Meeting Support Institute

1 hour or 90 min presentation

Meeting Support Institute founder, Maarten Vanneste, presents the basic meeting content and meeting support model. In one dimension, meetings are concerned with networking, learning and motivation, in the second dimension these outcomes may be influenced before, during and after the meeting, and in the third dimension technical, technological and creative tools may be applied to the task of improving meeting ROI. Download the Matrix

The meeting planning profession has traditionally had its main focus on hospitality and logistics rather than the content or message of the meeting. Maarten Vanneste raises the question whether it is appropriate to develop the meeting planning profession to also embrace the planning of meeting content, how the meeting format is adapted to the message and the networking and motivation needs of the meeting. Meeting content and meeting logistics planning are two very different areas of expertise, and Vanneste suggests that we might introduce a new profession called a meeting architect, outlining the many parallels between the architect designing a house and the design of a meeting.

OUTCOME

A learning lab combines theoretical presentation with practical demonstration. In one room, participants get a central presentation on a stage followed by a table top demonstration moment.

The presentation introduces the basic Meeting Content concept and methodology, plus a 30 second or 1 minute presentation about each table top tool or service totaling in around 30 minutes. The audience sits at rounds in a central space and the table top demonstration uses tables against the wall around the audience. As the central presentation takes place the audience is shown where the table top for a certain tool is positioned. After this short series of introductions, the demonstration moment can start. Each participant is part of a group that goes to a table: Every presentation gets 2 to 4 minutes depending on the number of tables. Every group gets to see all tools (about 30 minutes) and than goes back to their table. At the table the final exercise is to quantify each product using the meeting content matrix. With a voting system to assemble all the results in a final concluding moment.

A TABLE TOP

Each table has one meeting support tool that is demonstrated. This product must be of influence on learning, networking and/or motivation at meetings. The person that mans this table is asked to give short, factual and educational information; selling is not allowed.

A brochure and name cards are allowed. All demonstrators have to register for the event / conference where the learning lab takes place.

OUTCOME

Example of a learning lab in Davos

This seminar will provide experienced planners with an interactive exploration of the field of Meeting Support – how to increase ROI by improving education, networking, and motivation.

The seminar is a case on its own.

Networking and learning starts before the conference in an on-line community. It is a part of the experience, and also a way to improve the content by collecting input from the participants up-front.

All sessions will make use of interactive tools. To achieve the best possible active learning, we will have a voting session, a collaboration system and a microphone for the audience. We aim at 50% (or less) passive learning by presentation and 50% (or more) active learning by discussion, working, reading, writing, collaboration etc.

The day will start with an introduction to meeting support.

As an already advanced meeting planner, you should be looking into the content of meetings; it is one of the largest steppingstones in your career. As your level of expertise in learning, networking and motivation at meetings increases, so will the level of your influence on meeting design and content. A little science will help you understand the processes involved; How does the brain work? What roles do hormones and neurology play? What insights from the sciences of psychology, sociology and education can we apply to our meetings?

A wide variety of sessions will be on the programme. Speakers, academics and members from the Meeting Support Institute’s database will present and demonstrate to you the newest technologies in the meeting’s industry, ways to drive the content at meetings, tips to control the networking at your event and many more.

You will learn how to:

A more theoretical presentation than the former (Meeting Technology). This conference is based Maarten Vanneste's book. Everyone attending, will receive the book at the end of the day.

Learner outcome

View and use state-of-the-art technology from leading IT suppliers who specialise in event management software - ranging from database management to creative meeting support. 

On table tops throughout the rooms, they will be given brief demonstrations of each product.