Simon on: Stand Out - Time to think about the security of wearable devices

Wearable devices have been hailed as the latest must-have tech with more and more smartwatches cropping up in the events industry.

While some are discussing their value, a study by Hewlett-Packard has uncovered some shocking issues as most of the current popular devices were found to have ‘poor’ security features.

To read my warning to the industry, click here.

Simon on: ITCM - Be responsible for event registration security

We’ve seen many major companies experience security breaches with the Ashley Madison hack even leading to suicides, so isn’t it time industries take a look at how it protects its customers’ data?

The events sector has seen an increase in the number of conference websites which requires its delegates to sign in, pay to attend, and book sessions, and while the companies behind the sites should be doing everything to keep data secure, some of the onus is on those registering.

When it comes to password choice, size really does matter, but websites still insist on implementing password limitations.

Read the whole article about the vicious password circle, as featured on ITCM, by clicking here.

Simon on: Stop droning on about drones

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has finally created a drone code for those who seem hell-bent on implementing these unmanned aircraft here, there and everywhere – and about time too.

I have nothing against this technology. I myself am an avid hobbyist when it comes to drones and I’m the first to concede that they have amazing potential in all sorts of areas but conferences and other indoor events isn’t one of them.

It simply seems another case of pointless technology use – why risk endangering others, breaking several laws (and incurring fines or prosecution) and wasting valuable conference planning time filing flight plans, checking pilot licences and insurances when we already have video?

Video today holds all kinds of possibilities and the quality along with software advances means footage can be captured just as easily, and a lot more safely, using this method.

I think what gripes me most about the explosion of drone popularity and the shunning of video is that the industry hadn’t even mastered video correctly yet, but has moved onto something far more complex and dangerous without even considering the multitude of consequences.

Anyone can buy an off the shelf drone but with it comes a mass of responsibility – it cannot just be used at a conference for the sake of it, and really, is there anything that is going to come out of the conference that requires such an expensive and dangerous piece of tech to be used? 

Originally published in Conference News

Simon on: When is a presentation not a presentation?

I’ve attended a lot of presentations at events over the years and it seems to me that the definition of a presentation is increasingly getting lost somewhere along the way.

The dictionary says a presentation is a “speech or talk in which a new product, idea or piece of work is shown and explained to an audience” but I’m seeing an increasing number of presentations that had a brief introduction and then the speaker told us to get into groups and discuss the topic.

I don’t believe people attending these sessions want this. I believe they want to hear an expert tell them things about a particular subject that they didn’t previously know and to provide them with ideas and data that they couldn’t get anywhere else.

The method demonstrated by these speakers who turned the session into a discussion is the equivalent of buying a book to find that after one chapter, the rest is blank and all it says is ‘discuss’.

It all seemed a bit of a cop-out and made me feel that the presenters didn’t really know the subject – it was probably easier for them to lead the group to a discussion as it absolved them of any responsibility. 

Originally published in Conference News

Simon on: ITCM - Bells and whistles can't mask poor material

When is a presentation not a presentation? When the expert speaker turns to the audience and asks them to discuss what they think is the answer.

I’ve attended a great deal of event presentations over the years and it seems like this cop-out method is becoming increasingly popular.

A great presentation has a clear objective and strong content – it provides the audience with valuable information they previously didn’t know.

Bells and whistles won’t cover up a lack of poor knowledge.

Read the whole article, featured on ITCM, by clicking here.

Simon on: ITCM - Are the questions essential?

When we read about successful registration strategies we often either have to overlook the hidden agendas subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) dropped into the article, or ignore the bandwagon trend that is the sudden must-have.

In this article I divulge the non-agenda answer to registration success – and I’ll give you a clue, it has nothing to do with the latest bit of shiny, game-changing gadgetry.

It is simply common sense – stick to the necessities.

To find out what these are, read the whole article featured on ITCM, by clicking here.

Simon on: Indoor GPS

Indoor GPS seems to be a topic that keeps cropping up in the industry but personally, I can’t see what benefits it could bring.

I’ve been to a lot of events but I don’t recall thinking that the floorplan was too complicated to navigate. Most exhibitions are laid out on a grid which makes it relatively easy to find your way around.

I honestly wouldn’t bother using an event app’s version of sat-nav to get me from one stand to another – even if it knew where I was supposed to be next because of an appointment schedule.

Should an organiser really be encouraging visitors to their event to stare mindlessly at their devices rather than wandering around, seeing other exhibitors and potentially networking? There are already enough distractions on mobile devices anyway.

To me it feels just like TV manufacturers attitudes. Over the past 5-10 years we’ve seen more and more gimmicks that don’t necessarily add anything, but sound good when you’re looking at them in the shop. Then you purchase and when you get home you find that actually you don’t really use any of the new features.

My opinion is that indoor GPS is another pointless feature that will cost a lot to implement and provide no genuine benefits. Maybe someone will prove me wrong one day but I can’t see it yet.

Originally published in Conference News