Imagining What’s Next: The Future of Meetings

Nancy Wilson, CMPMitchell Beer, CMM

February 10, 2010

Imagining What’s Next

• What’s on the (±10-year) horizon?• What’s less certain?• What are organizations doing about it?• What do sustainable meeting professionals bring

to the table?

Imagining What’s Next

• What we’re not talking about• Who should do most of the talking• Next steps: Feedback to the closing session

What’s on the Horizon?

• Impacts of climate change• Water and resource scarcity• Rising oil prices• Virtual technologies and social media• Political instability and terrorism• Greater scrutiny and accountability

What’s Less Certain?

• How will people view mobility and the environment?

• How will legislation and resource limits (re)shape travel?

• How will local/regional meetings balance national/international gatherings?

• How will live and virtual formats interact?

How Are Organizations Responding?• Less travel• More virtual meetings• Tighter budgets• Shorter lead times

So…• Where does sustainability fit the picture?• What’s gained and what’s lost?

What About Sustainable Meeting Professionals?• What skills and knowledge do we bring?• How can we help our organizations adapt, and

where will we fall short?• What skills and knowledge will endure, and what

part of our toolbox will be obsolete?• What resources do we need to help us

maximize our value?