Leveraging Strategy to Amplify Education Initiatives

Leveraging Strategy to Amplify Education Initiatives

Thursday, Oct. 3, 20131:15 – 2:45 p.m.

Aaron D. Wolowiec, MSA, CAE, CMP, CTA

The Meetings Coach

↠ Introductions

↠ What’s inhibiting attendance?

↠ Carousel activity

↠ Tactics and action items

↠ Wrap-up

Please stand and remain standing if…

What challenges do you face getting people to participate in your current suite of professional development programs?

Introductions

• Name• Organization• Role • What you hope to gain

from this session• Exchange business cards

Attendance Challenges

Changing Landscape

• Time• Competition• Money• Technology

NACEDA Prep Session

• Travel• Opportunity costs• Value proposition• Marketing

Attendance Challenges

• Certification• Continuing education credits• Programming for disparate

experience levels• Personal/professional motivation• Regulations

The Big Picture

Education Engagement Loyalty Retention Return

Education Equation

1. Effectively marketing programs2. Innovative instructional strategies3. Leveraging best practices

Effectively Marketing Programs

• Branding– Color, logos, fonts

• Differentiation• Value proposition• Voice• Brevity• Editorial calendar

• Resources– Budget, design

• Channels–Multimedia

• Testimonials• Sample content• Engage volunteers

Innovative Instructional Strategies

• Adult learning theory– Self-concept–Prior experience– Learning orientation

• Bottom line– Engagement– Transference

• Table for six• Tent card – broad topic• Index cards – question

prompts or challenges• Roam the room• Select a table, theme or

topic of interest• Meaningful dialogue• Enjoy a meal together

Lunch for Six

Example:

• Predetermined topic• Assigned by table• Facilitators volunteer to:– Pose questions– Synthesize discussion– Encourage participation

• Each swap lasts 20-30 minutes

• Visit 3-4 different swaps

Idea Swap

Example:

Leveraging Best Practices

• Diversify revenue– Program mix, exhibits,

sponsorships• Select, prepare and

optimize speakers• Consumer check-in – Evaluations, surveys,

interviews• Fewer, more robust

programs

• Blended learning and virtual meetings

• Outsource select meeting planning activities

• Balance learning with logistics

• Experiment with smaller events/tracks

1. Effectively marketing programs2. Innovative instructional strategies3. Leveraging best practices

Final Thoughts

• The secret to your success is engagement• Education Engagement Loyalty

Retention Return• Market programs more intentionally• Experiment with innovative instructional

methods• Leverage industry best practices• Implement new strategies within 90 days

Resources

• The Meetings Report: http://bit.ly/WxJhTb

• 25 instructional strategies: http://bit.ly/Qssn2G

• Creative conference formats: http://bit.ly/16soc3d

Leave a business card…

I’ll email the slide deck.

Aaron D. WolowiecMSA, CAE, CMP, CTA

(616) 710-1891aaron@eventgarde.comwww.eventgarde.comwww.aaronwolowiec.com

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