Three Events Tech Trends from Corbin Ball, CSP, CMP, President Corbin Ball Associates.
Trend #1.
Meeting planning and venue management software is becoming web-based.
In the last few years, the software has become very easy to use ... accessible 24/7andwhere standard interface cross platform pc/mac limited IT support needed works better with other programs (housing works with registration, etc. development tools are much cheaper and faster total cost of ownership (there is a freeconomics model out there now...)
This is the real driver, the real change in the next few years. There are 41 ways that planners/venues can use that are web-based.
Ootoweb has been arround for a long time and they have an application for attendee registration...Corbin tracks about 200 of these models that typically charges per attendee
Ootoweb charges the meeting planner $45/month and they have mobile applications as well. You can send out notes to your group, you can see who has checked into the hotel and it will serve as the planner notebook...conference binder at your fingertips.
bit.ly/corbinball -- check out Corbin's mobile website...took him a couple of hours to put together himself.
Social Media -- heart of social media is you. The network revolves around you as you control the information.
Social Medis is like word of mouth on steroids.
Wikis colloboratively written websites, great for sharing information.
Email is becoming obsolute with the spam and amount of work it takes to keep items sorted, filtered and organized. Shareflow is an example of using wiki to manage as is docs.google.com--provides work processing, spreadsheets and presentations (wouldn't recommend the presentation piece). He loves the spreadsheets because it is completely web-based and he uses it for project management.
Your branding is not what you say it is, it is what the web says it is. For example...look at yelp for reviews. People will be reviewing you and posting on the web. Corbin had another slide about a web based company that reviews meetings and hotels. I couldn't read the url so will see if I can get and post later.
Market to people where they are, not where you are
Trend #2
More Mobile wireless products for the meetings industry.
The major change that started this trend was the smart phone specifically the i-phone these phones have high broadband internets, lots of application and rich browser capabilities. The concept for the future of meeting planners is to go green entirely and put everything about the meeting in an application that can be downloaded to a smart phone...very interactive and no paper. BCEC has embraced this technology and currently has an application...mybcec
Corbin also showed a few videos on mobile wireless products...a really cool one is google goggles...I am sure if you do a search, you can find this one yourself.
QR Codes - Quick Response -- should be codes in Advertising, on your business card. By using bar code scanner and camera technology on your smart phone, you can scan a business card with a QR. From this scan, you can add the person to your contact list, send them an e-mail etc. QR codes can also be used in creating an sms message or url and drive people to a website from a print ad. QR codes are easy to generate. Again this was a video, you may be able to search and find it on youtube under QR Codes. QR Codes are free to generate.
Trend #3
Virtual meetings will not replace face to face meetings.
In today's environment, virtual meetings will not replace "conferences" as the face to face is much too important. However, virtual meetings will continue to play a role in meetings where it makes sense to use existing technology. Skype's newer technology is allowing panel discussions now. There as some "conference call" web-based application that call allow participants to see what is on everyone's laptop screen...dimdim is one such company.
Wow...information overload on virtual meetings...you will need to see the slides and videos to get a true sense of the technology now available. I do wonder about the cost of these HD applications and something called teleportation...is it really cheaper to put together these calls or just to fly to the destination. Awww...the cost question was just asked. Teleportation set up is $30K and the Cisco and Teleport systems cost around 100K but Corbin believes the cost will be driven down quickly.
Your social media phone is ringing...are you answering? With twitter, facebook and other social media, you have an opportunity to eavesdrop on your customers. But you must be prepared to handle this opportunity...another staff member may be required to keep track of information coming in and getting something back out so your clients know you are listening and that you care.
Corbin has shared a lot of information. If you have the opportunity to download his presentation, you should take a look at the imbedded videos.
Here are the course notes link: www.corbinball.com/assets/trends-iccc.pdf.
Enjoy!