Event Tech Blog

July 3, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Recently, one of our more verbose community commentators, DevilsAdvocate, offered his thoughts on a recent post: Here Comes The Next Great Technology Thing for Exhibitions and Events.  While mixing in a little humor, his criticism had some valid observations.

I predict that in the year 2015 our industry will still not have standards, and as a result, the hodgepodge of solutions being brought to this industry every year will continue to be laughed at by the real world. Without standards every important innovation that could make a difference in this market will be DOA.

Sadly, I think DevilsAdvocate may be right.  His point hits on one of my biggest soapbox topics – o...Read More
Industries: Associations, Events, Management Update, Meetings, People, People, People, People, Show Management, Speakers, Technology, Tradeshows, Tradeshows

July 1, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (4)

With a large number of speaking requests for social media, a hot topic of great interest is the enigma of Twitter.  Is it a viable business tool or a passing fad?  Should show management ignore or embrace it?  Can corporate event marketers harness it to promote their brand? 

There are plenty of examples where the use of Twitter, combined with other social media solutions, can benefit an organization.

But dark clouds are beginning to appear on the digital horizon.  I have lined out six trends with Twitter that may signal serious challenges in moving to mainstream adoption.

The Choir isn’t all happy anymore
Some of the advocates of Twitter, the...Read More
Industries: Associations, Events, Management Update, Meetings, People, People, People, People, Production Technology, Show Management, Speakers, Technology, Tradeshows, Tradeshows

June 24, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

If you are in London this morning, stop by Earl's Court #2 and join Arran Coole of ASPEvents, Todd Turbo Watson with IBM, Heidi Williams of Tarsus and me for a fun morning of discussions regarding social media and the use of these tools for the recruitment of audience members and exhibitors.

If you can't be there in person, we will also have a Tweet Chat room for #mto that will allow Twitters to particiate in the conversation and ask questions.

Cheers

June 21, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

I arrived Saturday, June 20th, in London for the preparations for the MTO Summit UK.  I have it on best authority that there are still some seats available, so if you are reading this post and have a desire to attend, and happen to be in London, send me a quick email to stephen@advontech.com and I can provide some passes.  Can't promise it will be free, but can probably get a decent discount off the 50 GBP.  

I am staying at Think apartments that include a kitchen and washer/dryer.  While my room is very clean and efficient, it is quite small and does not have Internet access.  I am considering another hotel to stay connected.

Last night I went to a local grocery store – Tesco, and purchased a mea...Read More
Industries: Associations, Destinations, Events, Exhibiting, Management Update, Meetings, People, People, People, People, Show Management, Technology, Tradeshows, Tradeshows

June 8, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

The Convention Industry Council 2009 CMP Conclave hosted "The State of the Meetings Industry Power Panel" this morning in San Antonio, Texas and generated some exciting, almost heated, dialogue.  The All-Star list of industry panelists included

Moderator: 

Eric Allen, Executive Director, Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association and 2009 Chair CIC Board of Directors

...Read More