Once again, a great big thank you to Christopher De Armond of ShowTec Inc (@ShowTecAE) for recapping our last 3 eventprofs conversations!
Eventprofs Recap for
March 8th, 2009, 9pm EST
Topic: The current economic climate and its effect on events
• @rachelES mentioned Jack Welch gave up props in BizWeek. http://tinyurl.com/bpsdmf http://businessweekdaily.com/magazine/content/04_43/b3905032_mz072.htm
• http://bit.ly/XEgnj – Sen. Kerry’s response to the letter writing campaign
• @marksylvester inquired if there were other organizations other than MPI working to defend the industry.
• @ready2spark mentioned that ISES Canada is actively working to defend the industry as well. @AlissaHurley mentioned National Meetings Industry is coming up in Canada – April 16th. Main topic for NMID will be the impact on the economy. Facilitated by CBC News host Carole MacNeil. Good for media coverage!
• @jeffreyhansler mentioned his association talking about letting the hammer fall on Auto industry. May also be for our industry. Sort of like a hard reset; let it fail and it will come back stronger from the ashes
• Many mentioned the need to get word out faster to the masses.
• @Mizcity cited www.ises.com has link on main page to letter writing campaign
• @rachelES has list of at least 10 websites advocating for our industry, asks for patience. (It is a big ship to turn.)
• Consensus on that we need to start generating hard figures and facts. (this has started to a limited degree).
• @jkhewitt mentioned getting the mayors (other than Vegas) to start talking about the impact of loss of tax revenue on their cities.
• @samueljsmith asked if CVB’s would have any facts or figures to contribute. The consensus was yes, but they may be limited in their amount of info.
• @rachelES pointed out not enough pro-meeting stories. We need to start collecting the humanitarian angle and distribute to the appropriate outlets.
• @rachelES posted this great link to pro-meeting stories: : http://tinyurl.com/bykchl
• It was generally agreed on that we need to get every employee of the industry to sign the petition at www.keepamericameeting.org
• @GloNelsonCSEP added that the local MPI chapters have a list of Press contacts to distribute stories and facts to.
• @GregRuby responded to the call for Press with pointing out that the CIC is an umbrella org for multiple affiliations.
• A few attendees mentioned that local cities are starting their own blogs detailing the effects of meetings on their local economy.
• @GregRuby mentioned the Destination Marketing Association International has hard figures and facts on website. (Info seems to be limited to release to members only.)
Topic: Social Media in Events
• @marksylvester gave example of O’Reilly ETech conference using SM to monitor conference for feedback, problems and requests.
• Several stories given in regards to SM generating new leads/business. (i.e. Facebook, Blogs, etc. Twitter, not so much).
• Consensus reached that Twitter helps to open doors, still need f2f to close the deal.
• Also, agreed that SM is showing a generational gap in adoption
• @marksylvester and @GloNelsonCSEP shared stories of boosting attendance to a talk at conference by using Twitter.
• @marksylvester shared this link: http://pistachioconsulting.com/twitter-presentations/ showing usefulness of Twitter at conferences.
• Idea mentioned for SM consultants. Training for corporations, groups and associations on how to adopt SM. @GloNelsonCSEP made an excellent point about most companies scaling back on expenditures.
• Consensus on the importance of f2f at Conferences and events, SM helps to continue the experience.
• Many conferences and events with on-site training in SM have been a huge crowd draw, people want to learn how to adopt new technology.
• @jkhewitt mentioned time where group could SM like pros, had nothing to say to each other in person.
Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
President – ISES Toronto
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