As part of the late venture with amiando, we sparked a series of user generated events across the world, to display the power of our online community.

Obviously clever people were listening, they implemented what we pioneered and are now getting great successes.

Photo by b_heyer via Flickr

We feel good about it, because we creatively shared that.

Good News

Good news is that we are sharing right now as we speak and we are way forward compared to what’s going on right now. It’s a fact.

Leave us alone

We strongly suggest you unsubscribe from this blog if you are perpetrating practices of a distant past.

On the other hand, if you like challenges we have few suggestions for you:

- We think that Pecha Kucha is the way to go.

- We think that technology should be part of the present event industry as it increases streams of revenue while decreasing intangibility of the event in itself.

Start now

If you read this blog you are well aware of new trends and whatever is going on with Event Planning 2.0, but make sure:

- You read most of it, search categories and get out of your comfort zone.

- Interact, commenting on each post.

- Engage in our communities, specially on Linkedin where we are more than 6500 (yeah you remember when we were 400).

- Get in touch directly with Julius, if you want targeted guidance with your project.

Recently, the Event Manager Blog posted a great article on the differences between Webcasting and Webconferencing, and went on to detail the role of the event manager in both instances.

I’d like to add my two cents, and describe another exciting new resource—virtual events and environments—that is helping event managers extend both the reach and impact of their events, even as budgets and travel continue to decline.

What is Virtual Event Technology?

Today’s virtual events are multi-faceted, user friendly and highly interactive. Technologies have advanced to the point where virtual events look and feel remarkably like their physical counterparts.

Virtual events can be used to deliver everything from company-wide gatherings, executive presentations, trainings, departmental meetings and product development sessions led by everyone from the CEO and divisional presidents to product engineers and human resources. In doing so, a company can not only cut down on the need for corporate travel, but also build a stronger sense of shared vision and community within the organization.

A Changing Landscape

According to a recent corporate travel spending survey by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), 33 percent of the 131 companies surveyed indicated they would be spending less on travel next year.

Fortunately, virtual events can help fill the hole left by diminishing business travel by offering an economically and environmentally sound way to bring thousands of attendees to an event. They also deliver some of the richest marketing data available (because the anonymity of prospects evaporates) and entice more C-level executives to attend because they have the luxury of popping in for just a couple of hours.

What’s more, virtual events are enabling meaningful online participation at 50 to 80 percent of the cost of physical events.

Augmenting an in-person event with a virtual environment can significantly increase the “buzz” leading up to the main event. Event managers can leverage virtual environments to distribute timely promotional information about an upcoming physical event to prospective attendees, or provide a glimpse of what they’ll see at the physical event.

Likewise, virtual technology is useful after an event has concluded by providing an ongoing destination for attendees and sponsors. Presentations and collateral can be archived to play “on demand.” This provides an added convenience to attendees or to those who were unable to attend, while generating more leads for sponsors to cultivate.

The Real World Benefits of Virtual Events

For the host, virtual events are a more economical way to bring thousands of attendees to an event. Fast time to market is also an attractive advantage. Additionally, many more C-level executives are able to attend a virtual event because they have the luxury of popping in for a couple hours.

For attendees, the benefits are clear and simple. They gain access to valuable information before, during and after an event. Even if they can’t attend in person, they are afforded the opportunity to learn and network through virtual participation.

Job satisfaction and employee morale is another noteworthy byproduct of virtual events in the case of both external and internal events. Let’s face it, air travel isn’t getting any easier as over-bookings and long delays take their toll on the traveling public.  The headaches and frustration—as well as the productivity losses—of physical meetings are bypassed with virtual events, while affording employees the opportunity to learn and network from the comfort of their desks.

And last but not certainly least, for event managers, the opportunity to present a unique, cost effective alternative or extension to a physical event demonstrates innovation and leadership. And, as professionals in the business of building audiences, a virtual environment can extend reach in a highly measurable manner.

Pecha Kucha nights were started in 2003 by Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein in Tokyo. The nights are aimed at young designers, the format teaches a lot to all of us engaged with boring presentations.

Pecha Kucha means chit-chat. Back in 2003 two architects started what is now a very popular movement, with nights all over the globe.

Why?

The format answers to a compelling question, how to give space to young designers without throwing the audience in 2 hours long, endless presentations.

How?

Mark and Astrid created the 20 presenters/20 slides/20 seconds format.

20 designer are given the chance to present a total of 20 slides, 20 seconds each, for a total of 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

As simple as that.

Results

An immediate result is that attention levels are kept very high and everyone involved gets value out of the experience.

Pecha Kucha are now held in more than 157 cities all over the World. They spread with no advertising. Only word of mouth.

Lecturers in universities are now asking their design students to present their assignments in this format.

Autodesk is using Pecha Kucha for its annual sales meetings.

Some videos:

More posts on the subject:

- Presentation Zen

 - Wired

- Pecha Kucha Daily 

- Tips for presenters

Action

I am throwing this to you so it can rock the way you approach events. I am sincerely getting bored of regular things, for regular people.

If you changed the rules in your event, let us know. This blog is here to listen to your story.

If you are a traditional event manager (or studying to become one) and think that recession is the major threat for your career, I think you are not on the right track.

There are several trends in event management that are making the role as we know it obsolete. I am convinced that we are trying to sell CDs during the hype of the MP3 era.

Of course this could be arguable. Events will always take plae and there will always be someone in charge of management. But the skills required are completely new.

Here are few of the trends who represent a threat for the traditional event manager:

- User generated Events

BarCamps, unconferences and Meetups have given the power to the user. Scientific committees or sponsor panels can no longer control content. In the future if you’ll ask to pay 400$ for a one day conference, you’ll be probably laughed at and find yourself in a budget drama.

- Technology

Technological changes are making several professions redundant. Webinars, online conferences, Second Life meetings and events to name a few require new management skills. Just have a look at the video below and draw your conclusions.

- Environment

The environment is claiming back what has been abused. We need to learn fast how to make our events sustainable, source local products, reduce waste and communicate that to our attendees. Consumers are getting extremely educated about what being green means and that will soon be a given, not an extra.

All of the above could be seen as threats.

In these trends I see he future of our profession. We need to start to integrate them in our practice immediately, to grow our set of skills.

What we see in front of us is just a matter of perspective. My view is positive and enthusiastic, what about yours?

As part of the Global Event Management section, a featured interview with Todd Thurston, president and CEO of CretiveWharehouse.

Convention Capture is a service offered by Creative Warehouse, Inc. creators of the MarketLearn(TM) design and development model, will create an ongoing return from your event by keeping your message in front of your target audience year-round, while simultaneously promoting next year’s event with their Convention Capture services.

They have serviced numerous Fortune-500 clients. Aspects of their services range from video and audio highlights of events to complete recorded workshops and keynotes. One of their most popular ad-on services is the Convention Highlight video, generally played to attendees during the gala event.

I invite you to check the above links for more information.

1. What cultural characteristics should one consider when planning an event in Atlanta?

Atlanta has a wide variety of cultural opportunities which brings a wide variety of people to Atlanta to live and work but the main thing one should be prepared for is the southern hospitality. Most people you will work with or run into are polite and kind and are willing to help you with what you need. (There of course arealways exceptions)

2. What are the major opportunities of hosting a corporate event in Atlanta?

Atlanta has some of the best, newest, and updated venues such as the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia International Convention Center, Gwinnett Center, and more than 120 more meeting places. Some of the locations such as the Georgia Aquarium and the High Museum are very fascinating and enjoyable locations for events.

The resources to help make your event the best it could possibly be are also found here from catering to AV and from technology to marketing.

3. What barriers could one face when planning a corporate event in Atlanta ?

Most recently the biggest barrier was a tornado that swept through the city but thankfully that is not usually anything anyone has to worry about and Atlanta quickly resolved the problems that arose with that one.

In the summer it does get HOT in Atlanta – that is partly one reason it is called Hotlanta. Depending on the climate you are coming from you will also want to consider the humidity.

4. What special logistics considerations would you suggest to take into account?

If your event or activities are going to be in multiple locations make sure you have a great transportation plan. Many of the activities and locations downtown are close by but if you have to board buses or take transit you will want to watch the time of day because rush hour in the morning and evening can get very heavy, especially if there are several events taking place at the same time.

5. Three attributes one should have to plan successfully in Atlanta.

Open Minded – being able to ask questions and listen to those who know the area can lead you to a better event experience!

Experienced – use it appropriately to make sure all of your details are in place before and after and give credit to those who help you make it happen.

Courteous – being demanding never pays off

6. The day of the event your survival kit should definitely include.

A contingency plan – A back up of your schedule, contacts, etc. (non-electronic) in case something should happen to your preferred gadget. The ability to build relationships prior to your event and comfort in calling on them if you need them the day of your event. The ability to laugh and enjoy your hard work – getting frustrated will only add to any problems that arise – it’ll work out!

If you are planning on coming to Atlanta here is a link to an online press kit

7. What’s the latest trend in corporate events in Atlanta?

One of the interesting trends happening is the idea of building attendance around the destination. The ACVB tells us that “More than ever, meeting planners are requesting destinations to provide value, a unique experience and assist with generating attendance.”

Other noteworthy trends sweeping the industry include green initiatives and the implementation of social media programs (blogging, podcasting, etc.)

The trend that Creative Warehouse, Inc. / Convention Capture is building is helping planners get the most out of their event by letting us help them custom build a marketing and retention tool that keeps their event message alive while at the same time promote their next event!

We’ll start out with one of my favorite, Paris.

Olivier Magny is the founder and owner of O Chateau in Paris. O Chateau is the pioneer Wine Tasting Company in Paris. The staff at O Chateau is fully dedicated to delivering entertaining ad educational wine tasting events to both individuals and corporations. Wine Tasting Presentations, Wine Games, Wine Casinos, Wine Classes, in a Parisian loft, at a Parisian restaurant, in a medieval castle, on a boat on the Seine, in a secret cellar, on a vineyard in Provence or at a Chateau in Bordeaux … O Chateau does it all, making wine more exciting than ever.

More details on O Chateau’s website: www.o-chateau.com

1. What cultural characteristics should one consider when planning an event in Paris?

The main thing to take into account is that you are dealing with French people!!

With their own views and ways of thinking and reacting to such or such situation.

For that, I believe it’s best to have a French person on the front raw. Someone able to deal with the French!

2. What are the major opportunities of hosting a corporate event in Paris?

Paris is the leading city in the world for corporate events for many reasons. It has so much to offer for and after work: wonderful restaurants, incredible scenery, stunning culture, amazing venues…

But it is also a very well equipped city, well connected with efficient public transportation system and a great variety of hotels and activities.

On top of this, Paris is very central a destination for people from all around the world. It is also always a tempting one: who refuses to go to Paris?

3. What barriers could one face when planning a corporate event in Paris?

For really large events, you have to deal with French authorities. And trust me… you don’t want to have to do this.

For most events though, the main constraint is budget. Anything is possible in Paris but prices rise quite rapidly!

4. What special logistics considerations would you suggest to take into account?

Traffic in Paris is terrible. It is a necessity taking this into account. That means finding the best venues, close to one another and the best times of day for transfers…

5. Three attributes one should have to plan successfully in Paris.

Ability to listen and to understand: Both your clients and your suppliers.

Attention to details: Before the event and during the event.

Experience: Knowing the most adapted format to offer your clients is the best way to guarantee a successful event.

6. The day of the event your survival kit should definitely include.

A cell phone with a battery fully charged, all contact info for all guests, clients and suppliers, back up numbers for changes in plans (transfer companies, clubs…).

Also, an extra shirt & tie.

And for our specific business: extra corkscrews, wine maps, aprons (and a couple of good bottles to offer our clients)!

7. What’s the latest trend in corporate events in Paris?

Catering companies love these little