Technology vs. Conventions and Meetings
Technology has certainly helped to improve meetings, but does technology also have the ability to hurt face-to-face meetings?
Carolyn Burns Bass’ comment from our “Meeting Attendance Costs on the Rise” discussion brings this issue to light. She said…
“Social media has made great inroads into corporate communications. Blogs, discussion forums, webinars, etc., are great tools for ongoing projects, planning, and performance boosters. Still, as great as these tools can be, they can’t replace the in-the-skin experience of an on-site meeting, convention, or incentive trip.”
…What do you think? With all of the rising costs facing meetings we’ve discussed, are online meetings such as webinars going to increase, or replace face-to-face meetings? Through podcasts, webinar participants can even simultaneously watch the same lectures…without any travel costs.
The added bonus for this? The podcast can be uploaded onto iTunes, for example, and used for future reference. Not only are similar web-based alternatives more cost efficient, but they eliminate the hassle of travel and conserve the environment.
How can online meetings hurt a company? What do you think the future holds for the industry?
Tags: attendee interaction, meeting attendance, meeting industry
June 12th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Technology is a resource that has come to us at the right time, saving us time, money and the evironment. Nothing can replace the experience of face to face meetings. However, with more options available to us, we may determine that certain meetings may be better served as a Webinar.
We have many interactive features now at our disposal to directly advance attendance, as well as the duration and quality of a meeting. Let’s use them wisely!