Sunday, September 28, 2008

Realtime Questionnaire Results

For over 20 years MeetingMetrics, and parent company GuideStar, has been involved in the meetings and events industry. Their mission is to "become an essential resource of information about meeting content and meeting communications strategies. (www.meetingmetrics.com)" Recently PCMA and MeetingMetrics announced a new web-based system to give planners realtime results on meeting questionnaires as well as reduce the use of paper during events. 

The system is entirely web based, which does not require individuals to download any information, which makes it simple for attendees to fill out survey's from their personal computers, cell phones or computers provided at the event. The survey would be previously organized by the planner and can be used solely for responses regarding the overall event, break out sessions, the general session, or any other feedback a planner may require. 

The article "New Session Evaluation Tool (www.migegasite)" discusses the benefits of this program and its ability to reduce paper waste at an event. I think that this is a valid marketing tool for the product but instead i think that it makes collection and follow through of a survey more realistic. During a session if attendees are encouraged to use their cell phones or computers provided during the event attendees will be more likely to give their feedback on the spot. Additionally it simplifies the collection or surveys, often once a survey is filled out it is easy to use it as scrap paper or throw it away. Instead this online system manages all of the surveys and allows the planners instant gratification. 

An important feature of this new program is the ability to print reports and transfer them into Word, Excel or PowerPoint easily. This reduces the need for a planner to build their own system or database to analyze results and streamlines attendee responses for easy analysis. 

I think the idea of this type of questionnaire is fantastic however, I feel that often times attendees do not fill out surveys unless they feel very strongly about an experience at an event. I do not think that the process will encourage the average attendee to respond and that planners will have to take that into consideration creating incentives for attendees to respond. Additionally, I think the streamlined process and easy analysis of the system is very important, this allows the planner to understand what is positive and negative about their program instantaneously and may even provide them the opportunity to perfect things as the event continues.  

Sunday, September 21, 2008

LinkedIn

This week at work I was discussing my fears of graduating and the job search. She recommended I check out the website LinkedIn and said "Steph you really won't regret it, everyone is there." At first I was bit hesitant as I always am with new websites and networking tools but after reading mimegasite's article "HSMAI Debuts Event Technology Expo at Annual Tradeshow" I decided to get LinkedIn. The article focused upon HSMAI's annual Affordable Meetings Nation tradeshow and its newest addition to the show, a technology expo. Allen Blue, LinkedIn's co-founder was the keynote speaker at the event and "discussed the benefits of marketing events online via social networking sites..." As of this year the professional networking services has over 24 million registered users across 150 different industries.

The driving idea of the website is to organize a contact list of people in your business circle whom you know or would like to network with. The profile page is essentially a resume detailing your current professional position other work experience, education, honors and awards and interests. Once you have made a profile you can build "connections" with other professional individuals. Not only does the site allow you to build a strong professional network but also includes an area for job searching and "answers". The job search tool is essential, where companies can post positions allowing other users the ability to apply within the network. The "answers" feature is also very interesting; it allows people to post business related questions in hopes to survey a wide variety of professionals. One of the questions just posted is "Id like to know how people in the event industry have used social networking and viral marketing to increase their business..."

I think that this website could certainly hit it off in the event's industry and be used as a portal to connect individuals. I think that the "answers" section is a great idea if people are willing to participate; it is a convenient way to survey a target audience and get feedback immediately. Additionally, one of the best features is that you can see everyone who has been to your page. I appreciate that it is professionally targeted and does not include any of the applications other social site like facebook and myspace use, leaving it uncluttered and user friendly. I would like to continue using the site in order to see how I feel about its ability to connect people with third party individuals.

mimegasite article
http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003852866

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Twitter

After last weeks class I became fascinated with the Twitter service and wanted to learn more about it. Twitter was launched in 2006 and in two years has over 2,200,000 accounts registered. The idea of micro blogging is something we are all familiar with socially as the service is similar to the status updates on facebook or myspace. Twitter, although used socially, is also well positioned to be a successful marketing tool for the tech savvy consumer. For instance, Whole Foods, whose "tweets" I have subscribed to receive, update at least three times a day with different promotions. An earlier posting this week was "Bring your pooch to the Northridge Whole Foods for the Dog Days of Summer," or " Craving some Shellfish? Try this great recipe for Mediterranean Mussels (with a recipe link attached)." I think from a marketing standpoint Twitter can be very useful. Constantly updating promotions, ideas while building customer loyalty. 

I believe that Twitter certainly has a place in the meetings and events industry. This past week, fashion week in Manhattan, twitter was used by several different companies. Vogue for example, updated what runway show was happening and the location hoping to get those linked in to travel from show to show.  I feel like Twitter would work even on a smaller event scale like a trade show.  Exhibitors could update talks, speaker spots, even cocktail receptions  reminding attendees what events are available and making an event paperless. 

I do not see myself using this service for personal updates or to follow the updates of my friends but I am going to continue watching Whole Foods, NASA ad BBC. 

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Google Chrome

For the majority of individuals in the professional meetings and event field a web browser may seem unnecessary to their everyday work. However, the fact of the matter is that a browser is the program used for all of out work on the internet. According to Wikipedia a web browser is “a software application which enables a user to display and a interact with text, images, videos, music and other information typically located on a Web page at a website on the World Wide Web or a local area network.” Google recognized the need for a new browser in order to cooperate with and evolve for new and upcoming technologies.

Google Chrome has been designed to be faster, more user friendly, ability to cooperate with many different web browsers, an “incognito” tab, and many other unique features. The feature of Google Chrome which will most significantly effect professionals in the meeting industry is speed. People are constantly looking to work and correspond more efficiently, in addition Chrome will make it simpler and less confusing for the individual multi-tasking to organize their work.

As far as future application of the browser the industry as a whole is moving in a direction to accept and incorporate technology into every aspect of an event. Chrome will make it more user friendly for individuals to sync different technologies and therefore enhance user capability. I think it will be a slow process for people who love Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari to switch to a new browser. However, because many individuals love their Google search tools, iGoogle, Google Reader, etc. they will be more likely to change due to loyalty.