Emma Boynton, Head of Sales and Marketing at Imago Venues.
Imago Venue’s previous research – Does the future have room for face-to-face communication – found an interactive presentation where delegates are encouraged to get involved with the learning process is of most importance to meeting attendees in helping them retain information.
Technology in meetings has to be used carefully to avoid it becoming a distraction, according to Imago Venues.
Its research into “Is meetings industry is doing enough to inspire the business leaders of tomorrow?” found that whilst 75% of delegates and 77% of students like meetings to use interactive games and new technology, it has to be used so it does not take away from the learning process. The research was carried out in conjunction with Loughborough University and The Right Solution.
Responses from meetings attendees included;
- “Technology has got to enhance….. And work well”
- “It has to complement the meeting and bring people together.”
- “I like the use of elements that can provide powerful images that create a better image in the mind of what we are trying to achieve.”
These findings back up Imago Venue’s previous research – Does the future have room for face-to-face communication – which found an interactive presentation where delegates are encouraged to get involved with the learning process is of most importance to meeting attendees in helping them retain information, with one focus group commenting “there is nothing better than a white board and pen or a flip chart to help with group cohesion.”
Emma Boynton, Head of Sales and Marketing at Imago Venues, comments: “There has been much talk about the use of technology and social communication to engage millennials. Some research suggest that gamification and interactivity is necessary in order to gain the enthusiasm of attendees, particularly those under the age of 25.
“But our results suggest a slightly more subtle subtext. Technology must have a strategic objective and not just be used for the sake of it. Delegates and students made it clear that the purpose of technology is to be interactive and to give them a voice during the proceedings. They want fun, relevant ways of enjoying content via games and technology. So whilst it is important to recognise that there is a demand for a personalised approach with technology, event organisers should remember meeting attendees want to learn something valuable and develop relationships that will benefit them, and technology isn’t always the way to achieve this.”
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She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
