have. Because most clients engage me after they are committed to programs and logistics that are not optimum for what they’re trying to accomplish!
Conferences that Work
MAY 14, 2018
Long ago, consultant Tom Gilb coined the term “mythodology” to describe erroneous but commonly held beliefs about how something should be done. Here are nine mythodologies about conferences. Mythodology: We know what our attendees want to learn about. Reality : No, you don’t. At least half the sessions programmed at traditional conferences are not what attendees want. Mythodology: Event socials are a good way to meet people.
Conferences that Work
AUGUST 21, 2017
Why do some learning experiences stay burning in our brains and others fade into oblivion? Read the full article at Conferences That Work.
Conferences that Work
SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
Why is experiential learning superior to every other kind? In a word: feedback. Jerry Weinberg explains simply and concisely. “Why is reading or writing something different from doing something? First consider reading. Reading is (usually) a solitary activity, with no feedback.
Conferences that Work
MAY 29, 2017
While stuck in cramped seats during a six-hour Boston to San Francisco flight recently, my wife gently pointed out that I had become quite grumpy. She helped me notice that my lack of body comfort was affecting my mood.
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