The National Conference Center released their spring 2012 white paper, "Technology's Secret Potential to Empower Participants and Make Meetings Better." In interviews with Susan Abrams of IML Worldwide, technology expert Corbin Ball, and David Adler, CEO of BizBash, the white paper explores how planners and trainers globally have implemented new technology into their programs to increase audience engagement.

According to Sarah Vining, marketing manager at The National Conference Center, in new audience response systems with open-ended polling and text messaging, results have included gathering common company themes/concerns through candid responses, increased employee morale at the meeting, increased participation, and the ability for attendees to leave the session with actionable intelligence. On average, only 5% of attendees are willing to stand up and ask a question.

As revealed in the white paper, this new technology demonstrates its potential to gather valuable feedback and give shy attendees a voice in the meeting space.

To summarize our research, the white paper reveals that technology can help to drive strategy in several ways:

  1. Technology helps planners and trainers gather a wealth of knowledge
  2. Actionable intelligence can create a more profitable company
  3. Technology can improve em­ployee morale

The entire white paper is available at: http://bit.ly/TechnologyWP

About The National Conference Center

Located on its own 65-acre campus in Northern Virginia, 12 miles from Dulles International Airport and 35 miles from Washington D.C., The National Conference Center is one of the largest and most comprehensive learning and training facilities in the nation. Referred to as “the cathedral of learning,” the 1 million square foot complex offers 917 guest rooms and 265,000 square feet of meeting and group function space. The National is on the U.S. Government GSA schedule and recently received the coveted “Hotel of the Year of the Year” award from the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association. @TheNationalNoVa Facebook LinkedIn

The National Conference Center complex includes the West Belmont Place Event Center, a catering complex that includes Northern Virginia’s largest ballroom (16,552 square feet). The hub for Loudoun County and surrounding area social and special events, West Belmont Place was named “Best Venue” by the International Special Events Society. @WestBelmont Facebook Instagram

The National Conference Center is owned by NCC PS Enterprises LLC, a venture between PCCP LLC and Stoneleigh Capital LLC, which retained LaKota Hotels & Resorts to oversee all aspects of the day-to-day operations. For information call 800-640-2684 or visit www.conferencecenter.com and www.westbelmontplace.com.

James M. Mahon
The National Conference Center (NCC)