Category Archives: Virtual Access Pass

WEC AfterGlow

04 Wednesday Aug 2010

Posted by in Meeting Professionals, MPI Chapters, Social Media, Twitter, Virtual Access Pass, WEC, World Education Congress

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MPI Sand Sculpture - just outside the Vancouver Convention Center

I survived!

Finally back in the office after four days in the beautiful city of Vancouver for MPI’s World Education Congress.   I am happy and sad at the same time.  Happy to be home, and sleeping in my own bed again, but sad to leave behind my new & old friends for what may be another year before I see them all again!

It’s my goal over the next week, to provide some useful feedback from the event, mainly my thoughts on the sessions and events I attended.

If you are looking for Guru updates, my thoughts on this program can be found here: Guru Series.  Share your thoughts!

Social Media Gurus - WEC10

There has been lots of focus on the general sessions, and YES, the general sessions this year were fantastic!  I was especially taken by John Furlong, CEO for the Vancouver Organizing Committee, 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games during the general session on Sunday.   The session was broadcast live this year, but you can watch the archived video here: My only issue with the video is that I can’t fast forward/rewind – but not sure if it’s just me?

Before I share my feedback on the knowledge sessions - three in particular I plan to focus on – I want to share the fun.

The WEC Tradeshow -  I had to get my fun video in while I still had the chance!  This year, the guys at OmniPress who also maintain the Engage365 online community, were giving away free t-shirts to those of us brave enough to participate in a 30 second or less video.  How could I pass this up?

WEC – It’s not all work and no play!

Below are some of the functions I attended, friends I made and food I ate!  More serious updates to be posted later! Enjoy.   (Side note, I’m not happy about centering all the photos in one straight line, but I couldn’t figure out how to make them look nice)

There was always plenty of good food (Dessert tray at WEC TradeShow)

And cold beverages (Starwood Event)

Party with friends at the Hyatt Culinary Competition (L-R) Elizabeth, Me, April

I met the Voice of Meetings and Events - Glenn Thayer! (L-R) Alisa, Me, Glenn & Char

Closing reception - I'm pretty sure the owner didn't think this was a good idea!

Posing with the sexy construction workers on Granville Street, WEC Closing Reception (Char and I on the right)

MeetDifferent – VAP Day 3

25 Thursday Feb 2010

Posted by in Event Planning, Meeting Professionals, Social Media, Twitter, Virtual Access Pass

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Day 3 – February 23, 2010

For those of us participating via MPI’s Virtual Access Pass (VAP) on Tuesday morning – I believe we were let down.  To start, the room had a relatively poor wireless connection – I noticed several comments on Twitter about leaving the room to be able to send/receive tweets.  On top of that, the VAP audience’s access to the live video feed was delayed – it was up and then it was down. Once it was back up, the consensus was that we didn’t really miss much. Marty Neumeier’s presentation was probably the least stimulating of all of the presentations I watched over the past three days.

Complaints focused on the lack of engagement with the live and virtual audiences. Mr. Neumeier spent most of his time looking at the computer as he clicked through the power point presentation (unseen by the virtual audience).  It wasn’t until the end of his presentation, when he sat down with Glenn Thayer, did he become much more engaged.  With all due respect, I think Mr. Neumeier is a really smart guy.  He had so much information to share – but I got lost along the way with the delivery.

Day three’s experience was again not as fulfilling as day one. I was stuck in the office and could only catch pieces here and there as I went about my day. I will be taking the time to listen and watch the recorded sessions, but probably not until the weekend when I can finally take a breather!

My funny twitter conversation that day?

@vlaclair I think there is a lesson learned here somewhere :)
@MichaelMcCurry: Attend in person! :)

If there is a next time for MeetDifferent – Next time I’m attending in person!

WHAT…? Is it possible there will be no MeetDifferent in 2011? The rumor mill has begun to churn. MPI is requesting that anyone who participated in MD10 to please provide feedback. They introduced many, many changes and they need to know what we think before they can activate the evolution of MeetDifferent 2011. A formal survey will be sent out soon. As you know, it is needs of MPI Members that dictate the evolution of delivering world-class content efficiently. We will most likely see a decision in the next 30 days or so.

Keep your eyes peeled and return a completed survey when you receive one!  Also you can visit the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) blog ENGAGE to provide feedback.  Check it out here: http://www.mpiweb.org/Community/Blogs/Engage/Post/10-02-22/Virtual_Access_Feedback_Welcome.aspx

I just want to give MPI a big round of virtual applause for all the hard work they put into making the Virtual Access Pass a success. A hybrid event such as this doesn’t come without some technical difficulties, but I feel that they did a stand up job.  Although I was participating virtually, I felt engaged – both while watching the live video steam and chatting with others in the Twitterverse.  I hope to see MPI provide more events and such as this – its a huge Member benefit.  It’s a tough time economically.  This can hurt planners in particular – our budgets are tightly controlled.   The Virtual Access Pass allowed me to participate and be a part of the conversation.   Hats off to you MPI – Thank You.

Now how about getting access to the Iron Chef Competition lunch…  :)

MeetDifferent – VAP Day 2

23 Tuesday Feb 2010

Posted by in Event Planning, Meeting Professionals, Twitter, Virtual Access Pass, Webinar

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Day 2 – Monday, February 22

Accessing live video content for MPI’s MeetDifferent on day two was a little more difficult for me – largely due in part to the fact that I had to go to work!  No more sitting comfortably on the couch!  There were video technical issues – but they seemed mainly caused by the meeting room’s inability to maintain a healthy wireless signal. Kudos to MPI’s technical team – who have been on top of all technical issues as they occur.  They are watching the Twitter stream closely – and react instantaneously to the virtual audiences issues.  MPI monitors the virtual audience closely – we are not ignored – concerns are addressed upon receipt.  It’s a great member care response – but it’s not just in response to member concerns – ALL who are participating are taken care of!

So what did I watch on day two of MeetDifferent?

Here’s a little recap.

General Session

A big kudos to the MPI Foundation that raised over $50k at Rendezvous.  The Foundation is such a vital part of MPI – many of its members would not be able to be members or partake in educational events without it’s help.  The money raised goes back to the membership for education, grants, CSR, scholarships, etc.  It’s wonderful. The  Foundation has reached 75% of its goal!  Want to know how you can help?  Visit: http://www.mpiweb.org/Foundation/About.aspx

The General Session speaker Monica Harrington was AWESOME! It was a very engaging and interactive session – with questions being taken from the virtual audience via Twitter.  It was a compelling way to run a general session and to kick off the morning in Cancun.  I plan to watch the session again to make sure I didn’t miss anything!  Thank you MPI for providing access to recorded video content that I can access later!  Again Glenn Thayer was the engaging & interactive MC – and a perfect choice for MeetDifferent.

Some quotes from Monica Harrington’s presentation, that I particularly enjoyed! (Disclaimer, quotes were taken from Twitter, I apologize if they are not perfect/exact quotes)

Failure leads to success. We don’t talk about failure enough, how it feels what we can learn from it

How can meeting planners be more innovative? Think – how can I advance the business.That’s what CEO’s care about. Work through your Marketing Manager.

Be open to failure and talk about what went wrong and lessons learned

When you’re doing something innovative, some people may think you’re crazy.

The second live video event I “attending” was Lead Different with Linda Swindling, self proclaimed “recovering” lawyer!  Linda discussed helping others by becoming a mentor.

Particularly great quotes…

Truly successful ppl love help others, are open and will make the time to mentor you.

A coach & mentor should serve as a mirror & hold you accountable.

I don’t surround myself with troublemakers. I want problem-solvers.

Failure is to be embraced

Her presentation made me think…who would I consider to be a mentor?  I have more than one – no doubt many of you do.  I have several MPI mentors – both at a Chapter and International level.  I have found that many of my mentors are exactly as Linda described mentors to be – open, willing to help, and to push you to think – to move beyond your comfort zone.  Do more, be more – don’t just want more.  I can say that I am so happy to have found (in some cases fallen into) this industry – it is filled with people who want to share their ideas with others.

You can follow Linda Swindling on Twitter @LindaSwindling

PS:  Check out this graphic capture of MeetDifferent.  So cool!
http://www.imagethink.net/meetdifferent_2010/meetdifferent_2010.html

Stay tuned for Day 3…