Event Tech Blog

March 29, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

The Society of Independent Show Organizers launched the 2009 CEO Summit today in Grand del Mar Resort in San Diego, CA.  Many friends and colleagues are attending and earlier this year it was on my calendar also.  Unfortunately I am not able to attend but I know it will be another exciting event.

All the best to this year’s SISO CEO Summit.  I hope to hear great feedback about the event.
Industries: Associations, Events, Exhibiting, Management Update, People, People, People, People, Show Management, Speakers

March 28, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

As I continue to review my notes from MTO Summit Washington DC, I noted some absolute truths for association executives in designing infrastructure for an online community.  I consider these guidelines as important as the mortar that holds together a house:

1) Don’t rely on community members to drive content
If you leave it to the community members to spark the debate, you will end up with little interest and little debate.  Consider some of the lightening rod issues in your industry and place them into the discussion forum on a regular basis.  You will be surprised at how quickly you stimulate traffic and increase membership.

2) Participate today
I continue to meet association executives you tell me they are waiting to start up a community once they feel

...Read More
Industries: Associations, Events, Exhibiting, Management Update, Meetings, People, People, People, People, Show Management, Speakers, Technology, Tradeshows, Tradeshows

March 27, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Dave Lutz with Velvet Chainsaw and I spoke about Facebook and LinkedIn groups in a Hands-On session at the MTO Summit.  These short workshops gave us a chance to focus on the value of these tools in creating communities.

After establishing the value of viral marketing, we outlined tips in for these New Media solutions:

Do something unexpected - This challenge has been underlined by several great thought leaders including Seth Godin's The Purple Cow and The Big M

...Read More
Industries: Associations, AV & Technology, Destinations, Destinations, Events, Exhibiting, Management Update, Meetings, People, People, People, People, Production Technology, Show Management, Site Selection, Speakers, Speakers & Entertainment, Technology, Tradeshows, Tradeshows

March 23, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

Interesting news for our industry technology suppliers today. 

AllianceTech announced the acquisition of nTag technology and assets today.  

Makes sense.  This move probably solved some issues for nTag customers who had already invested into a solution.  Combined with the AllianceTech offering, this addition creates a strong interactive set of tools.

Don't be surprised if we see a few more partnerships or mergers this year.  Recessions promote competitors acquisitions.  Strong industry players will seek struggling organizations with tangible custo...Read More
Industries: Associations, AV & Technology, Destinations, Destinations, Events, Exhibiting, Management Update, People, People, People, People, Production Technology, Show Management, Speakers, Technology, Tradeshows, Tradeshows

March 20, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

It is not a good PR day when the buzz of your event is all about the inability to connect via the iPhone.  Especially when those connecting are the Twitter elite users who are so dependent on real time updates to connect with friends and find the best restaurants.

As AT&T’s 3G phone network in Austin, Texas was overwhelmed the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference attendees, social gatherings often included comments about the poor cell service. Wired magazine ran an article the day after the trouble began that included some pretty crude comments about the service.

When bloggers from the tradeshow floor began to post, AT&T bashing became a favorite sport.  A sample google search uncovered a huge backlash of negative attitudes including ...Read More
Industries: Associations, AV & Technology, Conferences, Events, Meetings, People, People, People, People, Production Technology, Speakers, Speakers & Entertainment, Technology, Tradeshows, Tradeshows