In-person events: dinosaur or dynamite?

The Art of Gathering

I am currently reading a great book:  the Art of Gathering: How we How We Meet and Why It Matters, by Priya Parker.

It has made me re-think the End of Year party I am planning, our family boxing day BBQ, even dinner with friends next week. Of course, that also led me to applying the idea of ‘how we meet and why it matters’ to the upcoming revival and relaunch of the Digital Workplace Conference (which was inevitably canceled in 2020).  Who should attend?  What could we do to make it significant? But most importantly – the purpose behind our gatherings….

Digital vs Analogue

There are certain advantages to all of the online activity that has sprung forth in these past 3 years (like pajama-level comfort, no traffic or weather delays, no time-zone or availability barriers, and reduced costs associated with travel).  I think most of us have questioned whether attending gatherings in person even has a place anymore… is it a dinosaur?

Considering every angle: absolutely in-person still has a place, it’s still dynamite…. And here’s why:

Being Present

While the at-home factors of attending events are appealing (I’m talking about you pyjamas!), if I’m being honest, I’d say it is a rarity for me to ever dedicate 100% of my attention when I watch or attend something digitally. It doesn’t draw me into the moment. The speaker, message or learning is not my sole focus. As a result, I don’t get the same value that I would if I was at the same thing in person. And it’s really only about 5% of the time that I ever actually go back and watch (or rewatch) a missed presentation.  Can you relate?

Two-dimensional

Gatherings, events, learning… online these things are 2-dimensional.  You only have your interpretation of what is being presented, you seldom have the opportunity to discuss the content with someone else or get a different perspective.  Comparatively, an in-person experience gives you 4 dimensions. You also ‘feel’.  You are influenced by the tone, gestures, environment, and your senses. 

Moved to Action

In person I’m moved to take action.  Because of point 2 above, where there is a 4- dimensional experience, you are more likely to implement ideas or drive change afterwards.  Who doesn’t love a bit of action, right?

Also, a change of physical environment, atmosphere, people… it supports people to think differently, to shake up their normal view of the world and take on new ideas.

Power of the People

In the end, for me, it all boils down to the fact we go to events for the connection with others.  But how exactly do we do that?

Typically, there will be an entire audience of smart, intelligent, knowledgeable people at a conference who are willing to share their experiences, swap stories and learn from each other. But for the most part, those people will just listen to a presenter “talking at” them, with little chance to engage.

If the breaks are long enough, maybe there are opportunities to connect with the person you sat next to in the previous session. You might visit exhibitors, take a bit of downtime, and probably fit in eating or grabbing a drink. Often an evening event will allow for some connection in a social context – but it can be hard at the end of a brain-taxing day to drum up willpower for small talk.

But the connecting is crucial. It’s all about the power of the people.  So conferences need to find the right space and atmosphere, as well as including a format that makes connecting easy.  It’s also important to provide time where people can take time out and digest new ideas and information. This becomes the Art of Gathering.

What brings the Art of Gathering to this event? 

• Yes, you will still learn something.
• Yes, you will still be inspired.

But expect lots of opportunities to interact, connect and engage – as well as the golden nuggets to take back to your workplace and apply. 

We are very focused on making this year THE most engaging, interactive event ever!  

I would welcome your ideas on ways to make events more interactive, what you personally want to get out of an event and how we could help facilitate that.  Let’s start the discussion here. 

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THREE NEW INITIATIVES WORTH NOTING

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Other Key Information Links

• The Conference website is here: www.dwcnz.co.nz.
• Agenda – https://dwcnz.co.nz/agenda/
• Workshops – https://dwcnz.co.nz/workshops/
• Speakers – https://dwcnz.co.nz/speakers/