The fact is, general session attendees have always had options. The human mind craves the new and the different. And when general sessions weren’t stimulating enough plenty of attendees just walked out, tuned out, or, like the cadets at the left, drooled on their neighbor.
Nowadays, when almost everyone has a mobile device, general session attendees have even more options for leaving their body in the general session, but taking their mind somewhere else.
And so meeting planners are increasingly turning to fun, both as a way to break up general sessions, but also deliver content in a way that is memorable and engaging.
Dale Irwin, a Chicago comedian who bills himself as a “professional summarizer,” told Meetings Focus magazine that fun helps keep people not only in their seats, but off their phones:
“As a presenter and as a planner, you have to remember that keeping people laughing is a valuable tactic,” Irwin continues. “When you’re in the audience and laughing, you’re not asleep, you’re paying attention. Very close attention because you don’t want to miss the next line in case it’s about you, or somebody you know, or maybe your boss. When you’re laughing, you’re not checking e-mail, playing Angry Birds or walking out of the presentation. You are actively engaged with the content. That doesn’t happen so much with PowerPoint.”
What kind of fun are planners putting in general sessions?
- Karaoke with live bands
- Rock groups including legend acts
- Comedians
- Comedy sketch and improv troupes
- And more
There has to be a business purpose to the fun. No one wants to get a call from their boss or a reporter asking about your ‘lavish’ meetings. But today those kinds of questions can be answered if there is a business purpose.
How are you bringing fun to your general sessions? Comment below.
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