We're nearing the end of another conference season, and as I look back on all the events I've attended so far this year, there are a number of opportunities I see for making future events even better.

One day events
I usually get 90% of the value from the first day of any multi-day event.

Shorter events would be easier to produce, keep us more focused and have less chance of taking up our entire week. (Attracting more busy executives.)

Bring in speakers who have done something remarkable
Too often we just get the same industry analysts. I like to hear stories from people who are actually out there shaking things up. Require presenters to share case studies and show how they did it.

Bring in speakers who will say something remarkable
Executives from public companies can be so tight-lipped that they stay boring. Let's hear from people who can open up, break some news, and tell us something we haven't heard before.

More, smaller sessions
Featuring more sessions at a conference would allow us to focus on niche topics. It would help us go beyond generalities.

I'd rather sit in on a session about "20 Ways to Use Twitter for Better Customer Service" than one more talk about "How Travelers Use Social Media."

These small sessions might also help with the next area of improvement I see….

More discussion
I learn more from the other attendees than the speakers at nearly every event I go to. Conferences should be for, by, and about attendees.

No speeches during lunch
It's hard for the presenter, and it gives us as attendees less time to talk about what we've been learning.

Instead, arrange lunch tables by discussion topic so it's productive. (EyeForTravel did a good job with this at their San Francisco event this spring)

More networking
This is the biggest reason most of us attend conferences. So make it easy. Make it a priority.

Facilitate connections before, during, and after the event.

Better food
We are what we eat, and to keep energy levels up, provide power food. There's usually an abundance of coffee and pastries at any event, but where is the health food?

As an attendee, I want to be focused on the event, not wondering how long it will take to leave the venue and find my own fuel.

I applaud Blog World Expo for being flawless here: juice, fresh fruit and granola is usually everywhere.

Better name badges
Emphasize the first name and company name. IN HUGE LETTERS.

This is just basic design sense…

Experiment with some new technology
DoubleDutch (and many others) are pioneering location-based services that enhance the conference experience by letting people connect with each other and their environment. (You should probably talk to Bryan Bruce about this.)

No more business cards!
I hate business cards. I really do. (It's why I'm always evangelizing Bump) Try to come up with something that avoids us having to exchange these. Like the badge scanners we had at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

More pitches by startups
This is good for everyone. As attendees, it helps us be aware of the newest trends and technology.

Innovative entrepreneurs get wider exposure, more press coverage, and sometimes additional funding to develop their idea.

Invite more bloggers (and treat them like the press)
This may seem self-serving, but its really the best way I can think of to get online exposure for your event.

For nearly every event I attend, the bloggers and new media people account for 90% of the online content you see about it before, during, and after.

Run back-to-back with another conference
I've seen this in a few cases, and its very helpful to fly into a city and hit several events at once. (Like PhoCusWright@ITB in Berlin)

User conferences are great
One of the best events I attended this year was InfusionCon – the user conference for Infusionsoft (the product that powers most of this site).

Booking an entire luxury resort, having 300 of your power users fly in for a few days, and then showing them how to get more out of your product was extremely productive for everyone involved. The attendees feel special, vendors can reach a very focused audience, and the host company builds loyalty and gains insight for innovation.

If I ran a software company, hosting an event like this would be a top priority for me.

Save and publish everything
Record lots of video and take lots of photos – and then publish those online on YouTube, Flickr and elsewhere. Have bloggers tweet and liveblog the sessions (see above).

It's a great way to build online visibility, promote your event, and encourage attendees to sign up for next years' event.

www.hotelmarketingstrategies.com/improve-travel-conferences

About the author
This blog is written by Josiah Mackenzie, who enjoys exploring the relationship between emerging technology and the hospitality industry. 

www.hotelmarketingstrategies.com