Article: 30 Conference Presentation Tools To Help Speakers Wow Attendees

30 Conference Presentation Tools To Help Speakers Wow Attendees
Posted by David Epstein
May 6, 2015 3:22:00 PM

Two of the most memorable events that I have recently attended were Inbound 2014 and Social Media Marketing World 2015. What made them so memorable?

Sure, they had world class speakers, Inbound featured Dharmesh Shah and Rand Fishkin while Social Media Marketing World featured Guy Kawasaki, and Michael Stelzner. They were both set in fantastic cities-Boston and San Diego and both events had world class networking activities.

Generally, making friends is a lot easier if you’re listening to Janelle Monae (Inbound) or playing marketing bingo on a historic aircraft carrier (SMMW), but really what made both events so memorable was the quality of the conference presentations.

Here’s the thing: neither the venue, nor the celebrity cache of your speakers matters if your attendees feel like they aren’t getting value from attending your event. If you promise them world class talks that will help them improve their business, then you better deliver.

To deliver value to your attendees, each speaker will need a killer presentation and to help all of you event organizers out there, we’ve put together a list of fantastic conference presentation tools worth sharing with your speakers.

PRESENTATION TOOLS TO

MAXIMIZE YOUR WOW FACTOR

The Value of Customer Service

Customer service is one of the pillars that hold any service company steady.  I recently had two contrasting experiences in customer service that further validated my opinion on this, and it made an impact enough that I wanted to share my story.

Let's begin with the negative experience, as that occurred first in reality.  I was having some trouble with a car that I just purchased, and had to return for service multiple times.  The issue was happening because of a mistake on the dealerships part--though minor, the problem resulted in me making several trips to a location that was an inconvenient distance away.  I called the manufacturer directly to see if there were any alternatives to rectifying the situation, as I was not hearing back from the car dealership.

After navigating through the phone system, I was directed to a customer service representative who initially appeared friendly, but immediately deflected ownership of the issue to the car dealer.  The agent stated that "unfortunately" there was nothing he could do, and that the issue was not something he could do anything about.

One thing I have learned after years working directly with customers and maintaining quality guidelines is that language is the most important part of a customer service conversation.  On a phone call or in an email message, words are all you have.  It is vital to maintain a positive attitude and choose language that reflects that.  Nine times out of 10, even the most irate customer is calmed when he or she realizes that the person on the other line truly wants to help.

Imagine the impact of words like the ones below if you were calling a company for help.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do anything."
"You're going to have to call someone else."
"I don't know."
Does that language make you feel like the person you are speaking with is on your team?

The issue was that the customer service representative I dealt with had no interest in helping.  He did not want to go above and beyond to assist, but rather just wanted the call to end so he could go about his day. While perhaps that is a good way to save yourself the trouble of doing any more work than you have to, that attitude damages the company image.  When I receive bad service, I adjust my expectations and make the choice for my next purchase to go with a company that has provided better service.  Of course, the quality of the product or service is taken into account as well.  In extreme circumstances, I will not return to a brand.

On the contrary, just after receiving some bad service, I then had to make a second call where I received exceptional service from another company.  This was an even more minor issue than that of my car--I was simply calling to follow up on something I hadn't received in the mail.  The gentleman I spoke with on the phone this time had a positive, upbeat tone and immediately stated that he was going to assist me as best he could.  He apologized that I hadn't received my item, and then researched the issue for me to find out what had happened.  At the end of my call, he even offered to send me a t-shirt just because I had an issue.  While that was going above and beyond, it was the language and his attitude that made me feel valued as a customer to know that my satisfaction is important to the company.  And just before hanging up, he reminded me to call back again if I have any further issues.  Those kind of statements remind a customer that their issues are not unwanted, but that the company aims to please.

Take a look at some alternatives to the phrases I provided earlier.
"I don't know off the top of my head, but let me find out."
"I am going to get you to the right department who will figure this out."
"While I don't have the ability to change the policy, here is what I can do."
These words don't change the situation, but rather the delivery of the information.  That is what customer service is about.  It isn't a trick, but rather a willingness to help.

It is a much more effective path to provide great service initially than to try and repair the effects of poor service.  I believe in treating all customers the same--no matter how large an event is, every customer should be a satisfied one.  We pride ourselves on providing quality service in our product and in our office, and our goal is to have every customer happy with what Christie's offers.

-Emily

Article: Best Event Talks: 6 Predictions About Event Technology by Dan Berger

Best Event Talks: 6 Predictions About Event Technology by Dan Berger [VIDEO]

Posted by Endless Entertainment
By Glenn Santos - April 26, 2015

It’s amazing how the events industry has embraced new technology so wholeheartedly. And because it’s giving it such a big welcome bear hug, we saw it fit to share with you how these innovations are changing the events business.

In this week’s Best Event Talks, we have Dan Berger, CEO of Social Tables. Social Tables is an event planning platform that does everything from seating arrangements to site tours. Berger himself has been in the events industry for more than 4 years, using technology to make the lives of event planners easier.

In the talk, Berger shares 6 predictions of how event technology will change the industry. He envisions that events scheduling will be fully automated, removing the burden of finding a good time and place that works for everyone. Now, wouldn’t that be a weight lifted off our backs?
He also says that custom event apps will die off. I don’t know about you, but it’s quite a pain asking participants to download a one-off app just to learn when the buffet starts. I already tech support for my mom, I don’t want to do it at work, too.

Aside from the predictions, one of the key points that stuck with me is how you should assess the technology you’re going to use. Berger explained that you should ask yourself these four things before diving into new tech:

Can you use it on the devices you use the most: tablet, smartphone, laptop?
Is it available anywhere? Can it be offline as well as accessible via mobile data?
Does it work with the other tech you use, like calendar apps and social media apps?
Does it deliver a similar experience wherever you use it? If I switch from mobile to web, will the interface be intuitive or confusing?

Want to learn about the other event technology predictions he made? Jump right into the video here.

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Article: Orlando’s Unprecedented Growth Reaches New Heights

Orlando’s Unprecedented Growth Reaches New Heights
by Featured Venues & Destinations April 22, 2015

If you haven't been to Orlando lately, you're in for some truly amazing surprises! Once again reaching record-breaking numbers as the country’s most visited destination, Orlando continues to evolve itself to provide fresh excitement to “wow” its guests. There are exciting new changes and experiences everywhere you look, from the convention district to the attractions area.

Orlando reaches new heights with the opening of the largest observation wheel on the East coast! The 400-foot Orlando Eye at the new I-Drive 360 entertainment complex will tower above the convention district providing incredible views of Central Florida and a great new way to network and entertain clients. This exciting new retail, dining and entertainment complex will offer loads of new restaurants, pulsating live entertainment, and of course shopping. In addition, the complex will include two new attractions - Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Aquarium - providing even more one-of-a-kind private event experiences such as an A-list cocktail party with the stars! And just steps away, the top-rated Orange County Convention Center continues to evolve with new enhancements from innovative technology and meeting rooms to a beautiful new outdoor terrace to soak up the Florida sun.

Orlando restaurant and performing arts scene has also grown up and is starting to attract national attention with the opening of the beautiful Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center in downtown. Wine Enthusiast magazine recently named Orlando one of the nation’s top wine travel destinations, and The New York Times called out the city’s growing foodie scene, listing it on the “52 Places to Go in 2015.” And once again, Orlando captured more nominations in the James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards – considered the Oscars of the culinary world – than any other Florida destination. Five local chefs were named semifinalists for Best Chef of the South, proving Orlando is truly becoming a new foodie mecca.

Build attendance with excitement in Orlando where your attendees will be inspired to think outside-the-box and have the unlimited entertainment options to build relationships after the meeting. From its wide array of hotels and resorts and award-winning dining to exciting entertainment and one-of-a-kind event experiences, see why Orlando is becoming the new hot spot for unforgettable meetings.

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