Live meetings or online meetings?
For those who do not feel that live meetings will net the intended results, the technology certainly exists today to create online meetings instead. And many organizations have adopted a culture of online meetings that wasn’t even possible just a few years ago. But the decision for online meetings has been driven in part by reducing the overall cost of live meetings. And that may not be the best way to justify the technology.
Our road warrior Mark Peacock recently explored this question from a business traveler’s perspective. In Why Video Conferencing or Telepresence Cannot Replace Business Travel, Mark explains why business travelers are the ones who know when to deliver messages face-to-face or when it may be more appropriate to hold conversations by phone or video conferencing.
In a related piece, Live Meetings or Online Meetings, I approached the same question from an event planning perspective. It seems that we need to go back to the basics to determine which format makes the most sense on a program by program basis. That decision should be based on how well each may contribute to organizational goals and generatie revenue for the bottom line, not just cost savings by reducing a line item operating expense (even if it is a costly annual conference).
Perhaps increased attendance at the industry’s international trade shows for organizing meetings may be a factor in predicting a sign of things to come. IMEX 2011 in Frankfurt (this month) is expected to set record attendance levels, and the creation of two new international meetings and travel industry shows in the U.S. this year (IMEX America and AIBTM) prove that organizations will increase their interest in meeting face-to-face around the globe.
Other business travel views that we’d like to highlight for you include:
- Travelers’ wish list at the best hotels
- Planning successful golf meetings & events
- Health care kits for international travel
- Denver: business travel profile
- Business travel requires new breed of international travel agents
If you are interested in being a guest contributor about a business travel or events topic, contact me. We share views and insights that will help change the way people perceive business travel and the hospitality industry in the U.S. and internationally.
You will also hear more from us soon about how you may be a part of EventVenuesDirectory.com (features event venues and services in hospitality), and EventJobsBoard.com (features event jobs in hospitality, events and travel). Feel free to share our newsletter and resources with others, and please check back because we’re always making adjustments. Thank you for your support and business!
Cheers,
Rob Hard
Publisher & Editor
BusinessTravelDestinations.com
+00 1 312 663 4800
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