As anyone who knows me will attest, I am of an elder generation than those who are perfectly comfortable with social media of all sorts. I don’t know how I became a part of the elder generation…it just happened somehow. Keeping up with technology can be somewhat of a challenge for anyone these days, but a whole new type of personal (and not-so-personal) communication has evolved over the internet. By and large it’s great! But how does this elder generation embrace and engage something like this? Well, I did it by jumping in with both feet (sort of) by joining Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. And of course I learn something new about those platforms every day. Earlier today, I was instant messaging with my son from within Facebook. I didn’t know it would do that!
I digress! IAAM has now come forward with yet another social networking platform called VenueNet. Being one who enjoys a challenge, I asked the ever-popular Dana Glazier if she would consider including me as VenueNet was developed. She welcomed me to the fold because I think she delighted in having an old you-know-what on the team as a representative of the Jurassic period to see if someone like me could get it! Ha…little did she know that in 1992 I was the very first IAAM member who used a computer to electronically communicate with the IAAM Executive Director, not over the Internet, but over a dial-up modem from my computer directly to World Headquarters. My first experience with the new platform was with the Higher Logic User Group (HUG for short) and I found there to be a few challenges entering my profile information, but it was pretty straight forward. Higher Logic is the company who owns the platform that VenueNet is on.
Then came the beta test group so I could start putting my personal profile information on IAAM’s VenueNet platform. I got that email last week and in a very short period of time, I was up and running. I was pleased that a fair amount of information was already pre-populated on the personal profile. It was really, really easy to complete the rest and it didn’t take all that much time to get it done. There is a bit of technical jargon that I had to get past, though. As you add information, you are asked to fill in some information in various blanks. The first one after cutting and pasting your bio into the form is where you are asked about your interests. It says “Enter your own values.” Some might disagree, but I consider myself to have relatively high principles, morals, and values in life, but I didn’t know exactly how to fill that blank in. Since my wife is a Senior Software Programmer, she was kind enough to let me know that “values” is also something that programmers use to convey the need for data on a form. Well there ya have it then! But since most of you don’t have a Senior Software Programmer for a spouse, that might be changed by the time this is read…if anyone reads it! (smile)
I would really encourage everyone in IAAM, even us elderly folks, to participate in the fantastic VenueNet platform. It will truly change our methodology and orientation to communication between members, amongst constituents on various committees, and throughout many “eGroups” that are sure to develop. IAAM has always been a very social organization with networking is a primary membership benefit. VenueNet will, undoubtedly enhance and improve that social networking process, making it so easy to share information. Don’t let the process of getting your personal profile polished and up on VenueNet intimidate you, as it’s easier that you think it will be.
VenueNet is now open to a broad range of IAAM members. Sign up and enjoy this new platform. It has the potential to be the best way to get so many things done for our Association.