As we go into the final quarter of 2013, its seems a good time to reflect over what has been an interesting year at 76 Portland Place. We have hosted a large number of events from small meetings and intimate dinners to large conferences and glittering award ceremonies and there have been some noticeable trends that have presented themselves during the past months, especially among our clients who have been looking to both new technology and alternative set-ups when planning their events.
Firstly there has been a quiet revolution in video conferencing during 2013, with more and more of our clients using state-of-the-art programmes to bring people into meetings from different geographical locations, sparking a technological shift in the meetings and events world.
Previously, video conferencing was an expensive and elaborate option for event organisers, requiring a dedicated suite to be delivered. It also proved expensive using ISDN lines and could be problematic due to temperamental connections and inconsistencies in users firewall settings.
The platform has now developed to become more compact with slick software packages significantly increasing portability. The advantage of these packages is that they can be easily set up on a laptop, connected to a projector and screened so that multiple people can join meetings from different locations, making them a desirable option for event organisers and one which has seen a dramatic increase in use throughout 2013.
It is also evident that during 2013 there has been a significant change in the type of room set-ups that are being requested by clients.
There has been a shift towards cabaret arrangements for both small and larger meetings, with people moving away from the more formal, linear style of theatre or boardroom set-ups, as clients look for more effective ways to engage delegates.
Such trends act as a very good indicator of where the meetings and conferencing scene is heading in 2014, as meeting structures change to become more inclusive and technology keeps improving I look forward to seeing what the next year has to offer.
Any comments? Email sarah@mashmedia.net
