Online Events: Web Conferencing vs. Webcasting

Companies are constantly trying to reduce costs, better communicate and go global. This wonderful thing called the Internet has made this more possible now than ever before. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean it's done right. I found a white paper from Frost & Sullivan that clearly explains the correct ways to use web conferencing and webcasting. 

Web conferencing is for smaller audiences, is less formal and limited in video function and quality. They're usually conducted over the web and through a phone line. Webcasting is for larger audiences with a lot of features, like surveys and polls, and allows for instant participation. They're usually more structured and broadcast live, similar to UStream.

Companies that offer online event services base their cost on the same premise as traditional in-person events. The cost depends on how many participants are included, the length of time needed, features ordered, etc. They are still cheaper than trying to get hundreds of people together from around the world for a convention. 

Web Conferencing vs. Webcasting - Source: Frost & Sullivan 

Planning a Career Fair

When planning a career fair there are many factors and details to take into account. The employers and attendees both need to feel satisfied at the end of the day, yet it's impossible to make everyone happy. In my opinion, smaller scale career fairs that are focused on a trade skill or specific industry are going to be more successful. The employers will receive resumes specifically from professionally experienced and/or educated candidates in their field, which makes it easier for them to fill their open positions. Attendees will not waste time going from booth to booth hoping that there is a company or job that they are interested in and qualified for. You can also market to specific audiences and geographic regions much easier. Just because a career fair promises over 100 employers or thousands of candidates it doesn't mean that goals will be reached. Keep the amount of employers under 50 and amount of attendees under 500 to get better results. The experience will be more valuable all around.

My Rant About Weddings

I have said time and time again that I do not plan weddings because there is WAYYYY too much drama! If you were to analyze my personality and emotions without knowing me...you would think I was a man. I become annoyed quickly with the over dramatic emotions women can display unnecessarily. It's such a waste of time and energy. Over the last two years I have been consistently attending weddings for friends, family, strangers, friends of friends, etc. Each time it seems like the bride is all stressed out instead of enjoying what is supposed to be the happiest day of her life. 

I keep hearing about how the family wants to take over, especially mothers and mother-in-laws. I do not understand why this happens so often. Didn't they already have their day? Why are they so overbearing with their opinions? Is it because their mothers did it to them, so they don't feel like they got the wedding they wanted? Is it simply because they're paying the bill? I truly do not understand this ridiculousness.

Weddings have been happening for centuries yet we still can't seem to get it right. The focus should be on the commitment that is being made by two people who truly love each other. Instead, people get offended and sometimes hold grudges for years because of incidents revolving around the wedding. LET IT GO and pay attention to what is really happening. I truly believe that the honeymoon is for couple, so they can get away from their family and spend some time living drama free!

Ahhh...I feel better now.

Always Seek Out a Better Deal

Event planners who plan similar events over and over sometimes stick with the same vendors because there is a loyal relationship. Every so often you should really look at the cost of that relationship. Get quotes from other vendors to see if they can offer you a better deal. If you really want to keep your original relationship, but find a better deal somewhere else, let your vendor know that they need to be competitive to keep you as a customer. Status quo is unacceptable and hard on your budget!

Recently, I had to order 20 tables for a career fair and my company has always ordered tables from the same party rental vendor. I looked at the previous bill and didn't understand why it seemed so expensive. Apparently, this vendor charges a $100 fee for the delivery person to bring the tables upstairs, even using an elevator. After calling two party rental companies I discovered that one of them did not charge extra to bring the tables upstairs as long as there was an elevator. The other company said that there was a charge of $.75 cents each way per table, meaning an extra $1.50 per table. Which is still dramatically cheaper than $100!

I decided to go with the company that charges $1.50 per table because the cost of each table was less expensive than the other two vendors and I got 10% off the total order for being a new customer. At the end of the day, the quote they sent me was the most affordable and I ended up saving my company $150. I am taking a risk because I've never worked with them before, but they have been amazing so far. I have the feeling that I've developed a beneficial new relationship that will continue to save the company money.