Meeting Support Institute

"Meeting Architecture by Maarten Vanneste is probably the most significant book ever written about the meetings and events industry and history could prove it to be the turning point for the profession of planning meetings and events." Read Book review from Elling Hamso
Dr. Elling Hamso, Managing Partner, European Event ROI Institute




Read what Joe Goldblatt, Jack Phillips, Mary Boone, Rob Davidson, Martin Lewis and Eric Mottard say about the book !

"Maarten Vanneste has identified a new field of study that may revolutionize the meetings industry and lift it to a higher level of performance. We need more thought leaders such as Maarten Vanneste to insure that every meeting becomes the event that it is destined to be." Read Book review from Joe Goldblatt
Dr. Joe Goldblatt, Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management in the Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.


May 19^th 2008 

It is a fantastic eye-opener, thanks for this contribution to the industry, which really needed this type of "manifesto". It is truly surprising to see such a big industry, so professional in some respects... being so blind when it comes to its own purpose! As you say, we still only know part of what we should know in terms of meeting architecture: techniques, skills, formats to achieve the goals of our meetings. But your book is a fantastic step in this direction. Thanks.
Eric Mottard, Owner Grupo eventoplus, Barcelona, Spain.

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From the book cover:

“For the Meeting and Events industry to continue to survive and thrive as we know it today, it must make radical changes. Meeting Professionals and Event Organizers must examine the complete design of the meeting, not only from the perspective of the experience, but the perspective of content and the value the process is bringing to all stakeholders. In this new book, Maarten makes the case for these radical changes and shows what isnecessary for this new approach to become an integral part of the Meetings and Eventsindustry. Written in an easy to follow style, this new book should be a must reading for any Meeting and Event Professional.” 
Jack Phillips, Chairman of ROI Institute and author of Return on Investments in Meeting and Events. Birmingham, AL, US.  

“Vanneste has developed a compelling case for the ways in which meeting professionals can command the attention and respect they deserve. By focusing on the content side of meetings, this industry will experience explosive growth and meeting professionals will receive that long-awaited ‘seat at the table’.” 
Mary Boone, Meeting Designer and author, Managing Interactively (McGraw-Hill); Leadership and the Computer (Prima) and co-author of The Information Edge (Dow Jones). Essex, CT, US.   

“Maarten has certainly produced a book that is rich in new ideas and practical advice for people already working in - or preparing to work in - the meetings industry. I found it extremely thought-provoking and stimulating to read.” 
Rob Davidson MA, Senior Lecturer in Business Travel and Tourism, University of Westminster, London, UK.   

“Today’s delegates demand information delivered faster and in more interesting and challenging ways. The education world worked out long ago that they had to change the way they engage with students - it’s time for the conference industry to follow suit! Maarten Vanneste is one of the pioneers in this . eld - his work deserves an audience.” 
Martin Lewis, Managing Editor, Cat Publications, Sussex, UK.
 
This book takes a critical look at how large meetings and conferences are (dis)organised on the content side; how big budgets are spent by ‘temps’ who organise meetings only once or twice a year. Here we find  the structured approach to the Educational, Networking and Motivational objectives of meetings – the real business of meetings and where Return on Investment matters. Maarten Vanneste, CMM has run his own meeting support company for 25 years and has developed a model called Meeting Architecture, a paradigm shift for all involved in the value side of large meetings. Meeting Architecture can be applied by meetingowners, but should be taught to students, ultimately as a Master’s degree. Discover the future of meetings; yours will never be the same again.