I’m not a big fan of live video streaming of meetings. It’s just, well, just not the same as being there.
People pay good money to attend conferences, as more than 600 did for the recent Meetings & Events Australia annual conference in Melbourne in April. Those who didn’t attend could watch some sessions via the web.

And, while they were privy to some of the content, you can’t tell me that they got the same level of immersive enjoyment than they would have had they actually been there.

This most definitely would have been the case at a number of sessions and most certainly the opening to the awards gala dinner. This particular opening, created by the inimitable Peter Jones (Peter Jones Special Events) with some help from Solution Red, was absolutely spot on.

Without giving away too much, a guitarist and singer leapt on stage playing ACDC’s rock classic, Long Way To The Top. They were quickly surrounded by bagpipers and then, at the appropriate time, images of conference delegates appeared on the screens around the room trying their darndest to blow the bagpipes. It was simple, high energy, and an incredibly great start to an awards night (and we all know how awards nights can go!).

Thankfully, my description is pathetic in comparison to actually being there live. And that has to be a good thing.

There were indeed plenty of highlights, none of which can be given justice unless you were actually there.
Another for me was entitled The Power of Business Belief and Brand Connection presented by Simon Hammond. Simon’s slick presentation included musical interludes by two live – yes you read right - live – musicians (Sam Vandenberg and Glenn Reither) who added mood and form to what he was talking about and the lively imagery he projected on the screen. My favourite song they sang was Lily Allen’s The Fear, which Simon was relating to how many of today’s businesses are fearful of saying what they stand for.

“Heroic businesses are possible just like heroic people,” he said.

“[Successful] businesses are driven by a sense of what they stand for and they tell stories about themselves. Are you giving your clients enough for them to emotionally connect with your business?”

Unfortunately his presentation was held concurrently with other sessions which meant that not everybody at the conference got to see him. Pity them.

Another great session, again held concurrently when maybe it should have been held for all delegates, was the totally confusing Generation Game. Scene Change’s Ian Whitworth was joined by half a dozen event industry members of various ages and styles in a game show-style format that really had little take-home meaning. But then again, that’s exactly what it did have.

What it demonstrated to me was that effective communication, particularly in a conference setting, should not be bound by pre-conceived ideas about how a session like this should be run. Had this session operated in the traditionalist method of a more serious Q&A between the facilitator and other participants would I have received more take home value about each generation than I did? Absolutely not.

I commend Ian and his posse for trying something different. This was a one-off and you had to be there to enjoy its ludicrousness.

Serious stuff
Of course there was some serious stuff, and some really boring stuff which I won’t go into. Again, you had to be there.

There was plenty of talk about social media and social network opportunities which for obvious reasons is causing a real stir in the business event segment (much like “making your meeting greener” did 12 months ago).

Yes folks, it appears as if social media is a must do for everybody. If you’re not twittering, blogging, facebooking and doing all of those other things then what are you actually doing? There were a number of sessions dedicated to using social media including one by Stephen Johnson, the regional head of digital innovation at DRAFTFCB.

During his presentation he showed one slide that looked more like a graph depicting how Ricky Ponting scored his runs in his latest double century effort. However, he did have some interesting things to say about those considering entering the wonderful world of social media including:
• Who are you targeting?
• How does your target audience use social media?
• How should you come across?
• What do you want to achieve?
• Are you ready for a long engagement? (because once you start down this path there’s no turning back).

Keynotes at the conference included some wonderful presentations by business futurist Morris Miselowski, Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet, David Smorgon, executive chairman of Inmatrix and president of the Western Bulldogs Football Club, and Andrew McManus, Andrew McManus Presents (although apparently he wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea). Each told their story, adding some humorous anecdotes and key business lessons, leaving this delegate at least wondering why he hasn’t achieved half of what he probably should have during his working life.

Social events were, as usual at a MEA conference, enjoyable, particularly the second night social dinner at the Melbourne Museum.

All in all the conference was another great event for MEA. The only downside is that perhaps there are now too many concurrent sessions. Often there are sessions running simultaneously and you wish you could see both. In some instances you can probably see them via online video-stream, but as I said, it really isn’t quite the same.

The event heads to Brisbane for the first time in 2011. Best of luck to the organising committee topping this year’s program. To get the most benefit out of the live experience can I suggest you be there or... be square.

 

Winners were as follows:
Banqueting & Catering – Rosehill Gardens Event Centre (NSW)
Technical & Creative Production – Corporate Theatre Productions (WA)
Travel Services – Flight Centre Group Travel Victoria (VIC)
Support Services – Adelaide Expo Hire (SA)
Operations Person of the Year – Rebecca Flynn, O2 Speakers (NSW)
Business Development Person of the Year – Leanne Zeid, ID Meetings & Events (NSW)
Special Event Manager of the Year – Liz Williamson, Dept of Education & Training (QLD)
Meetings Manager of the Year – Lesley Woods, SAPMEA (SA)
Y MEA Future Leader of the Year – Michelle Stewart, Gold Coast Convention Bureau (QLD)
Corporate Social Responsibility (6-30 full-time employees) - CPA Australia (QLD)
Corporate Social Responsibility (more than 30 full-time employees) – Adelaide Convention Centre (SA)
Venue with Accommodation – Jupiters Gold Coast (QLD)
Venue without Accommodation – Adelaide Convention Centre (SA)
Specialty Venue – Red Scooter (VIC)
Meetings or Events Management Organisation 8 or more Employees – Event Planners Australia (QLD)
Meetings or Events Management Organisation less than 8 Employees – Will Organise (NSW)
Special Event Organisation – vervecreative (NSW)
Metropolitan Destination Marketing Organisation – Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (VIC)
Regional Destination Marketing Organisation – Business Events Geelong (VIC)
Association or Government Meeting of the Year – WALDRONSMITH Management (VIC) for The 8th World Indigenous People Conference on Education
Corporate Meeting of the Year – Avanti Events (NSW) for The Derni Retail Computers and Communciations Franchisees Conference 2009
Special Event of the Year – Atlantic Group [v] & Solution Red (VIC) – Atlantic on-site launch
Exhibition of the Year – Reed Travel Exhibitions & MCVB (VIC) for AIME
Public Event of the Year – Peter Jones Special Events (VIC) for The AFL Grand Final Parade
Platinum Award – Atlantic Group [v] & Solution RED (VIC)
Meetings or Events Professional of the Year – Leanne Zeid, ID Meetings & Events (NSW)
Outstanding Contribution Award – Leigh Harry, CEO MCEC
And the winner in the 2010 Miles Clarke Business Events Communication Award was presented to Bethany Teulan from Business Events Sydney. Bethany’s winning article Conferences Driving Innovation, Knowledge and Investment, will appear in the June 2010 edition of mice.net. One other entry received Highly Commended status – Olga Junek, Leonie Lockstone and Martin Robertson from Victoria University.


 

Top