Skift Take
User generated Events
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:
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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?
