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MAR-APR 2018 13 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS • MCMAG-ASIA.COM 4. GET CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING. Meetings that are infused with creativity will be more productive. "Anything that breaks up the boring meeting mentality and gets people smiling and laughing helps break down any walls employees may have, and it also helps relax employees and get their creative juices owing," explains Claire Pearson, president, CP Inc. & Creatives, who after 15 years left her position as chief operating ocer of a national retail company to start the organisation. 5. INCLUDE ACTIVITY. Belly dancing, yoga, Hula-Hooping, anything that gets smiles on faces and energy levels up should be included in the meeting, says Alecia May, CEO of Eventistry by Alecia. 6. GET NOSTALGIC. Some corporations have had success with a whatever's-old-is-new-again approach. "Go back through time and nd games from the '50s, '60s, '70s, and '80s. Twister, Toss Across, and Trouble are attention- getting and will draw attendees over to watch the fun and join in," notes Julie Austin, CEO of the consulting rm Creative Innovation Group. 7. BRING ON THE PACHYDERMS. At the association meetings he has planned, Dr. Elliott B. Jaa, a marketing and behavioural psychologist, has arranged disruptors that have included bringing in a baby elephant for attendees to pet and hiring a juggler who juggles screeching chainsaws. 8. SHAKE THEM UP. Surprises, good and bad, are disruptors. Jaa got the attention of a group he was addressing when he arranged for a hotel employee dressed in uniform to rush onstage and hand him a note. He pretended to read it and exclaimed, "Did anyone use valet parking this morning?" Lots of hands went up and he said, "Management apologises but they have no idea who those guys who claimed to be valets are." As Jaa recalls, "I not only got a laugh, but I scared the hell out of those who used the valet." Play With a Purpose training game 10. ADD FUN AND GAMES. Gamify your coee break, as well as your entire meeting, in a way that encourages people to network to earn points. 11. GIVE THE INTROVERTS MORE TIME TO BRAINSTORM. It is important to consider the needs of introverts during not just coee breaks but throughout the meeting. They may need to sleep on questions posed rather than compete with extroverts for quick idea production. It may help if you provide a space for them to post follow- up comments such as in a kiosk or on a whiteboard for all to see. Meetingmax session at interactive venue The Home 12. HAVE AN UNCONVENTION. Meetingmax, a Canadian event housing-technology company, has rened the concept of disruption at its annual user conference, the "Unconvention." It selects a conference concept and then chooses venues that reinforce it. In recent years, Unconvention has explored a number of unique themes and locations. They have included "Diving Deeper," which included a gathering in an aquarium, taking a local ferry, and eating at a 9. JAZZ UP COFFEE BREAKS. One area of a meeting that desperately needs disruption is the coffee break, says Fisher. "Studies show that 40 to 50 percent of meeting attendees are introverts, yet the majority of meetings are designed for extroverts. One thing you will never hear introverts say is, 'Coee breaks are my favorite part of the meeting.' One of the rst things introverts or shy attendees will do is pull out their smartphone during a break," adds Fisher. She recommends disrupting traditional coee breaks with those that encourage interaction. They include: "Walk-the-Wall" activities like an "I'm Daydreaming of…" room. Here, attendees can doodle on a wall about their dreams and aspirations. Creating a "ash learning mob" where passionate conversations about your sessions and content can take place. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

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