Technology
[tek-nol-uh-jee]
1. the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society and the environment.
2. the application of this knowledge for practical ends.
In light of the situation surrounding COVID-19, meetings professionals are using technology like never before. From hosting virtual meetings and events to navigating a remote working environment, technology has increased connectivity in a time of social distancing. In this Education Essentials, you'll learn how technology can be leveraged during remote work, best practices for planning a virtual meeting or event, and the year's top technology trends to watch.
Got What You Need?
With the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in an influx of remote workers, it's a good time to revisit your home office's technology and understand what can boost your productivity when working from home for more than just a day at a time. Check out this article for additional technology tips to help you get acclimated to the remote work environment.
Virtual Meetings and Events
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and state-by-state stay-at-home orders, in-person meetings are temporarily being replaced with virtual experiences and technology is being leveraged in a new way. When it comes to virtual content delivery, every meetings professional should consider what different formats and delivery options are available for online content, what specific actions you need to take in the immediate future as we adjust to this "new normal," what platforms are most effective for virtual meetings, and what are the different pricing structures around virtual content and how can you maximize the value and long-term impact of online content. Get answers to these questions and more in this Guide to Going Virtual.
Check out the resources FICP meetings professionals and hospitality partners are sharing in this discussion thread on TheNetwork and see what others have done to support virtual meetings. From using Zoom to encourage collaboration and audience engagement to live-streaming an event, technology allows for new avenues in the meetings and events industry. Do you have any recommendations to share with the FICP community? Add your suggestions to the thread and continue the conversation.
Introducing FICP Chats
FICP brings together meetings professionals and hospitality partners for open dialogues about the future of meetings. Log in to TheNetwork to register for the upcoming sessions below.
The Future of Meetings - Focusing on Safety and Cleanliness
Thursday, April 23 - 1:00 p.m. CT
During this discussion, we will be focusing on the safety and cleanliness of our meetings. Topics will include cleanliness and sanitation standards, communicating protocols to meeting attendees, and instilling a comfort level to the potential traveler.
The Future of Meetings - Focusing on Operations and Logistics
Thursday, April 30 - 1:00 p.m. CT
During this discussion, we will be focusing on the operations and logistics of our meetings. Topics will include food and beverage service protocols, meeting sets taking into account social distancing, offsite activities and evening events, and testing for COVID-19 on-site at registration
The Future of Meetings - Focusing on 2020 and the Rest of the Year
Thursday, May 7 - 1:00 p.m. CT
During this discussion, we will be focusing on what’s to come for the rest of this year. Topics will include how soon meetings professionals can expect to host meetings, what the rest of the year will look like and more.
Working Remotely
Remote work was rare a decade ago, often reserved for special circumstances and negatively perceived as distracting and harmful to productivity. Today, it is the reality for many Americans as shelter-in-place orders have come into play. Read more about the evolution of remote work and what's in store for remote work in the future.
Despite this new normal, many of us are still adjusting to remote work. This article from Forbes suggests getting dressed every morning to get yourself in the right mindset, replicating your office work tech as much as possible, opting for noise-cancelling headphones if your home environment can get noisy and carving out a dedicated work area. This Wall Street Journal article recommends using digital collaboration tools to communicate with colleagues, discussing any child-care challenges directly with your manager, minimizing distractions in your household and fighting the feeling of isolation by maintaining social connection.
For more tips on working remotely, check out this discussion thread on TheNetwork and these resources shared by Jen Squeglia.
Cybersecurity Threats: Are You Protected?
We are currently living in unprecedented times with COVID-19, and the good majority of us are working remotely. Were you already working remotely? Then you probably have an advantage over those who were not prepared, in terms of having the proper equipment to enable remote work and the strategies to prepare against cybersecurity threats. We already have a lot to worry about with event cancellations and postponements caused by COVID-19, but have you thought about what possible danger you could unknowingly expose your company to? Read more about how to navigate these cybersecurity threats in this blog post from Cindy Y. Lo, DMCP, Red Velvet Events, Inc. and Heidi Carlisle, Aflac Worldwide Headquarters.
Tech Trends to Watch
A research study found that 91% of event organizers say event technology is an important aspect of their job, but only 48% consider themselves to be tech-savvy. Stay up-to-date on technology trends with these 14 must-know innovations for 2020. Included are technologies such as facial recognition, projection mapping, wearable tech and more. Check out this article for additional trends to look for in technology, including gamification, personalization, and virtual event planning, automation and integration.
FICP Shorts: Technology Trends for 2020
Watch the FICP Shorts below as Corbin Ball reviews the top technology trends that will be most accessible to meetings professionals with limited budgets in 2020.
In the following FICP Short from Paul Bills, learn how you can incorporate AI into your next meeting or event.
#TBT - Second-Screen Technology
In a past FICP blog post, John Santaferraro from Educational Measures shares “5 Secrets to Success” with second-screen technology.
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Education Forum Special Update
We know that most of you are wondering about this year’s Education Forum, and we have been eager to share news with you. While our conversations with the Langham are ongoing about potential options, we want you to know that the FICP Board of Directors has agreed to postpone the 2020 Education Forum to a later date. It will not occur on June 24-26 as originally planned. We will provide additional details at our first opportunity. As all of you can appreciate, the Langham is operating with a reduced staff and helping us with as much urgency as they can in this situation. We appreciate your patience and will follow up as soon as our options have been finalized.