by Terry Matthews-Lombardo, CMP


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• New Lingo • New Formats • New Confusion?


eeting planners are always challenged to change things up. Out with the old, in with the new. Last year’s cup- cakes are this year’s donuts, err, cronuts. This is espe- cially true for those who plan annual programs that run the risk of repeating formats and sessions from one year to the next.


“We not only run the same meetings each year, but many times we have the same audiences that qualify to attend these programs,” one incentive planner told me recently. “So, I’m constantly challenged to keep things fresh by trying new ideas, sometimes in baby steps, because repeat attendees - especially in the age group I represent - can be re- sistant to change.”


On the flip side, there are plenty of forward-think-


ing groups out there as well as creative, risk- taking planners willing to try just about anything to not only gain attendance but to enhance the learn-


ing experience and maintain audience engagement. Peek at any number of current meeting programs and you’ll find a re- freshing (and sometimes confusing) list of inventive names and formats that planners are trying: inspiration centers, net-walking (comfy shoes required), shirtsleeve sessions, campfire sessions (s’mores, anyone?),


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Inventive Names and Formats:


• Inspiration Centers • Net-Walking • Shirtsleeve Sessions • Campfire Sessions • Flash Assemblies • Mob Meetings • Deep Dives • Speed Networking • Variations on TedTalks


MIDWEST MEETINGS WINTER 2014


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