Comments on: Who Is Doing Major Corporate Events?

By: chasecutter

chasecutter — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:03:36 +0000

I say big virtual events can cost just as much if you want to use all the bells and whistles to create the same impact.
For mega guest numbers in different locations, room hire rates, catering and technical costs will still come into it. So, ok, you might kid yourself you’re doing it in secret and therefore out of the media’s eye but any discerning soul involved in a blast-off virtual event knows it comes at a price. There is of course the green argument – virtual ticks a few more environmental boxes.
Weigh it up and add on all of the value of face to face networking and the business opportunities it provides too and see where the real bottom line is. Might be good for you – maybe not. It’s just another question you ask yourself at the planning stage: What’s the platform for this gig?
Let’s face it, communication still needs to take place in hard times. More than ever in fact. And there are some things best said live and face to face.
I’ve used virtual for smaller communications or project stuff but I’d have to think hard about the effectiveness vs. cost for anything bigger.
In the case of AIG and Wells Fargo (and in the UK Royal Bank of Scotland whose fatcats dined while millions lost out on interest rates and hundreds were made redundant) was just terrible decision making and even worse media management. So we all stop using live communication now?

By: chasecutter

chasecutter — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:03:28 +0000

By: Barry LaBov

Barry LaBov — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:08:19 +0000

It’s easy to say that corporate events should be abolished because of AIG, but there are smart corporate events, too. I do agree that lavish events that do nothing more than feed the egos of bloated execs are in bad taste and are unethical–they always have been wrong.
There will still be need for internet based as well as in-person events to motivate and rally the troops as we go through this challenging economy.

By: john gallagher

john gallagher — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:49:32 +0000

As a promotional products consultant and distributor and a member of Meeting Professionals International, I have to say that there is and should be concern as to the use of bailout money and how it is to be and not to be; spent. Measures should be put in place to stop that type of abuse, however, companies that are well run and in control, have every right to use their money as they see fit. This is not to say that they should recklessly use their funds, but a well deserved employee function should be allowed to go on.

By: Nicole Hamilton

Nicole Hamilton — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:01:25 +0000

I work for a corporate events company, so I may be a bit biased. There is nothing that can replace the face to face interactions and connections you make at a real live event, whether it is your annual corporate event or a social networking event in your neighborhood or community. What many corporate events companies fail to realize is that it always takes more than just the event itself. Very rarely, if ever, are you able to reach the goals you hope to accomplish in a 3-4 day annual sales meeting, for example. It may be extremely beneficial to integrate social media or (maybe an internal blog pre/post show), or even a virtual town hall that gets your internal team engaged and gives you the opportunity to listen to some suggestions/hopes for the upcoming meeting. Instead of focusing on how to replace the valuable face to face interactions, why not develop new ways to ignite/continue conversations.
I think many social media advocates would agree that the face to face networking events we have, like the ones organized locally by organizations such as the Social Media Club, are just as critical. It pairs a face with a name/voice and allows us to get to know people on a deeper level. Face to face interactions are always more personal.

By: Alfredo

Alfredo — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:33:34 +0000

With the major economic downfall this 4th quarter we have experienced major losses in our business selling corporate giveaways, now that several companies are canceling their events and prefer do it sometime next year instead.

By: Neil Anuskiewicz

Neil Anuskiewicz — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:21:00 +0000

Nothing can stand in for face-to-face though, to avoid the AIG effect, have it in Toledo or something.

By: lizajane

lizajane — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:56:23 +0000

agreed. It’d,like comparing watching a concert on TV or actually being there… the crowd brings the energy.

By: John Watkis

John Watkis — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:37:47 +0000

Virtual events are certainly more cost effective and convenient than “real” events, but they don’t create the same type of energy that in-person events do.
There’s something unique about the energy that’s created when people share the same space.
Having your virtual event live is a good step. I think it will help to create a different type of energy.
I would be interested in finding out what sort of productivity “bounce” happens after a virtual event vs. a live event.