The Evolving Reality of Technology in Meetings This is an interactive discussion with the CEO of Social Tables on the ways disruptive innovation technology continues to reshape how meeting planners can elevate attendee expectations. Dan Berger is the Founder and CEO of Social Tables, a hospitality software company with 3,000 customers in over 150 countries and over 100 employees. Social Tables’ award-winning products have been used to plan and execute over 500,000 events since 2011. Attendees will learn how the past five years have been pivotal in the role technology plays in meetings and we will look ahead together at what to expect in the future. Learner Outcomes -Reflect on the ways technology has changed meetings and events in the past five years -Discuss what the future holds for meetings and events -Begin to plan for the future by anticipating the coming changes

1. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
The Evolving Reality of Technology in Meetings
September 2016 Education
Dan Berger
Social Tables
September 28, 2016

2. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
1. Reflect on the ways technology has changed the industry.
2. Identify upcoming industry trends.
3. Learn how planners can future-proof their careers (time
permitting).
Learning Objectives

3. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
I am a participant.
I am a planner.
I am a supplier.

5. Over 1.5 billion sq. ft. of event space
Over 1 million events created
Over 150 million attendees impacted
4,300 customers

7. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
I am a participant.
I am a planner.
I am a believer.
I am a supplier.

8. We envision a world where people
meet and achieve great things.

10. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
open_discussion
How has technology
changed meetings and
events since you first started
working in the industry?

11. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
11 ways technology has changed
meetings and events.

12. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Information Symmetry
Planners rely on their networks and online
research to learn about destinations before
speaking to sales reps.
Information Asymmetry
Planners used to rely on hotel sales
professionals for research and information.
Pre-Event: Destination Sourcing

13. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Pre-Event: Event Marketing
Permission Marketing
Marketers deliver anticipated, personal, and
relevant messages to people who actually want
to get them thanks to new advertising
technology.
Traditional Marketing
Marketers used to buy email lists, mail
invitations, and add everyone to their
newsletters.

14. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Pre-Event: Networking
Online
Participants have access to fellow attendees and
technology matches people thanks to
algorithms.
On Site
People let serendipity and networking sessions
do all of the work.

15. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
An Afterthought
There was no real software built for planners or
event goers.
Integrated
Planners think about what objectives they are
trying to achieve and use the technology that fits
best.
Pre-Event: Technology

16. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Online Collaboration
Information is centralized online for efficient
stakeholder communication.
Offline Redundancy
Back-and-forth calls, emails, and faxes to
coordinate events and communicate changes.
Pre-Event: Working Together

17. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
During-Event: Educating Attendees
Participants
Speakers have a dialogue with participants. They
use technology to engage them and apply adult
learning best practices.
Attendees
Presenters spoke at attendees.

18. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
During-Event: Physically Attending
Attending in the Flesh
The only way to attend an event was to
physically be there.
Virtual Attendance
Live-streaming is free and is used to build future
attendance.

19. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
During-Event: Disseminating Information
The Mobile App
Real-time information is distributed digitally
through an app, social, and email.
The Event Guide
Information, including the schedule and attendee
list, was distributed through physical collateral.

20. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Continuous and Regular Feedback
Attendees provide feedback real-time through
social media channels/surveys and planners
react accordingly.
One-time Evaluations
Attendees would complete a survey at the end
of a meeting.
During-Event: Feedback

21. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Post-Event: Event Lifespan
Events were Finite
The life of an event spanned was limited to its
allocated time.
Events are Evergreen
The lifespan of an event extends past its
allocated time. People connect and share online
afterwards.

22. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Post-Event: Event ROI
ROI is Measurable
Events are considered a marketing product.
Their impact can be measured thanks to
software and hardware products.
ROI was an Unknown
Event and meeting spending went into a
marketing black hole.

23. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Post-Event: Sharing Information
Information is Shared
Content is distributed far and wide by speakers.
It is amplified by participants through live
tweeting, live streaming, and social media
posting.
Information was Withheld
Content was held closely by speakers.

24. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
open_discussion
What are technology
trends you’re watching
closely or most interested
in?

25. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Global trends to be mindful of...
1. Software is eating the world.
2. Technology is seamlessly integrating into our lives.
3. Face-to-face is more valuable.
4. Organizations are spending more money on meetings/events.
5. The middle class is growing faster.
6. The hospitality industry is more profitable than ever.

26. Disclaimer:
Thought-provoking
Slides Ahead!

27. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
“Second tier” cities will become
premier destinations.

28. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
The room block will play second fiddle to
economic impact.

29. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
The Annual Meeting will become endangered.

30. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
The hospitality industry will be
more profitable than ever.

31. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
More events, with bigger budgets.

32. The industry processes we
know today will be
obliterated.

33. Coordinating event logistics
will be automated.

34. Event apps will no longer exists.

35. Group business will be booked
mostly online.

36. Content will be curated by
software.

37. Our industry will be embrace
transparency.

38. Everything planners need will
be available on-demand.

39. Serendipity will be less successful
than algorithms.

40. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
We won’t be able to tell the difference
between real and virtual events.

41. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Robots will setup and teardown rooms.

42. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Complex productions will be easier to organize.

43. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
A.I. will make events better for everyone.

44. Technology will be an integrated part
of the convention service team’s
offerings.

45. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Hotels will do mostly group
business.

46. Hotel sales people will
become meeting consultants.

47. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
More event professionals will report to CEOs

48. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
A governing body for the
meetings industry will emerge.

49. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
The “Golden Age of Travel” will continue.

50. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Thank you!
email: dan@socialtables.com
twitter: @danberger
snapchat: danjberger
If you want the slides, give me a business card!

51. Bonus content!

52. 9 Ways to Prepare as a
Planner

53. Become Best
Friends with Data
1. Experiment with measuring NPS.
2. Surprise stakeholders with metrics.
3. Backup your ideas with data.

54. 1. Find inspiration outside of the events world.
2. Lean on your creative partners. Challenge them
and you’ll be surprised.
3. Be deliberate about every design detail.
Creativity
is Key

55. 1. Pick a destination based on the message it sends.
2. Leverage the CVB.
3. Integrate cultural learnings into your destination
event.
Unleash Your Inner
Anthropologist

56. 1. Encourage social interactions throughout the
event.
2. Remember everything is a backdrop for a photo.Pics, Or It
Didn’t Happen

57. 1. Pay it forward.
2. Find mentors and serve as a mentee.
3. Ask for introductions.
Find People You
Trust and Grow
Your Network

58. Be Proactive,
Ask and You
Shall Receive
1. Ask properties to offer you a customized site visit,
specific to your event.
2. Have partners join you on site visits.

59. 1. Invest in your learning.
2. Volunteer your time with an industry organization.
3. Remember that learning happens outside of your
comfort zone.
If You Rest,
You Rust

60. 1. Ask about sustainability programs at the venues
you’re working with.
2. Use it as a selling point, promote your event as a
“Green Event”.
Make Meetings &
Events Green Again

61. 1. Set goals for yourself.
2. Find an accountability partner.Be a Hero, Save the Day
(and Do It Over Again)

62. @danberger | @PhiladelphiaMPI
Thank you!
email: dan@socialtables.com
twitter: @danberger
snapchat: danjberger
If you want the slides, give me a business card!