Comments on: The Future of Conference Events – Looking after the Health of Attendees http://www.elsua.net/2009/03/31/the-future-of-conference-events-looking-after-the-health-of-attendees/ A blog about Knowledge Management, Communities, Collaboration, Learning, Social Computing and Work/Life Balance Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:14:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sean Bohan http://www.elsua.net/2009/03/31/the-future-of-conference-events-looking-after-the-health-of-attendees/comment-page-1/#comment-1036237 Sean Bohan Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:17:41 +0000 http://www.elsua.net/?p=2067#comment-1036237 Thanks for the link Luis - hoped you liked the post. Love the topic of watching out for the health of the attendees. I think in some cases these shows are still catching up to the users both in services and expectations. One conference I love is Gnomedex because Chris and Ponzi really do a great job on the space, the wifi, having power at every seat and a decent desk/chair combo combined with great healthy food, plenty of hydration and lots of breakout space to meet and talk to folks. I have found with one large conference provider that they are still catching up with the users as far as expectations go. The conference quality is great, but the wifi sucks, or you can only plug in at the "charging lounge" which is as far from the action as you could get or the food is a really crappy box lunch. There was a day (in the mid 90s) when everyone DIDNT have a laptop and shot video or recorded audio or livestreamed anything. THey were happy that the schwagbag had a pen and pad to take notes with. These guys are still catching up :) Thanks for the link Luis – hoped you liked the post.

Love the topic of watching out for the health of the attendees. I think in some cases these shows are still catching up to the users both in services and expectations. One conference I love is Gnomedex because Chris and Ponzi really do a great job on the space, the wifi, having power at every seat and a decent desk/chair combo combined with great healthy food, plenty of hydration and lots of breakout space to meet and talk to folks.

I have found with one large conference provider that they are still catching up with the users as far as expectations go. The conference quality is great, but the wifi sucks, or you can only plug in at the “charging lounge” which is as far from the action as you could get or the food is a really crappy box lunch.

There was a day (in the mid 90s) when everyone DIDNT have a laptop and shot video or recorded audio or livestreamed anything. THey were happy that the schwagbag had a pen and pad to take notes with.

These guys are still catching up :)

]]> By: When Planning Events, Don’t forget the Attendees » CA Communications Consultants Blog http://www.elsua.net/2009/03/31/the-future-of-conference-events-looking-after-the-health-of-attendees/comment-page-1/#comment-1024132 When Planning Events, Don’t forget the Attendees » CA Communications Consultants Blog Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:16:07 +0000 http://www.elsua.net/?p=2067#comment-1024132 [...] to new ideas, and maybe even have a bit of fun.  But Lois argues that attendees also want to be healthy and comfortable.  So, being in the business of conference logistics, we thought we’d offer an easy set of [...] [...] to new ideas, and maybe even have a bit of fun.  But Lois argues that attendees also want to be healthy and comfortable.  So, being in the business of conference logistics, we thought we’d offer an easy set of [...]

]]> By: Brian Duggan http://www.elsua.net/2009/03/31/the-future-of-conference-events-looking-after-the-health-of-attendees/comment-page-1/#comment-1022463 Brian Duggan Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:00:10 +0000 http://www.elsua.net/?p=2067#comment-1022463 Luis--thanks for speaking out on this. I also write about the changing nature of events in an online world, and am struck by the increasing and inherent stress of being at events, whether blogging or attending, while dealing with the pressure to take care of business back home. This is challenging for the nervous system, even in advance of the physical issues you mention. If interested, my most recent post on how Twitter is changing events can be found here: www.conferencebitesblog.com Luis–thanks for speaking out on this. I also write about the changing nature of events in an online world, and am struck by the increasing and inherent stress of being at events, whether blogging or attending, while dealing with the pressure to take care of business back home. This is challenging for the nervous system, even in advance of the physical issues you mention. If interested, my most recent post on how Twitter is changing events can be found here: http://www.conferencebitesblog.com

]]> By: Swan http://www.elsua.net/2009/03/31/the-future-of-conference-events-looking-after-the-health-of-attendees/comment-page-1/#comment-1022380 Swan Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:00:50 +0000 http://www.elsua.net/?p=2067#comment-1022380 Luis, Thx for linking to my post at <a href="http://swanthinks.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/future-conferences-part-1/" rel="nofollow">"Future Business"</a>. So many things that can be improved about conferences. I worked in a business that provided speakers for conferences so I have seen a bit behind the curtain. My explanation for your experience is that many conference organizers are trying to squeeze every last penny of margin from their conferences. Where they can cut a corner, they will to save a tiny bit of cost...usually to the detriment of the attendees. I am in the process of building a business that will provide ways to consume keynote speakers other than in person. I hope that will be one step in the right direction to far superior conferences. Website for speakerinteractive.com coming in the next few weeks. All the best, Swan Luis, Thx for linking to my post at “Future Business”. So many things that can be improved about conferences. I worked in a business that provided speakers for conferences so I have seen a bit behind the curtain. My explanation for your experience is that many conference organizers are trying to squeeze every last penny of margin from their conferences. Where they can cut a corner, they will to save a tiny bit of cost…usually to the detriment of the attendees.

I am in the process of building a business that will provide ways to consume keynote speakers other than in person. I hope that will be one step in the right direction to far superior conferences. Website for speakerinteractive.com coming in the next few weeks.

All the best, Swan

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