With a few notable exceptions, the format of meetings hasn’t changed much in the last umpteen years.
Sure, there’s a heavier emphasis on education now, and I’m guessing there’s more wine and beer consumed than bourbon highballs, and in more moderation. Just a hunch, but I’d venture that the huge American Association of Door-to-Door Vacuum Cleaner Salesmen confab in the 1950s didn’t feature a “heart-smart” break buffet with environmentally friendly drinking water choices and sessions probing the emotional conflicts of “work-life balance.”
Yet, I bet there was a trade show featuring aisles of exhibitors offering swag to a herd of semi-qualified buyers, promotional trade show totes in hand.
Organizations such as MPI are trying to mix up the formula, and as with any leap of faith, there are going to be some initial hits and misses, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, as the saying goes.
Check out our articles to see what leading industry thinkers are pondering for the future of conventions.
