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Exhibit spaces will feel less like isolated black boxes and more like continuations of the public spaces drawing attendees and exhibitors together.

Helping You Think BY ROB SVEDBERG TVSDESIGN

Information overload and social networking are two megatrends that are converging to make meetings and conventions more important and to change convention centersaswe know them. As the dizzying volume of information grows exponentially online, conventions, trade shows, and meetings will become

essential for filtering, sorting, and making sense of the vast quantities of information available. Meetings will become a primary way to personalize the avalanche of information and generate meaningful experiences and relationships. Venuesthat offer authentic experiencesunique to their location will continue to have a competitive advantage. This

gives smaller markets a way to compete, if they can let attendees experience something new and authentic. Facilities located in activity clusters will excel.Venues and events that contribute to a broader purpose through sustainability, com- munity involvement, and doing good will attract GenY-ers andMillennials,whojudge each personal act byhowit makes the world a better place. Technology will allow attendees to filter information not just by time (scheduled seminars) and location (meeting

rooms/booth locations), but also by solutions, topics, problems, concerns, and opportunities. Instead of just walking the grid of booths, people will use handheld technology to create theirownpathways and link up with others with similar inter-

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