Social Media & Technology
April 2, 2013
Why social gaming will amaze at your next meeting or event
If you understand the opposite of play is not work, but the opposite of play is depression, then you will begin to understand the importance of including social gaming into your corporate meetings or events.
March 12, 2013
Seven tips to maximize your presence on LinkedIn
Unless you have serious resources allocated to social media, I would encourage you to put greater focus on one area of online relationship-building and do a great job there versus having a presence everywhere and not really reaching anyone. I personally think that LinkedIn is a great resource for building professional connections and increasing business. You have to fish where your fish are. For me, my audience is largely professional executives and entrepreneurs, so LinkedIn makes sense for me. Evaluate your audience and do your research.
February 28, 2013
Neuroscience and your meetings
The understanding of neuroscience behind meeting planning has had more attention in the past year than at any time in the history of meetings. With so much on our plates already, why is it important to understand how this research impacts us? Each of our attendees comes to the meeting with expectations including the needs for education and connection that have to be met, and a hosting organization that is seeking to be the thought leader is to provide these opportunities.
December 18, 2012
Site International Foundation’s annual forecast indicates motivational travel volume on upswing
The Site International Foundation has released results of the latest Site Index Annual Survey. The Site Index compiles and compares data over a number of years to track changes and forecast trends in the motivational events industry. This third year of the study measures movement in key indices as well as introduces new topics of discussion.
December 11, 2012
There’s a green app for that!
Conferences and meetings can have significant carbon footprints. Power, ground transportation, air travel, paper and many aspects of an event can all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Knowledge is the key towards sustainability and increased social responsibility. More and more meeting planners are recognizing the importance of planning a green event and want to do their part in helping the environment.
December 11, 2012
Meeting the challenge: Three Canadian corporate planners weigh in on the top industry issues
From shrinking budgets to the social media revolution, today’s corporate meeting and event planners are faced with a multitude of constantly shifting priorities and unique challenges. How are some of Canada’s top corporate planners meeting these challenges and devising solutions for their respective organizations? Join the conversation as CM&E checks in with three leading planners in the Canadian corporate meetings industry and gets them to weigh in on some of today’s most pressing issues
December 10, 2012
Top 10 food and wine apps for event planning
Whether planning a function for 2,000 or a private event for 20, event planners are turning to mobile apps to facilitate the planning of special functions. With new food and wine apps launching daily, it is easy to become overwhelmed. The team at MeetingApps.com selects the top 10 food and wine apps for meetings and events to help with the process.
November 20, 2012
Site Index examines the vital role of social media in the motivational events industry
The Site International Foundation has released the results of the Site Index: Focus on Technology and Social Media. The study examines the ever-changing role of technology in the incentive travel and motivational events industry and concentrates on the use of social media in designing, promoting and delivering programs and events.
November 14, 2012
QR code mistakes and how to avoid them for your event promotions
There’s a lot of chatter about whether QR codes (2D barcodes) are a technology for the future or are they just another fad. Here’s my take: I think they are still a viable technology for use in marketing and events in the future. The up and coming technology that could replace some QR code use is NFC (near field communications). However, that is a more sophisticated technology, the set up of which is out of the comfort zone of many businesses at present. As well, I find I still have to explain how to even use QR codes to visitors at many events I attend. Their use is still not as commonplace as the media would have you believe.
November 6, 2012
Don’t worry, be Appy: Seven tips to elevate your game with mobile event applications
In a technological world that is spinning faster and faster, if you are not including even the simplest of event applications or social media technology, you are likely to be forgotten amidst the many who have and have done so successfully.
September 26, 2012
What’s hot and what’s not in tech promotional products
In the day and age we’re in, one might naturally think that all manner of electronic, computer and tech gadgetry would be the “it” promotions to have. That may or may not be the best choice. Let’s look at the numbers.
September 11, 2012
How to get real value out of taking events virtual
In the events world, the word “virtual” seems to be about as popular and powerful as “cloud” is in the IT space. In other words, it’s being thrown on just about everything that has some sort of online component. Source: By Eric Vidal
September 5, 2012
Top 10 green meeting apps
Joseph Lo, Meeting Appspert and Kirsten Strand, BSc, CITE, CMM, LEED Green Associate select the top 10 green meeting apps. Knowledge is the key towards sustainability and increased social responsibility. Whether your goal is to decrease CO2 emissions, travel-related fuel consumption or paper usage, the following smart phone apps will assist meeting planners in operating a green meeting.
September 1, 2012
Generation next: Are demographic shifts having an impact on meetings?
While younger generations, commonly referred to as Generation X and Y, together outnumber boomers, they do not have the experience or aren’t necessarily interested in replacing boomers in certain sectors. Industry groups from tourism to petroleum are warning of labour shortages starting as early as 2013. So what does this have to do with meetings? If bringing people face-to-face is meant to facilitate learning and change, motivating and engaging employees, demographic shifts may represent important challenges to the way meetings and events are planned.
September 1, 2012
Assessing trends in AV technology for corporate meetings and events
While some believe that the evolution of meetings technology is accelerating at a staggering pace - with the recent influx of event mobile apps and the use of social media to provide a virtual voice to attendees in real time - others argue that these fads come and go. The fact is, however, that the core AV solutions haven’t changed much for many years. Source: By Andrew De La Cour
August 20, 2012
Four Points by Sheraton survey reveals mobile device habits of business travellers worldwide
When today’s road warriors hit the trail, they are armed with three or four mobile devices to help them stay connected to office and home. They are more inclined to carry a tablet than a laptop. And, when these business travellers communicate with the home front from their hotel room, they are most likely do so with a video chat.
August 1, 2012
Top 10 risk management apps you should know about
Kirsten Strand, BSc, CMM, CITE and Joseph Lo, co-Founders of MeetingApps.com, share the "Top 10 risk management apps you should know about". With thousands of downloadable apps available, www.MeetingApps.com was created to easily find the apps relevant to the meetings and travel industry. Whether you are managing a meeting for over a thousand attendees or just interested in discovering new tools to assist with your personal safety on your next vacation, the following risk management apps will give you that piece of mind.
July 19, 2012
The future of web-based event registration and why you should be using it
Web-based registration systems have rectified many event registration problems of the past. Credit cards are encrypted; credit card holders are immediately notified if their card is not acceptable; drop down menus and ‘must complete’ fields ensure the correct information is input by the attendee. All this happens in the blink of an eye in today’s world. As this article is being written in summer 2012, mobile registration apps are just beginning to hit the conference world. What does the future hold for registration technology?
July 3, 2012
Tips for creating a blockbuster virtual environment
With all the blockbuster science fiction movies that are made these days, it’s hard to believe that sci-fi was once consider second-tier or “B” movie material – suitable for summer release to drive-ins and not much else. It wasn’t until 1977, when George Lucas sprung a little movie called Star Wars on an unsuspecting public, that Hollywood began looking at science fiction as worth the investment. Source: By Eric Vidal
June 19, 2012
Using a mobile app for events? How to promote it right!
As a speaker, I’m always thrilled to see that a conference or meeting is using a mobile app to connect with attendees and offer helpful event information. It can eliminate the need for promotional conference totes, folders and, most importantly, reams of paper. Score one for the planet!
June 18, 2012
Pinterest 101 for event planners
If you haven’t heard of Pinterest by now, let me tell you a little bit about it. Pinterest is all about inspiring others, and depending on what line of business you’re in, you can use it to do just that. Source: By Angela Zaltsman
June 5, 2012
Maritz Research conducts comprehensive study to gauge what the future holds for meetings
If you’ve ever lost your way in a huge convention centre, confused by a maze of booths and meeting rooms, there just may be an app to help you get where you need to go. In fact, the use of apps for conventions and meetings offer a one-stop-shop or clearinghouse experience for everything from scheduled appointments, floor layout, seminars, social media, news and much more - all on smartphone and tablet devices. And bid a fond farewell to PowerPoint presentations because in the meetings of tomorrow, they are “yesterday.”
May 30, 2012
Eight great examples to enhance your meetings with virtual technologies
The explosion of virtual meetings and events is just ramping up and is expected to triple in the next five years. Through the convergence of technology, bandwidth and mobile devices, marketing managers, sales managers and meeting professionals will see not only more “virtual only meetings” but also a wide range of “hybrid meetings,” defined as a combination of face-to-face (f2f) and virtual attendees and components. These “live-plus” virtual events will dramatically change the face of the conference meeting, event and tradeshow industries. Get ready for a wild ride!
May 14, 2012
Ten critical tips for incorporating IT into your next meeting or event
The main purpose of an event or a meeting is to have “face-to-face” engagement with the attendees. The meeting and event industry is in a transition period where event planners can increase attendee retention and maximize on extended audiences all around the world through electronic means. Anyone planning an event must be sure to let IT enhance the program, not swallow it! Events are based on “face-to-face” time with clients, peers and colleagues.
April 25, 2012
A new sheriff in town: Canada’s anti-spam legislation, part two
When Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), Bill C-28, was passed in December 2010, almost no one took notice. Business groups such as the Canadian Marketing Association were still meeting with federal officials to see how the spirit of the law would be applied and regulated. Now that we are told the law should be effective in mid-2012, the challenge is to make sure your email marketing practices comply with the legislation.
April 4, 2012
Delta Hotels and Resorts launches fastest Internet of any full service hotel chain in Canada
Delta Hotels and Resorts today announced that 17 of its properties across Canada have upgraded their bandwidth to provide the fastest Internet service available in any full service hotel chain in Canada, the company says. This new offering, called InternetXL, will provide service that is 20 times faster than household high-speed Internet.
April 2, 2012
Survey says Canadian workers want less tech and more face-to-face communication
Findings from Randstad's latest Global Workmonitor, surveying employees in 29 countries around the world, reveal that Canadian workers can't stand technological interruptions during meetings and want more face time with their colleagues.
March 28, 2012
Survival of the fittest - what’s the future of event planning for associations?
Have you noticed numbers declining at associations’ annual conferences and tradeshows? If you are a professional member of an association, do you know why more of you aren’t coming out? Are you unsatisfied with the education and networking?
March 27, 2012
Steps to promoting an event on Facebook
With social media being the buzz of today and gaining momentum everyday, it is smart to get on the bandwagon and use these platforms to your company’s advantage. Social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are providing a broad area to connect with people and other companies. It makes it a perfect platform to share real-time information and promote your events.
March 1, 2012
Establishing trust and rapport in non face-to-face situations
When I was approached to write this article I thought, “sure, no sweat.” After all, I run a company that helps meetings industry organizations grow their business through phone and email lead generation programs. I’ve been teaching my clients and employees how to build trust and rapport for the last 14 years we’ve been in business.
March 1, 2012
Five tips for hybrid meeting success
What do you get when you take a typical live event such as a conference, meeting or seminar, add in some high-tech tools such as smartphones, audience response systems and the Internet, and top it off with social media, webinars and other interactive technology? As you’ll discover in this special CMN V-Report, this marriage of technology and face-to-face meeting is known as a Hybrid Event and it is sending a wave of change through today’s event planning industry. Source: By Sean Moon
February 28, 2012
Benchmark Hospitality International releases its 2012 top 10 meeting trends
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading hospitality management company, which operates 35 award-winning hotels, resorts, and conference centres coast to coast, announces its Top Ten Meeting Trends for 2012 as observed by its properties.
February 22, 2012
A new sheriff in town: Canada’s anti-spam legislation
There’s a new sheriff in town for anyone involved in email marketing in Canada. Its name is Bill C-28. It’s been setting up shop over the last year. Its main purpose is to enforce the email behaviour that will soon be expected of you.
February 14, 2012
Survey reveals social media is a critical marketing tool for event planners; usage expected to increase
A new survey from Constant Contact®, Inc. finds that social media marketing has become a critical marketing tool for small businesses and nonprofits planning events, with 77 per cent of event planners currently using social media to market their events, and another 14 per cent planning to do so in the next year.
January 11, 2012
How to add value to your event using new technologies and web-based features
Technologies and web based features are developing at an extremely rapid pace, and choosing options that can add value to one’s business can be overwhelming at times. Here is a quick guide that can help with your shopping.
January 5, 2012
Top 10 Free iPhone/iPad Meeting Apps of 2011
Meeting planners are continuously searching for ways their attendees can become more efficient. Mobile meeting apps have proven to be effective tools in increasing productivity and providing greater mobility. With over 500,000 iPhone/iPad apps available, www.MeetingApps.com simplifies the selection process. Here are our top 10 must-have apps of 2011 for meeting attendees to consider. They’re all free, too!
November 14, 2011
Social media marketing for destination management companies
In the era of ever changing communication media and rapid technological advancement, companies are now dedicating a growing portion of their marketing campaigns to social media platforms. Large corporations have created positions for full time community managers, and companies dedicated to content management are being created everywhere. One may wonder how destination management companies (DMCs) should position themselves and what should be their approach to a social media marketing campaign. …
