 Change Agents Planners are demanding better education, and industry associations are delivering By RAYNA KATZ
The average person might think that, of all industries, the meeting industry must do education right. After all, if event organizers in this field don’t know what comprises a good educational session, who does? But that average Joe, or Joan, would be wrong. Seismic economic shifts in recent years, new technologies and changing demographics have converged and led meeting planners, suppliers and consultants to the meetings and conventions field to demand much more from professional education than what they’re being offered by the industry’s various associations. “We’ve gotten very good at building the logistics of a meeting, but no one comes back to a conference because it was the best organized,” said Jeff Hurt, director of education and engagement at Velvet Chainsaw Consulting, a meeting industry consulting firm. “It’s like we can build a glass but we’re not focused on what’s in it.” He continued, “Education is one of the main reasons people go to a conference, and industry organizations aren’t evaluating whether learning is occurring. Instead, they’re looking at the ‘smile sheet,’ which tells them whether people are happy they are there. That realization—coupled with tight budgets and increasing time constraints in light of staff reductions—is forcing meeting planners to scrutinize what they’re getting from their industry associations. “People are asking themselves what’s cost effective and where they’ll get the best education,” says Joan Eisenstodt, president of Eisenstodt Associates, a meeting planning and consulting firm. “They’re making tough decisions when the dollars are limited, because the cost of attending conferences is prohibitive.” Fortunately, the organizations have taken notice and are making changes. In fact, sweeping changes have taken place in recent months at one entity, while another made big adjustments to its annual conference last year and a third has gone high-tech. Read More... 
PCMA Convening Leaders May Set Record SAN DIEGO After the meetings industry has navigated a few of the roughest years in its history, PCMA’s Convening Leaders, held Jan. 8-11 in San Diego, is perhaps heralding good things to come, at least if you take into account an attendance level that may set a record for the association. After the meetings industry has navigated a few of the roughest years in its history, PCMA’s Convening Leaders, held Jan. 8-11 in San Diego, is perhaps heralding good things to come, at least if you take into account an attendance level that may set a record for the association. After the meetings industry has navigated a few of the roughest years in its history, PCMA’s Convening Leaders, held Jan. 8-11 in San Diego, is perhaps heralding good things to come, at least if you take into account an attendance level that may set a record for the association. “There are more professionals at this conference than in the history of PCMA,” Sexton emphasized.. Read More... | 
