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We will continue the conversations we have started in previous meetings. Please suggest more topics by completing the form below.

PLANNING MEETINGS AND TRAVEL IN THE GOOGLE AGE

In his book,  “ The World is Flat,  Tom Friedman, Pulitzer Prize Winner and author of  The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization, confirms what most economists have been saying all along - that the global economic playing field is being leveled.  We are seeing a global, Web-enabled playing field that allows for collaboration without regard to geography or distance - or  even language. What he really means is that the world is connected.

 

We already know that we may be talking to Chandra in India when we make our British Airways reservations or that Armando is giving us tech support from an AOL call center in the Philippines when we fail to connect in Colorado. There’s a good chance that Dr. Lin in China will read your next chest x-ray taken at Fairfax Hospital.

When your Toshiba laptop breaks and you call for support, a UPS (an American delivery service like FEDEX and DHL) truck picks it up from your doorstep and takes it - where? Not to Tokyo. Not even to a Toshiba office in the USA. It is taken to a UPS repair facility in Atlanta where UPS employees repair Toshiba laptops.

A 19 year old Stanford student and a 24 year old New Zealander who never met each other previously and throughout most of their work, collaborated online to develop Firefox, an award-winning browser that Forbes magazine says is “better than Microsoft Explorer by leaps and bounds”.

Can small companies in various parts of the world collaborate to compete with established big names in this industry? Can companies in different industries collaborate to produce innovative services? How does this affect our job f planning meetings, travel and incentives?

The world has flattened. Anybody can now compete or collaborate with anybody – no matter where you are in the world. Cheap, ubiquitous communication tools have finally obliterated all barriers to international cooperation or competition. The 'flat world' is a level playing field where  'Goliaths' and 'Davids’ play side by side – not one on top of the other. In this scenario, adaptable small entrepreneurs are empowered. What are the implications to our industry?

Does this mean that a small, independent incentive company located in rural Thailand can compete with a multi-national incentive company in New York? YES! Does it mean that solo publishers of online newsletters, blogs, e-zines  can compete with powerful media conglomerates and powerful big name magazines in this industry? YES! (More about this in another conversation). Does it mean that several small associations can operate a global network as if they are one big association? ABSOLUTELY!

The playing field is leveled. If you are connected, you can have access to any product available on the internet. Relationships can be developed with the click of a mouse. Size does not matter anymore. Access to knowledge bases, products and collaboration tools do. We need to grow horizontally (as in more partnerships)  – not vertically (as in corporate hierarchies).

"In the future globalization is going to be increasingly driven by the individuals who understand the flat world, adapt themselves quickly to the processes and technologies."

We want to talk to people who understand the connected world and are interested in discussing how more horizontal partnerships can be developed across cultures. Perhaps we can start some collaborative projects that will expand our businesses.  

A collateral effect of globalization is peace in the world. There is the McDonald's Theory of Conflict Prevention - two countries that have a McDonald's will never go to war with each other. Why? Not just because they are both part of the supply chain and everybody knows damaging one part of the chain damages the other. It is because communication and partnerships promote understanding and friendships.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? BLOG AND BE HEARD

We're at a media crossroads. People-powered information is surging, from blogs to podcasts to videocasts to open-source browsers with a million user-created plug-ins to open-access academic journals. Information will be free, as never before.

Blogging is a publishing revolution. An abbreviation of "weblog," blogs are web sites that take the form of online journals, frequently updated with running commentary on any number of topics. Blogs have enabled users to easily transform information into a stream of constantly updated, interlinked "microcontent." The "blogger"--typically offers readers links to interesting information alongside his/herer own commentary about the link.  For example, if I were to talk about an unpleasant experience in a hotel in the Caribbean, I could link to other people who have had the same experience. Because of their simplicity and ease of use, blogs are proliferating across the Web, and there are now an estimated 6 million of them.

Blogs democratize the media. They are being used as a new millennium cyber soapbox.  Businesses are using them as a resourceful way to speak to customers and to find out what customers are thinking. Weblogs are having an incredible effect on business, politics, and life (It helped elect the US President and was a force in the withdrawal of a dangerous drug in the market).

It is powerful media because it is connected into what people call the "blogosphere." Bloggers read one another and link to one another, creating a giant spider web of connected sites. The blogs are where you find the answer to "What are people on the Net saying?"

Blogs create buzz. It can affect sales, marketing, donations and campaign coffers. “Marketing managers who do not check blogs are sleeping”, writes a Marketing Power blogger.

Traditional news is based on what editors and publishers think is important. Or what their advertisers think is important. Blogs talk about what the people think is important. A story that the bloggers — i.e., the people — find interesting gets a lot of play, regardless of what editors and publishers think.

Consider this: Most meetings and travel magazines are published once a month. Sure – they have online versions. But those are exactly the same as the published versions. The articles there were written weeks before the publication and had to go through several layers of editing. Once published, there is no opportunity for instant comments. You might send a Letter to the Editor that might or might not get published 2 or 3 months later. They have advertisers and potential advertisers (that’s almost every supplier) about whom they cannot write anything negative about; they have limited space that necessarily limits what they can publish. Furthermore,  they have a short shelf life.

Think about it: Have you ever looked at the Calendar of Events in industry publications? It contains only a fraction of what are actually happening in the meetings and travel world. They only publish events by the Big 3 or 4 – whoever they are. Those are not necessarily the best and only events to spend your dollars in – but for better or for worse, they determine who gets exposure.

Blogs can be written by any organization or individual. They are up to the minute, contain links to related materials and commentary by readers. If you want to share a cutting edge idea, you can be on the web within minutes. If hoteliers want to know what their clients think of their properties, they will find more current, more honest answers here. It is also in the blogosphere forever – or until the blogger takes it down.

We want to create a network of industry bloggers to join the millions already in the blogosphere. In this conversation, we are not just going to talk about what blogs are. Nobody is going to try to impress you with all those geek-speak. We want to start creating our own industry blogosphere. We want you to clearly understand how this can empower all of us – no, not one of us – ALL of us. There is a better way to get and distribute updated, less –biased, more democratic information. Let’s talk about sharing ideas, information, experiences in our own blogosphere.

SPEAK TO ME

There’s a story in a Seattle newspaper about a coffee shop turning off wireless on weekends to have people start talking again. Sales increased dramatically.  People are re-focusing  and simplifying in order to "feel human" again. There are those who would like to have technology permeate all aspects of their lives. Others would like to wear technology like a hat -to wear when needed and remove when one lets the hair down.

While preparing dinner, my husband asks me about my trip. I tell him “I’ll email you.” He whines, “Can’t you talk with me anymore?” Startled, I put down the salad. What I really meant was that I will email him the photos I took with my digital camera, the sounds I recorded in my mp3 recorder, the video I am playing on the Real Player  and the info I downloaded from the internet. Those create a better picture of my trip, of course. But I realized then – that nothing could take the place of simple conversation. He wanted to hear me tell the story in my own voice – cursing the hassle at the airport, laughing at the funny jokes, ooh and aahing at the many wonderful sights…

BALANCE! Let's talk about how not to let technology overwhelm your life.

COUNTRY CONVERSATIONS

Here’s what you told us:

"I want to have more time with people in whose business I am interested".
"I am tired of trying to catch people I want to talk to on the fly. Is
there a way to have either small group or one on one appointments with
people of the same interest?"
"I would attend a conference focusing on international meetings with
sessions for various regions of the world, sub-dividing tracks for profits
vs. non-profits, and then have talks within the tracks on specific
subjects".
"Why would I attend? As the Director of Meetings, I'd like to be prepared
with at least some working knowledge of how to conduct a meeting outside US
borders".
"I would like to see more international collaborations"
"To familiarize myself with - international meeting venues and
opportunities. How to plan a convention in other countries; what are local
resources, government assistance and/or interference potential, how is
business "done"? What is accepted practice?
"I would like to hear about experiences of other US attendees that have
held meetings in various countries".

"Let's be honest. We attend international meetings to see and enjoy the
country. What's wrong with that? Of course, we want to do business as well.
Making new friends is a good start - isn't it?"
"I think informal meetings are better than formal meetings. But in most
cases, we don't know the people enough to arrange informal meetings. "
"Let's face it - most of us do not know most countries or anyone from any
other country other than the good old USA. If you can arrange for me to
talk with someone from other countries in Greece - I'll be there."

Ok – let’s get those folks down to the conference and let’s have a conversation.  We invite participants from all countries - particularly the emerging destinations which are just now targeting the meetings and incentives industry. Click here to register.

CONVERSATIONS OF COURAGE AND INSPIRATION FROM THOSE WHO HAVE SURVIVED CANCER AND OTHER DISEASE BUT MUST CONTINUE TO WORK.

What has this topic got to do with technology, travel, meetings and incentives? I will tell you. Conferences are about people. You will never know who you are meeting at these conferences if you just sit down in a darkened meeting room watching powerpoint presentations. Last year, I was sitting down with a woman and as the lights went out, she dropped a bottle of medication that rolled to my feet. I picked it up and saw that it was the same medication I took a few months back. “Do you have cancer?”, I asked. Tears welled in her eyes “Yes.”

That was the beginning of a close friendship. Myself, a survivor and she, terrified and frightened, got hope form the fact that I did not look like I ever had cancer at all. Since then, this talented woman had worked with me on several projects.

In 2003 I was diagnosed with cancer Stage 1-B, not a big deal, the doctor said – we will be able to get all of it. Surgery was quick, 38 lymph nodes taken – all negative. No radiation or chemotherapy needed. I got on with my Life – plunged into many exciting activities – but always, I was aware of the disease and wondered how many women I was meeting had the same thing.

Then came June 2005. A huge mass was found near my kidney. Malignant. My oncologist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center encouraged me to get a second opinion at Johns Hopkins and Vince Lombardy Institute of Cancer. They were grim. The cancer has metastasized. Questioned my survival and shook my supreme confidence that I would beat the cancer.

The plan was finalized – immediate major surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Side effects were abysmal - nausea, diarrhea, extreme fatigue, bladder problems. I might lose my hair. The worrying caused a bleeding ulcer which added to the suffering. 5 times a week my supportive family alternately drove me to radiation and chemo 57 miles away from our home and cooked dinner for my husband and myself. Bu the time I got back, I was too exhausted to do anything. On Saturdays and Sundays, I am able to work a few hours.

I cancelled all discretionary activities. But I had a meeting in Greece for which I was primarily responsible. Contracts have been signed, penalties specified. Cancellation was no longer an option. Working a few hours each week was not going to do it. I had always been a pretty independent person. I always felt I could do anything. Not this time. It took a lot of courage and chutzpah – but I finally got out a few letters to a few friends “I need all the help I can get. I need you.” I was amazed at the speed the answers came back. “Of course! Tell me what I have to do and I will give it priority”

Since then, I have talked with more women who had written me. They also had cancer and they also needed to work. Can we get together and talk about the challenges and how we can help each other? Absolutely! There is nothing I would like better to do.

We will invite some experts – some of the caring doctors who have helped me through the ordeal are interested in joining us. If you know of anyone else who would like to come, they are all welcome.

Bottomline: We are all human. We have our burdens and our struggles. They become easier if they can be shared. The bonds that result from this are very strong, indeed. In the process, we can help each other with the work we do.

If you are a new patient, survivor, caregiver or know someone who has had this terrible disease – a relative, a loved one, a friend, you are invited to join this conversation.

More Conversation Topics:

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT?

What keeps you awake at night? We would like to get a global perspective of the challenges you and your colleagues are facing. Please take a moment to complete this brief form:

 

 

December 7 - 10, 2011 -- Albuquerque, NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Connected International Meeting Professionals Association (CIMPA)

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