Know what a video wall is? Did you look confused when a colleague asked if you've done a virtual site inspection? 

The business world is becoming ever more reliant on using technology to connect people in place of face-to-face communication. But this does not forecast a bleak future of conventions, it just means meeting planners need to combine the best traditions of convention planning with new tools and techniques.

Sue Tinnish of SEAL Inc., who is a popular facilitator, speaker, teambuilder, and trainer, looks at two technologies that can help ensure meetings are remaining relevant and appealing to 21st century meeting attendees.

Web 2.0 Tools

• Social networking sites are used to facilitate networking and disseminate peer-to-peer knowledge.

• Companies are establishing wikis that feature important links to conference information, links to replay conference speakers, tips on getting more out of the event, conference pictures, and links to conference blogs  Wikis allow all attendees to post information allowing content discussions and networking to begin even prior to the conference.

• Speakers are establishing blogs to create interaction with audiences prior to their appearance at a meeting.

PDAs

• Software can create, send and manage announcements for events, and schedule, exhibit and speaker information can be downloaded to attendees' PDAs

• Replace your conference binder with PDA based-information from providers like Near Space (http://www.nearspace.com/) and VisionTree (http://visiontree.com)

• Some companies can use PDA technology to function as an audience response system.

• Use Vindigo City Guide (vindigo.com) to download information on 60-plus cities to your PDA. With information on restaurants, movies, shopping, ATM locations and more, it's great for meeting attendees as well as anyone planning a meeting in a specific city. http://www.vindigo.com/products/cityguide.jsp

"Technology can add to the appeal and impact of your meeting," Tinnish says. "Use technololgy to extend the experience of your attendees – it's easier than ever to allow meeting attendees to participate before, during, and after a conference or meeting."

And about that video wall. . .it's a dynamic electronic image display system used to educate and entertain. It offers outstanding brightness in high ambient lighting and can produce large images without compromising resolution.

For more great meeting ideas, visit www.conventionplanit.com and mouse over the "For Planners Only" section and go to the "Stellar Tips" link. There is no registration required and you can even enter your own Stellar Tip for a chance to win a valuable prize.

Sue Tinnish publishes a monthly newsletter, "Tips for Innovative Meetings and Events." You are invited to subscribe or find past issues at www.suetinnish.com