The more things change...the more they stay the same

It seems with all of this new technology and our fast changing world, that meetings and events will never be the same. Perhaps in certain ways this is true. But what I often find interesting is that the more things change, the more they stay the same. While I'm not quick to embrace technology, I respect it for what it can do. But the "world" will have you thinking that as soon as the newest gadget comes out, you need to go out and get it, or begin using it in your work.

In the meetings and events industry, it's not quite that simple. What makes meetings and events so powerful is their ability to put you face-to-face with your customer. Even though a virtual event will claim to do the same, they are not able to deliver direct human interaction. I do think there's a role for technology, I just sometimes feel people are adopting it for the sake of, rather than assessing whether it makes sense for their program.

That's why I found the following article on face-to-face interaction very interesting. No matter how much we progress, the "old" always seems to remain relevant. And I think that's a good thing.

What can events do for you?

Hosting a meeting, conference or event is a great way for organizations to reach their target audiences. There's no other part of the marketing matrix as powerful as an event due to their ability to pair you face-to-face with the customer. At The Event Planning Group, LLC, we transform the business of our clients by focusing on events as communications vehicles. Once the sound strategy is in place, the logistics will follow suit.

Click here to watch company President Jennifer Collins share a case study of how one feature of the event process positively impacted a corporation's brand.

To meet or not to meet...that should be the question

Before planning a meeting or event, there are a host of factors to consider. Where some organizations can go wrong is by pushing forward with an event program without first putting the pieces in place. In considering whether to produce an event, there are a host of questions to ponder such as:

• Has the overall strategy and reason for hosting the event been defined?
• Are there adequate budgetary resources to pay for the program?
• Has the program been developed and presenters identified?
• Is there enough time to invite speakers and manage their travel?
• Do you have a qualified list of stakeholders to invite?
• Is there adequate time to promote the event among your stakeholders?
• Have you secured an appropriate venue?
• Are there any competing events that may impact your program's attendance or influence?
• Do you have the human resources in place to manage the program?

This by no means is an exhaustive list -- it's just the beginning. Many of the answers will spur additional questions, and provide a more intimate assessment of a "go/no go" for launch. While there's always a way to get things done last minute, taking your time can really help yield the best results.