Comments on: The Art of Butts in Chairs http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-art-of-butts-in-chairs/ Learn How Human Business Works - Beyond Social Media Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:16:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: How to Drive Conference Attendance? « Zerista's Blog http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-art-of-butts-in-chairs/comment-page-1/#comment-199011 How to Drive Conference Attendance? « Zerista's Blog Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:13:07 +0000 http://www.chrisbrogan.com/?p=3533#comment-199011 [...] A great example of this kind of approach is outlined in Chris Brogan’s excellent post The Art of Butts in Chairs. [...] [...] A great example of this kind of approach is outlined in Chris Brogan’s excellent post The Art of Butts in Chairs. [...]

]]> By: How to Keep It Simple – The Flip Video Camcorder http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-art-of-butts-in-chairs/comment-page-1/#comment-178456 How to Keep It Simple – The Flip Video Camcorder Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:35:02 +0000 http://www.chrisbrogan.com/?p=3533#comment-178456 [...] The Art of Butts in Chairs [...] [...] The Art of Butts in Chairs [...]

]]> By: Chris Brogan http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-art-of-butts-in-chairs/comment-page-1/#comment-188767 Chris Brogan Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:00:39 +0000 http://www.chrisbrogan.com/?p=3533#comment-188767 That's a really tricky one, Charlotte. I've had the same happen on a much smaller scale, but it's not ever any fun at any level. I think the best one *can* do is to apologize to the speaker, to ask if you can record it on video (all tight shots) for their speaking collection, and then maybe offer even better transportation back to the airport and an upgrade to 1st class (if that wasn't your original plan). There's not a lot of ways to fix that problem once it starts, so you have to begin the "exit gracefully" protocol instead. <br><br>How did you handle it? That's a really tricky one, Charlotte. I've had the same happen on a much smaller scale, but it's not ever any fun at any level. I think the best one *can* do is to apologize to the speaker, to ask if you can record it on video (all tight shots) for their speaking collection, and then maybe offer even better transportation back to the airport and an upgrade to 1st class (if that wasn't your original plan). There's not a lot of ways to fix that problem once it starts, so you have to begin the “exit gracefully” protocol instead.

How did you handle it?

]]> By: Chris Brogan http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-art-of-butts-in-chairs/comment-page-1/#comment-177193 Chris Brogan Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:00:39 +0000 http://www.chrisbrogan.com/?p=3533#comment-177193 That's a really tricky one, Charlotte. I've had the same happen on a much smaller scale, but it's not ever any fun at any level. I think the best one *can* do is to apologize to the speaker, to ask if you can record it on video (all tight shots) for their speaking collection, and then maybe offer even better transportation back to the airport and an upgrade to 1st class (if that wasn't your original plan). There's not a lot of ways to fix that problem once it starts, so you have to begin the "exit gracefully" protocol instead. <br><br>How did you handle it? That's a really tricky one, Charlotte. I've had the same happen on a much smaller scale, but it's not ever any fun at any level. I think the best one *can* do is to apologize to the speaker, to ask if you can record it on video (all tight shots) for their speaking collection, and then maybe offer even better transportation back to the airport and an upgrade to 1st class (if that wasn't your original plan). There's not a lot of ways to fix that problem once it starts, so you have to begin the “exit gracefully” protocol instead.

How did you handle it?

]]> By: Charlotte Tomic http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-art-of-butts-in-chairs/comment-page-1/#comment-177090 Charlotte Tomic Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:17:05 +0000 http://www.chrisbrogan.com/?p=3533#comment-177090 What do you do if you are invited to speak at a conference that promises 5000 attendees and then no one shows up to hear one of the major speakers? How would you handle that crisis? What do you do if you are invited to speak at a conference that promises 5000 attendees and then no one shows up to hear one of the major speakers? How would you handle that crisis?

]]> By: Attendance For Trade Shows and Conventions | Trade Shows - Trade Show - Trade Show Blogs - Convention Blogs http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-art-of-butts-in-chairs/comment-page-1/#comment-168119 Attendance For Trade Shows and Conventions | Trade Shows - Trade Show - Trade Show Blogs - Convention Blogs Thu, 07 May 2009 18:29:01 +0000 http://www.chrisbrogan.com/?p=3533#comment-168119 [...] shows and conventions I would have to say attendance is the royalty.  My friend and colleague Chris Brogan runs some events that I was able to attend in San Francisco called the Inbound Marketing Summit.  This last show he [...] [...] shows and conventions I would have to say attendance is the royalty.  My friend and colleague Chris Brogan runs some events that I was able to attend in San Francisco called the Inbound Marketing Summit.  This last show he [...]

]]> By: Jon Moss http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-art-of-butts-in-chairs/comment-page-1/#comment-165258 Jon Moss Sun, 29 Mar 2009 11:04:46 +0000 http://www.chrisbrogan.com/?p=3533#comment-165258 Great post, and some very useful comments so a big thanks to all! Currently in the planning stages of my first conference, so this is spot on for ideas and feedback. I'm lucky in the fact that the city where I live has never had a tech / business / online conference, so am hoping it will be a success. Great post, and some very useful comments so a big thanks to all!

Currently in the planning stages of my first conference, so this is spot on for ideas and feedback. I’m lucky in the fact that the city where I live has never had a tech / business / online conference, so am hoping it will be a success.

]]> By: Internet Marketing http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-art-of-butts-in-chairs/comment-page-1/#comment-165001 Internet Marketing Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:45:29 +0000 http://www.chrisbrogan.com/?p=3533#comment-165001 Thanks for some great ideas...there is definitely an art to "getting butts in chairs" and of course there is some science too. And of course one of the keys, like you mentioned, is reaching out and attempting to bring the best speakers in, as well. Thanks again, Sean Thanks for some great ideas…there is definitely an art to “getting butts in chairs” and of course there is some science too. And of course one of the keys, like you mentioned, is reaching out and attempting to bring the best speakers in, as well.

Thanks again,

Sean

]]> By: Dave Lutz http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-art-of-butts-in-chairs/comment-page-1/#comment-164731 Dave Lutz Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:17:27 +0000 http://www.chrisbrogan.com/?p=3533#comment-164731 Chris, great post and very thought provoking comments by all! I think the challenge that most event organizers have is that they feel they need to control the channel. Some will make you join a new platform or group, others will want to moderate the user generated content, most will just not generate enough interesting content. It should be a requirement for all speakers to provide advance blog content and to invite VIP's to attend. Most big conferences have another challenge. Their web traffic will be off the charts several weeks before the show and then drop off to nothing after the show. Those conferences/expos usually are doing little to nothing to re-package the live content and build upon it. How about doing a session of the week with multiple blog posts, video archives, discussions? I've written a couple recent articles that may help. This one is on <a href="http://www.pcma.org/Convene/Issue_Archives/December_2008/People_and_Processes.htm" rel="nofollow"> - SEO for Event Websites</a> and this one is about <a href="http://www.pcma.org/Convene/Issue_Archives/February_2009/People_and_Processes.htm" rel="nofollow"> - Attracting Attendees & Sponsors in a Down Economy</a>. Chris, great post and very thought provoking comments by all! I think the challenge that most event organizers have is that they feel they need to control the channel. Some will make you join a new platform or group, others will want to moderate the user generated content, most will just not generate enough interesting content. It should be a requirement for all speakers to provide advance blog content and to invite VIP’s to attend.

Most big conferences have another challenge. Their web traffic will be off the charts several weeks before the show and then drop off to nothing after the show. Those conferences/expos usually are doing little to nothing to re-package the live content and build upon it. How about doing a session of the week with multiple blog posts, video archives, discussions?

I’ve written a couple recent articles that may help. This one is on – SEO for Event Websites and this one is about – Attracting Attendees & Sponsors in a Down Economy.

]]> By: Corinne Edwards http://www.chrisbrogan.com/the-art-of-butts-in-chairs/comment-page-1/#comment-164670 Corinne Edwards Sun, 22 Mar 2009 18:51:46 +0000 http://www.chrisbrogan.com/?p=3533#comment-164670 Hi Chris - Excellent ideas above. As a travel agent/meeting planner for over 20 years, here are my two cents – I would add – Families are hungry for a vacation in this recession economy but an attendee does not bring them to a city location. If they could kill two birds at once, we might have a better chance of attendance. Two people - or even a family of four in a room does not cost much more, if anything. Pick a resort location – just a little off season to get the best prices. Not off the beaten track – with nonstop flight from major cities. If your market is in the US, stay here. The IRS is much more lenient about education write-offs if your meeting is in the US. Include the hotel in the price so they know what they are spending. People are not familiar with many places and it is daunting to find a convenient hotel. Choose a large hotel as most of the rooms are similar so there are no gripes about who got the best room for the same price. They will also make deals for free rooms for your speakers who are not paying. Usually about one free for every fifteen. They also will deal on meeting space and parking. A large hotel will have varied sized meeting rooms for different events. Staying in one hotel keeps the group together and promotes community. Arrange sightseeing for spouses and children. A separate package. Perhaps sponsors could underwrite some of these. The person who rocks the cradle …. Hi Chris -

Excellent ideas above.

As a travel agent/meeting planner for over 20 years, here are my two cents –

I would add –

Families are hungry for a vacation in this recession economy but an attendee does not bring them to a city location. If they could kill two birds at once, we might have a better chance of attendance. Two people – or even a family of four in a room does not cost much more, if anything.

Pick a resort location – just a little off season to get the best prices. Not off the beaten track – with nonstop flight from major cities.

If your market is in the US, stay here. The IRS is much more lenient about education write-offs if your meeting is in the US.

Include the hotel in the price so they know what they are spending. People are not familiar with many places and it is daunting to find a convenient hotel.

Choose a large hotel as most of the rooms are similar so there are no gripes about who got the best room for the same price. They will also make deals for free rooms for your speakers who are not paying. Usually about one free for every fifteen. They also will deal on meeting space and parking.

A large hotel will have varied sized meeting rooms for different events.

Staying in one hotel keeps the group together and promotes community.

Arrange sightseeing for spouses and children. A separate package. Perhaps sponsors could underwrite some of these. The person who rocks the cradle ….

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