Shrivel in size, add to value! On the way to paperless meetings

PCMA Convene Magazine and Barbara Palmer, on July’s 2010 issue, introduce another “Innovative Meeting”, “A medical association shrinks its conference content down to the size of an iPod and grows its value”. Presenting the use of iPod as the one and only binder material for the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) 2010 Annual Meeting, we are automatically transferred into a new paperless era in the Conference arena

This example proves a digital revolution in the meetings, opening new possibilities and facilitating event planners’ and attendees’ lives. Technologies more and more integrate into MICE industry what makes very interesting to follow future development. But let’s go back to the AANS meeting itself.

Mr. Marshall said that his major worries did not concern the costs or the technology itself; these are the facts that the organizers can control and test. Most headaches were about the reaction of the attendees to the new technology. We think it was a good idea to inform people about the changes in advance by sending them the newsletters and tutorials for the iPod Touch. That made people more familiar with the device and in combination with all the benefits attendees build a positive opinion about such practice. Most benefits that new technology meeting brings to its users are the possibility to customize the content, ease of networking and a possibility to receive the association related information even after the annual meeting directly to their personal device, not mentioning the fact that delegates’ bags become less heavy for couple of pounds. The main benefits that organizers experience are the automation and facilitation communication process as well as possibility to assess the audience response towards each and every session directly after. It is also advantageous for exhibiting companies, who can use push notifications, banners, product videos and special e-mails. Event organizers know that there still left room for improvements that is why they are already thinking of the possible improvements and additional features. From this example we can see that digital upgraded meetings are very promising and leave space for future development.

Keeping in mind the above, Conference and Meetings Industry is quickly conforming into the new challenges adapting innovative tools for its function.Each delegate, and we are saying that from our own experience, is always so anxious and impatient for his/her “little gift” from the front office of the conference, not to mention what happens when this gift is an iPod! Additionally, the fact that the attendees were able to keep the devices, enables and encourages further commitment and engagement to the conference itself as well as the Association as a whole. It is actually like giving a TV broadcasting only your content! And nowadays, it is all about content… and after event loyalty! Furthermore, concerning the environmental consciousness and public opinion on Greener Business, the reduction of paper use in conferences is more than encouraging regarding not only the source savings but also the money savings from designing and printing all the necessary material.

In conclusion, the use of such a device in “pocket-sizing” the content can be evolved into a powerful marketing and management tool for conference planners, creating and enhancing innovation into their industry!

Photos retrieved from

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Business_People_g201-Business_Man_p20236.html

http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/