Aaron Wolowiec

MARCH 5, 2021

As 2020 was wrapping up, and association executives had seen their fair share of virtual event platforms, the Michigan Society of Association Executives wanted to go back to basics for their January operations conference. Here's how it went.

Conference 211

Conference Michigan 211

Aaron Wolowiec

APRIL 9, 2021

In 2020 many associations were forced to react quickly and either cancel events or pivot to virtual. In many cases shifting to virtual also allowed them to retain sponsorship and exhibit revenue versus refunding dollars.

Revenue 244

Revenue 244

Aaron Wolowiec

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

The mainstay of association chapters has been their chapter events, polls show that the preference for virtual options has risen to nearly 50%, a stat that has a compound effect on member engagement. Where does this all leave chapters? In a precarious position.

Member Engagement 130

Member Engagement Strategy 130

Aaron Wolowiec

NOVEMBER 11, 2014

No wonder so many of us are spending less time away from our offices and our families to attend professional development events or other workplace functions. It seems associations got the memo as the industry experiences a slow uptick in virtual events. The third most popular reason for offering virtual events?

Survey 100

Survey Cost Technology Revenue 100

Aaron Wolowiec

OCTOBER 28, 2014

If something comes up, will the organizer provide content virtually? According to a new report by American Express Meetings and Events , I’m not alone. And almost all attendees have computers, which makes virtual attendance a breeze. But interestingly, most event planners reported they don’t offer virtual options.

Technology 100

Technology Social Media Survey Conference 100

Aaron Wolowiec

JUNE 9, 2015

This year has been, and will continue to be, defined by intelligent growth for the meetings and events industry, the report found. For starters, 60 percent of survey respondents predict an increase in live events, while 56 percent predict an increase in virtual events.

Denver 100

Denver Georgia Survey Report 100

Aaron Wolowiec

JANUARY 6, 2015

But if I have to pick, I’m going to choose an event hosted in a hotel with comfy beds, free Wi-Fi, probably a restaurant….and As such, cybersecurity at hotels will become increasingly important for events and meetings in 2015.”. Also listed in “9 Ways Meetings Will Impact Hotels in 2015”: Virtual reality travel experiences.

Price 100

Price Report Technology Class 100

Aaron Wolowiec

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

14, I had the opportunity to interview Elliott Masie for an ASAE Professional Development Virtual Learning Session titled, “ Ask the Expert: Accelerating the Spread of Knowledge, Learning and Collaboration.” Before the event are there effective ways to engage the learner? Elliott Masie, The MASIE Center. On Wednesday, Jan.

Conference 100

Conference Case Study Video Education 100

Aaron Wolowiec

SEPTEMBER 15, 2015

Meetings and events offer the best possible platform to help millennials expand their networks, customize their self-education and personalize their career paths,” the report says. Translated: Associations should think differently about events. Gen Y wants event apps and social media platforms. Enter the rise of hybrid meetings.

millennials 100

millennials Social Media Report Case Study 100

Aaron Wolowiec

SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Q & A with Kate Pojeta, conventions and exhibitions manager, Event Garde. A: Event Garde has some amazing clients and I’m excited to be on the team to help conventions succeed. Kate Pojeta, conventions and exhibitions manager. Q: What are you looking most forward to in your role with EG? It’s cozy (hot cider anyone?)

Michigan 100

Michigan Content Conference Team 100

Aaron Wolowiec

NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Conferences, meetings and events should be learning-filled experiences. As in-person and virtual events blend, the hybrid world is growing rapidly. Of course, there will be plenty of time for networking and visiting the expo. Why attend Tech 14?

Education 100

Education Technology Conference Tools 100

Aaron Wolowiec

FEBRUARY 9, 2016

Live streaming – Not many associations offer virtual conferences, but instead nearly 30 percent said they live stream events. Aligning with Event Garde’s tagline, Learn.Network.Transfer, look for blog posts throughout the next few months that break down specific elements of Tagoras’ report.

Learning Management System 100

Learning Management System Class Social Media LMS 100

Aaron Wolowiec

APRIL 22, 2014

As some of you may know, in addition to my role with Event Garde , I work for Michigan State University’s central communications office. Associations should provide a platform to allow their members to share virtual resources. I love working with students. They’re brilliant. They’re ambitious. They’re overachievers.

Mooc 100

Mooc Certificate Social Media Michigan 100

Aaron Wolowiec

MAY 6, 2014

Additional insights were gleaned from The Meetings Report jointly published by Event Garde and MSAE. Networking events. Virtual (e.g., Knowledge-based learning. Online learning/training. Peer-to-peer. Printed resources/materials (e.g., publications). Regional meetings. Research-driven. Roundtable discussions. Team-building.

Education 100

Education Michigan Certificate Revenue 100

Aaron Wolowiec

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

As people become increasingly dependent on mobile news and social networking platforms, conference and event planners will look for facilities that are keeping pace. For instance, conference rooms will be better prepared for virtual speakers (i.e. webinars) and digital white boards. They may have to travel more. Learn a language.

Social Media 100

Social Media Certificate Technology Industry 100

Aaron Wolowiec

MAY 25, 2012

Trend topics were solicited from local, state and national media outlets, as well as various social media channels, last year’s attendees and registrants of this year’s event. Experiment with a small event or a small portion of a larger event. Filed under: Innovation , Learning , Meetings , Professional Development.

Innovation 100

Innovation Michigan Social Media Strategy 100

Aaron Wolowiec

APRIL 26, 2016

Better yet, you will start to virtually “meet” some of people who will be there. Awards & Recognition Breakfast – This optional event on Monday morning is early. A few weeks before, start following the conference hashtag on Twitter (#asae16). You will see a stream of information about sessions, receptions, etc.

Utah 100

Utah Social Media Tips Price 100

Aaron Wolowiec

APRIL 9, 2012

To these organizations, the challenge is to transform industry-specific knowledge and information into viable training; to align education with member needs through regular industry research, analysis and trending; to connect the dots between theory and practice; and to explore opportunities for virtual or blended learning formats.

Strategy 100

Strategy Blended Learning Survey Case Study 100

Aaron Wolowiec

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

Some years ago, I developed and implemented an online event for an organization that attracted hundreds of attendees around the world. With the advent of virtual communities where all of our ideas spread like wildfire, is there really any privacy of ideas? By all measures, it was quite successful. Does it matter?

Proposal 100

Proposal Case Study Project Education 100

Aaron Wolowiec

OCTOBER 3, 2012

. - an online program to complement a live event? (Or Or a hybrid event.). However, when those participants attending virtually feel as though they’re a part of the onsite experience, they will likely enjoy the format that much more and find it to be an efficient and effective use of both their time and financial resources.

Technology 100

Technology Social Media Video eBook 100