Will industry conferences and events die a slow death as technology makes them obsolete? Or are they more relevant than ever in the digital age?

I considered these questions when a colleague, an events co-ordinator, complained about the challenges of organising large business functions. Attendances were falling and event sponsors were harder to find as companies cut costs.

"People expect so much more of presenters these days, TED talks show the benefit of having people tell a story, use anecdotes and speak without 100 dense slides."

Technology is disrupting events. LinkedIn and other social media platforms provide networking opportunities that events used to fulfil. Webinars create options for time-poor managers to catch up on material without leaving their desk. TED talks and other free online content suit those seeking latest ideas and inspiration.

What's your view?

• Do you still attend industry conferences and events?
  
• Are they valuable?
  
• What makes a good event and what makes a bad one?
  
• How could they improve?
  

It is easier to avoid industry conferences and events these days. Nobody has time for costly events that produce low returns, or to be tortured by a procession of poor speakers who kill the audience with PowerPoint slides. Event junkets are a relic in many industries.

However, in many ways, attending industry conferences and events is more important than ever as people are glued to computer screens, iPads and smartphones, and have less face-to-face contact with their industry peers.

Conferences can be particularly useful for younger managers who need to know a real network extends beyond Facebook friends and a LinkedIn page, that their industry lives and breathes, and that they can learn from watching their peers in action.

In fairness, conferences have improved considerably this decade. More have panel discussions to break up presentations and make the format interactive. Opt-in sessions, where delegates choose a topic, allow for tailored content; networking opportunities have improved; and presentation content is being captured more effectively.

Much more can be done. For all the good work, many industry conferences and events are still too one-way, with information mostly flowing from presenters to the audience. Too much of the content is delivered at the event when it could be provided earlier. Audience engagement is invariably too passive, the format too rigid, and networking opportunities too random. Also, the schedule and catering of many events is often stuck in the past.

Here are six suggestions to improve industry conferences and events:

1. Provide opportunities for delegates to co-create the event

It's not easy. Event organisers need to nail down most of the speakers and content/format to attract attendees, well in advance of the event. Even so, organisers can find ways for delegates to co-create part of the event. What would they like discussed? Who would they like as presenters? What format best suits them?

2. Present the bulk of material before the conference starts

It is not as radical as it sounds. Why can't a presenter give their 40-minute talk and slides via webinar or other recorded device before the event? Then present a 20-minute synopsis at the event and allow 20 minutes of higher-quality audience engagement. The presenter could reshape their talk based on webinar feedback and the audience would have much more warning about what is being presented and scope to ask considered questions. It would be more spontaneous and create a real discussion.

3. Create online forums before and after conference material is presented

We have all been to conferences where someone presents for 30 minutes, invites questions, and a few tepid ones are asked and answered to break the silence.

So why not create an online discussion forum around key themes in the talk, presented via webinar before the conference? Get people across the industry talking about an issue before the formal presentation, not in the 10 minutes allotted at the end for questions. That will make for livelier interactive presentations and help with networking opportunities.

4. Get tougher on presentation content and style

Granted, it is not easy policing poor presentations, asking for dress rehearsals, or getting presenters to change their content or delivery when they have agreed to speak for free. But people expect so much more of presenters these days, TED talks show the benefit of having people tell a story, use anecdotes and speak without 100 dense slides.

5. Make conference networking less random

Few things are worse that attending a conference that has limited networking opportunities, or forces them on delegates. You hope to meet a few key people at the event, but don't know if they are attending or may not have an opportunity to speak to them.

Conference organisers should be more overt with networking. With permission, they could publish a list of delegates well before the event and use technology to allow attendees to alert those they hope to meet. That's got to be more productive than delegates hoping to bump into someone in the foyer during an event, or standing around like shy teenagers in the corner of a school disco.

6. Liven up the event format

I'm amazed that many five-star hotels, which should know better, still serve heavy protein-rich, sit-down meals at events. Not enough serve light, interesting finger-food or use buffets and other dining formats that aid networking. The catering seems behind the times for managers who are increasingly health conscious.

The format of many events also seems dated as managers juggle work and conference material. More gaps are needed where attendees can check and reply to emails, make phone calls and complete other work. Who can afford to spend eight hours away from work, listening to back-to-back presentations, or attending event lunches or cocktail functions? Longer gaps in the morning and afternoon, where people can catch up on work, make sense.

This article was sourced directly from Sydney Morning Herald and can be viewed online here

There's no doubt 2015 was the year of Taylor Swift. Building off the success of her 1989 album, Swift's world tour generated over $4 million per show.

At last week's Grammy Awards, the 26-year-old received Album of the Year. While most of the media focused on her acceptance speech, there's more to Swift than her riff with Kanye West and much-discussed love life. Suffice it to say that Swift is an under-30 marketing master, with plenty to teach about marketing to Millennials.

The biggest T-Swift take-away? FOMO.

FOMO

FOMO, otherwise known as "fear of missing out," is a powerful force for Millennials and stems from their intense need to belong and be part of a community.

This is why each 1989 album sold includes personalized photos and messages, and fans also receive a special code they can enter to win a personal meeting with Swift.

FOMO marketing produces social buzz and free publicity as excited fans share their exclusive purchases on social media with friends. This exclusivity is crucially important among the Millennial crowd. For this reason, limited-edition products and special offers are an effective way to invite young consumers to join your community and strengthen their allegiance to your brand.

Experiences

To further capitalize on FOMO, Swift's 1989 World Tour concerts created the ultimate sense of exclusivity and community. With over 38 different guest performers, ranging from Selena Gomez and The Rolling Stones, Swift successfully made every concert unique and gifted fans with a special memory.

Obviously, Swift understands her generation's appreciation for special experiences. In fact, a Harris study revealed 78 percent of Millennials would rather spend money on an experience than a product.

The best part about creating special memories? Sharing them. Fans feel empowered and excited about their special experiences with Swift and spread the word on social media. (Enter more FOMO.)

Marketers need to consider how they create similar, meaningful experiences. Customer appreciation luncheons, movie screenings, game nights, service projects, and family events are all great ideas. Think of creative ways to connect with your own fans.

Emotion

As the power of FOMO demonstrates, community has a strong influence on a consumer's buying decisions. So does emotion.

Last December Swift and her team combed through select fans' social media pages to figure out what each person wanted for Christmas. Presents were then purchased and delivered, wrapped by hand, and adorned with handwritten notes from the pop star herself.

Swift unveiled "Swiftmas" via YouTube, and fan reactions flooded the Internet. Clearly, a mass-produced gift of an autographed CD would not garner nearly the same reaction.

Then, Swift's team took surprise and delight to a whole new level when carefully selected fans were invited in groups of 89 to an "amazing opportunity". These opportunities turned out to be album-listening parties. Fans spent the day with Swift in her own home, listening to her new songs, eating home-baked cookies baked by the pop star, and posing for dozens of selfies with her.

These events provided fans with the ultimate reward of hanging out with Swift, cementing their adoration of both her and her new album.

Swift excels at connecting with her fans on a personal level, and this creates a ripple effect. With 91 percent of the Millennial generation willing to make purchases based on a friend's recommendation, peer marketing can be a very powerful force.

The bottom line: Swift's campaign was hugely successful. 1989 went platinum almost instantly, with 1.3 million copies sold the first week.

Furthermore, Swift is now the highest-earning musician in the world, reportedly earning more than $1 million per day in revenue.

Millennial marketing isn't just about posts and likes and it shouldn't be neglected or overlooked. There's real revenue and opportunity to be discovered when you take the time to engage your youngest fans.

This article was sourced directly from XYZ University and can be viewed online here.

A recent (and very good) experience with paramedics and a hospital visit got me thinking about how fortunate we are to have such a good health system in Australia and New Zealand. I have historically been critical (at least privately) of the deficit model that our public health system generally operates under – focused more on cure than prevention.

However, on reflection there are a multitude of preventative interventions that start from birth. These include things like immunisations, health checks, dental checks, a variety of screening systems for both men and women, diet and exercise, to name a few.

As the home for Association Professionals, it is appropriate for AuSAE to promote the health and wellbeing of leaders in our sector. It goes without saying that people who are physically and mentally well are generally more productive, effective and valuable than those who are not. Yet how much focus do we take on the preventative aspects of our own health and wellbeing?

Do you proactively have an annual check-up, take a regular walk/run/swim/cycle/gym session, relax with a massage etc. Should you start, or at least stop procrastinating? Incredibly, I know people who spend more on, and take better care of, their vehicle than they do of themselves. Are you one of those people?

The same questions are relevant for the organisations we lead. This is why AuSAE has endorsed Enterprise Care’s Association Health Check. It is a great way to assess where your organisation is at and receive objective feedback on any priority areas for improvement.

Another beneficial way to proactively enhance your individual and organisational wellbeing and performance through professional development. The AuSAE annual conference and exhibition ACE 2016 is in Canberra at the end of May. Fantastic presentations and an impressive array of exhibitors have been selected to stimulate your thinking and inspire. I hope to see you there. Good health everyone!

Enterprise Care is delighted to partner with AuSAE to create a tailored suite of AuSAE endorsed Health Checks.

AuSAE endorsed Governance Intelligence® Health Checks are a simple, effective and affordable diagnostic that will help you to better understand, assess and diagnose your governance and leadership challenges. They are simple to use, available online, cost effective and benefit organisations in a range of ways including:

• Help understand priority actions that will lead to optimal organisation performance
• Help pinpoint road blocks to achieving organisational vision and purpose
• Better understand operational strengths and weaknesses;
• Monitor organisation’s effectiveness
• Equip members of an organisation to focus on what’s needed to reach their goals

To help ensure that we create a suite of AuSAE endorsed Governance Intelligence® Health Checks that are just right for you – AuSAE members - we invite you to participate in a brief online survey.

The survey is designed to help us understand the most urgent and important challenges that you face so that you can benefit from the most relevant and helpful information and support in the form of tailored access to the bespoke AuSAE suite of Governance Intelligence® Health Checks.

To complete the survey please click on the following link now

http://survey.websurveycreator.com/s.aspx?s=cbf9b0ee-c247-4943-9948-5c29a49c3c46

Article Sourced directly from Enterprise Care Pty Ltd

Rotorua - bubbling with opportunity

New Zealand’s natural assets play a large part in attracting international conferences - and never more so than in the bid for the 15th SGA Biennial Conference (Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits) in 2019. If the bid, led by Dr Tony Christie of GNS Science, is successful, around 600 international research geologists and geochemists, and minerals industry explorationists will converge on Rotorua for the four-day event.

Christie explains: “Most of the mineral deposit types we are looking at have formed from hot water. You are right in that environment in Rotorua, with its hot springs and geothermal areas. You’re in the modern analogue, you can see the hydrothermal processes in action. It’s a huge drawcard for our target audience. The Holy Grail for a lot of mineral geologists and explorationists is the Champagne Pool at Wai-o-tapu where gold is depositing from the hot water.”

The natural attractions are backed up by Rotorua’s excellent conference infrastructure, Christie notes, including a major venue, the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, and plenty of good, cost-effective accommodation options nearby. “Rotorua also has lots of great activities for partners and other accompanying persons - indigenous Maori culture experiences and tourist activities,” he adds.

Previous experience has also proved the city’s success in hosting events in this sector: “In 2013 we held the International Applied Geochemistry Symposium there, combined with the local annual NZ Geothermal Workshop. That event had more than 560 delegates and worked very well. Combining the SGA with another event to ensure a strong attendance is something we might look at, but it is early days yet.”

Putting local knowledge on the map

The case for international attendance is clear - but what are the local benefits? “These big international conferences are ideal opportunities. Many New Zealand researchers find it hard to get funding to attend these events overseas. Bringing it here opens it up to a wider group of New Zealanders working in this sector,” Christie says. “It’s a huge boost to local research groups - we are isolated here and don't normally get that international interaction, the exchange of new ideas and new technology, so easily unless we travel overseas. You get to talk to people in the flesh, whereas you would usually only read their papers in journals.” He adds: “I had a lot of support from my organisation, GNS Science, in making the bid. If we win this event, they will be able to participate and promote what they do, as well as benefitting from the professional development opportunities for our staff and being able to highlight our research and get it out into the world - it ticks a lot of boxes.”

The event also opens opportunities for inward investment and wider economic benefits, Christie adds: “New Zealand has a huge amount to offer in terms of natural assets and geological sites. Field trips associated with the conference will provide a window into New Zealand, raising its profile within the minerals exploration industry. We try to attract these people to come and spend their money here in exploration and set up their operations. New Zealand really benefits from that.”

Logistical and financial support

Taking on an international conference bid is not without its challenges. Local support has been imperative, Christie says. “Tourism New Zealand have been great. They are part of the reason we're doing this. After seeing the success of the 2013 event they were keen to see us go for another one. SGA was held in Townsville six years ago and it would be fantastic to get it back to the Southern Hemisphere in 2019. It's a pretty major conference.”

Christie undertook a two-stage bid process with Tourism New Zealand’s support - presenting to the SGA committee in August 2015 at their conference in France, then submitting a bid document in February.

“Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme (CAP) paid for my travel to France, and funded the printing and organisation of the bid document. They also gave us lots of resources: photographic images, information, and contacts for venues. It would be pretty difficult without them.”

And will the effort be worth it? Christie hopes to hear whether the bid for SGA 2019 was successful within the next month or two. “It is definitely worth doing. I find it quite an uplifting experience. Being a convenor is a lot of hard work and can be a bit stressful, but in the long run a successful conference provides a wide range of benefits. Now we just wait.”

This article was sourced directly from Tourism New Zealand

ANZCA, the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, last held its Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Auckland in 2005, and local convenor Dr Michal Kluger hopes its 2016 return, 30 April-4 May, will herald one of its best events. The Scotland-born Anaesthesiologist & Pain Physician is expecting to attract 1,500 attendees in total, incorporating anaesthetists, pain specialists, trainees, researchers and healthcare industry professionals. “Registrations are going up - New Zealand meetings tend to be popular, the Australians like going to the offshore events,” he says.

“We’re very proud of New Zealand. You could say it is the little brother/big brother relationship with Australia - it’s not a competition, but we do want it to be the best ANZCA event.”

Auckland on show

“Aucklanders don’t understand what a great venue it is, coming from overseas. It is fantastic,” Kluger says. “The degustation menus, the accommodation that might cost $200 here, you’d pay three times that in Sydney or Melbourne.”

An action-packed social programme plays to the friendly trans-Tasman rivalry, too. A busy itinerary of Auckland highlights includes a food and wine tour of Waiheke Island, driving at Hampton Downs, golf at the Royal Auckland, an Auckland walking tour and even a scheduled harbourside run for those delegates wishing to keep their fitness up. The pick of the events, however, has been a New Zealand vs Australia race on the Waitemata Harbour on America’s Cup boats. “The race has almost sold out! We might have to do another race. But we have activities to cover all interests,” Kluger adds.

“Auckland is a very good conference destination, but we have been constrained by a lack of a world-class convention centre - that of course is coming with the construction of the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Conventions are a big deal. This is an opportunity to promote Auckland in an international forum as well as the content that is delivered. We see an event like this as an opportunity to promote Brand New Zealand: New Zealand anaesthesia, New Zealand research, New Zealand food and wine, New Zealand’s landscape and hospitality.”

Backed by local support

Kluger notes that excellent local support that has been integral to the smooth organisation of the event. “The College, like many other enterprises, is doing more events than it used to, things an external PCO used to do, so we have that knowledge in-house. But we’re really doing it from Australia. The College and our PCO is based in Melbourne and I am the lead convenor based here. We have relied heavily on Tourism New Zealand and the Auckland Convention Bureau, part of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), and we haven't come across any insurmountable barriers or logistical issues.

“Tourism New Zealand and the Auckland Convention Bureau couldn’t have been more helpful. They were proactive too - they suggested things we hadn’t thought of,” he adds. “They were instrumental in coordinating our presentation at last year's ASM in Adelaide, providing financial support, graphics, LCD TVs with images of Auckland and a promotional video recorded up the SkyTower that was a major drawcard. They also funded a Maori welcome at the Adelaide ASM which was helpful in promoting the event. As well as financial support there’s been intellectual support - who to approach for advice and funding. We’re really grateful to them.

“The venues - the Aotea Centre, the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre - have been incredibly responsive, too. Major restaurants are opening that wouldn’t ordinarily. The French Cafe is pretty much booked out throughout the conference. The local support is great.”

Article sourced directly from Tourism New Zealand.

We are pleased to announce that the annual AuSAE Leadership Symposium 2016 will be held on 17 – 18 November 2016 at the SkyCity Auckland Convention Centre, Auckland, NZ.

Under the theme "Stronger by Association" the 2016 AuSAE Leadership Symposium will bring together inspiring ideas from the not-for-profit sector all in the one event.

Attend to gain valuable insights, tools and the motivation to drive your team to achieve organisational goals through improved operational, management and leadership effectiveness. In addition, we are now currently accepting applications to join the 2016 AuSAE Leadership Symposium Review Committee.

This group will contribute ideas and expertise in the areas of program content, social activity and delegate engagement to help make this Symposium the best one yet!

To express interest in joining the AuSAE Leadership Symposium 2016 Review Committee please click here to follow the links and fill in your details.

Review committee positions are voluntary and are a flexible time commitment.

I hope you will consider contributing to the advancement of the association sector by becoming involved in the AuSAE Leadership Symposium 2016 Review Committee.

We look forward to seeing you there!

SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre, Auckland NZ, a valued partner of AuSAE would like to offer an exclusive offer to AuSAE members.

SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre is ideally situated in the heart of the Auckland CBD and is recognised as one of the premier event destinations for both international and local multi-day events, banquets, cocktail parties, day meetings and functions.

Book a conference at SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre and receive:

1. Free pre-dinner trio of canapés for dinners over 100 Delegates: minimum Value: $1,460.00

2. $2,000.00 discount voucher off the total bill for events over $40,000

3. Sponsored AV – Screen, Projector, laptop, 1 x lapel microphone, 1x lecterns with microphone and 1 x remote clicker.

This offer is available on bookings made between 1 Jan -31 Dec 2016 and is subject to availability.

Please contact Tanya Dustin for any further information on +64 9 363 7143.

Dr Michal Kluger couldn’t be accused of hometown bias in his appreciation of Auckland as a conference destination. The Scotland-born Anaesthesiologist & Pain Physician aims to put his adopted city on the map when the ANZCA (Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) returns to Auckland, 30 April-4 May.

“Aucklanders don’t understand what a great venue it is, coming from overseas. It is fantastic,” Kluger says. “Conventions are a big deal. We have to push it. This is an opportunity to promote Auckland in an international forum as well as the content that is delivered. People coming from overseas are not just coming for the weekend, they will stay on. We really want to attract them to come out to New Zealand.”

The event, which rotates between Australia and New Zealand, was last held in Auckland in 2005. As convenor of the ASM, Kluger hopes for around 1,500 attendees in total, incorporating anaesthetists, pain specialists, trainees and researchers. A healthcare industry presence is also expected, thanks to a large trade element. “Registrations are going up - New Zealand meetings tend to be popular, the Australians like going to the offshore events,” he says.

“We’re very proud of New Zealand. You could say it is the little brother/big brother relationship with Australia - it’s not a competition, but we do want it to be the best event. We see an event like this as an opportunity to promote Brand New Zealand: New Zealand anaesthesia, New Zealand research, New Zealand food and wine, New Zealand’s landscape and hospitality.”

The trans-Tasman competition extends to the event’s social programme, too. A busy itinerary of Auckland highlights includes a food and wine tour of Waiheke Island, driving at Hampton Downs, golf at the Royal Auckland, an Auckland walking tour and even a scheduled harbourside run for those delegates wishing to keep their fitness up. The pick of the events so far, however, has been a New Zealand vs Australia race on the Waitemata Harbour on America’s Cup boats. “The race has almost sold out! We might have to do another race,” Kluger says. “But we have activities to cover all interests.”

At the cutting edge of research

National pride aside, an attractive destination draw has wider implications for the education element of the event. “We want as many delegates, as many people engaged, as possible,” Kluger continues. “An increasingly important part of these events is meeting these high-profile international and local speakers in person and talking around the subjects. You get a lot from the scientific discussions, but often the real value of a meeting comes from the networking, the opportunities and discussions that arise when you’re having a coffee or a beer with the other delegates.”

The 2016 ASM will showcase scientific presentations from leaders in the field from North America, Europe and Asia. Kluger notes: “ANZCA is recognised internationally as having one of the most robust multi-centre research structures for anaesthesia in the world. The conference will see the release of one of our major national studies in anaesthesia and pain management and this will be promoted widely. That is a big benefit for our scientific community.

“We are also really pushing the social media exposure at the event, with some of the presentations becoming available on the internet immediately. It will ensure New Zealand, and the meeting, are regarded as trend-setters in anaesthesia and pain-related research.”

Backed by local support

Kluger says excellent local support has been integral to the smooth organisation of the event. “The College, like many other enterprises, is doing more events than it used to, things an external PCO used to do, so we have that knowledge in-house. But we’re really doing it from Australia. The College and our PCO is based in Melbourne and I am the lead convenor based here. We have relied heavily on Tourism New Zealand and the Auckland Convention Bureau, part of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), and we haven't come across any insurmountable barriers or logistical issues.

“Tourism New Zealand and the Auckland Convention Bureau couldn’t have been more helpful. They were proactive too - they suggested things we hadn’t thought of,” he adds. “They were instrumental in coordinating our presentation at last year's ASM in Adelaide, providing financial support, graphics, LCD TVs with images of Auckland and a promotional video recorded up the SkyTower that was a major drawcard. They also funded a Maori welcome at the Adelaide ASM which was helpful in promoting the event. As well as financial support there’s been intellectual support - who to approach for advice and funding. We’re really grateful to them.

“The venues - the Aotea Centre, the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre - have been incredibly responsive, too. Major restaurants are opening that wouldn’t ordinarily. The French Cafe is pretty much booked out throughout the conference. The local support is great.”

For further information about Tourism New Zealand please visit www.businessevents.newzealand.com

The New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA) supports effective programs to ensure passengers and crew are protected from any ill effects of drug and alcohol issues in the aviation industry.

NZALPA is a foundation party to the aviation industry substance abuse recovery programme, HIMS (Human Intervention Motivation Study). The HIMS programme provides active assistance and direction to ensure any member identified with drugs and alcohol dependency issues has treatment and time off whilst in recovery. It is a cooperative body including airlines, the NZ CAA (Civil Aviation Authority), aviation substance abuse specialists and union groups.

All major airline carriers and air traffic control in New Zealand already carry out drugs and alcohol testing programs within their organisations. Testing programs typically include:

• Pre-employment testing
  
• Reasonable cause testing (suspicion)
  
• Post accident/incident testing
  
• Random testing
  

Drugs and alcohol testing already forms part of the system to protect the traveling public from substance abuse issues in aviation, but it is only a fraction of a much larger picture to effectively manage such issues. Whilst reasonable cause testing has shown to be anecdotally effective, there is no evidence to show random testing of pilots or air traffic controllers is effective in protecting public safety.

NZALPA welcomes the Government’s announcement of mandatory drug and alcohol management plans for every operator, and supports greater emphasis on identification and treatment of substance dependency issues within the aviation industry, rather than just drug and alcohol testing alone.

This article was sourced directly from Voxy here.