Chapter Meeting Impressions Do Count
By Russ Finney
1999 Austin Chapter President
September 1999
I remember the first time I attended an AITP meeting in Houston. It was held at the Houston Engineering and Scientific Society Building which was located downtown. This was a place where the powerful Texas oil company executives met from time to time. It was a beautiful facility, and I felt fortunate to have a professional purpose for actually being there. I joined AITP that night, and I didn't miss a meeting for months.
I would not have felt the same way if the meeting had been held in the back room of Denny's on I-45 ...
Run a Class Act
As we continue to make our chapters the centerpieces of our local IT communities, we all need to take a hard look at our respective meeting environments. Is your meeting hosted at a professional level facility? Do you follow a schedule? Is the food high quality? Does your membership look forward to returning month after month?
Since AITP is in full control of each chapter's local Board of Directors, each chapter can run the show as up scale as they want. However, from a national perspective, we should all be striving for a high quality experience in every city. Your meeting facility selection, as well as the meeting agenda, does impact the audience you will draw. Make it a class act, and you will draw the best from your local community.
A Checklist for Success
Many of our chapters are already comfortably settled into great facilities which draw big turn outs. But other chapters are currently in "revitalization" mode. Now may be a good time to rethink your meeting location, and send out a few members to scout for these items:
1. Location, Location, Location
Is your meeting location convenient for large portion of your target audience? In most cases a centrally located hotel, club, or restaurant is preferable. Free parking also helps.
2. Professional Atmosphere
Does the facility cater to business professionals? Since we represent the top vendors, professionals, consultants, and educators in our respective cities, we should be meeting in facilities which reflect the professional purpose of our gatherings.
3. High Quality Food
Whether you meet for lunch or dinner, make sure that a great meal is being served. Cost is a factor here, but don't get too cheap. Bad meals will reduce meeting attendance dramatically.
4. Follow a Crisp Schedule
The execution of every meeting impacts people's decisions regarding a return visit. Make sure that you announce, and then follow, your meeting schedule. A well run meeting reflects on the chapter's level of professionalism.
5. Time for Networking
Make sure that you build in time either before or after the meeting for people to network. A big part of community building is creating a good environment for conversation. Is you chapter meeting this important need?
AITP's monthly activities revolve around our meeting facilities. You owe
it to your local chapter to make the right choices in creating your
monthly chapter environment.
Please share your thoughts and comments regarding this feature. You can do so by posting to our AITP Members Forum or by writing me at webadmin@itmweb.com.
Copyright © 1999, Russ Finney, All Rights Reserved. Originally written for The Information Executive.
