The Wildly Outstanding Benefits of Hands on Training & Interaction

May 4, 2017

Bill McGlade

With more than a dozen years of experience in the event industry, Bill McGlade is a thought leader seeking to provide provoking conversations that push the envelope and the industry forward. He is founder and CEO of Victory Productions.

 

“Video Killed the Radio Star,” by The Buggles rang through my ears as I sat and pondered the future of this dynamic industry we work in – the Events Industry. All of us who are truly ingrained in it bring our own unique perspectives to this enigmatic topic. But most, I think, will agree with me when I say that our great industry will not “go gentle into that good night.” No matter what tests potential challengers – be it second screen distractions or virtual reality – pose, face-to-face interactions will always have more value than what any digital means can provide.

Let’s focus on just one particular aspect of face-to-face events: training. Webinars, videos, virtual calls, LMS systems, et al - a slew of technologies out there can help in training whomever, wherever and whenever. These are all fantastic, but I see these as aids to, and not replacements for, hands-on and personalized face-to-face training.

This is not me knocking technology. Technology has a major and important role to play in the future of learning, but to truly learn, absorb and retain new techniques and processes, in-person interactions are still the best.

What are the outstanding benefits of onsite training?

1.     The personal connections made between individuals. How many times on a video or group call do you find yourself interrupting someone only to go back and forth to decide who should speak next? Or not speaking up at all because you are not in the room? Fairly common, right? At in-person trainings, this issue is almost nonexistent. The latter creates stronger connections because the conversations can evolve and become more personalized. In such environments, people learn not just what they came to learn in the first place, but also a lot more that they did not know was out there to be learned. The trust engendered by being in the company of peers who have faced similar challenges and are willing to share their experiences also helps to create a more close-knit, trustworthy community and the ideas thus generated contribute to the growth of the entire ecosystem.

2.     Genuine emotions and reactions are easier to express and read at face-to-face trainings. It is difficult to identify emotions such as fear, hesitancy or confusion while reading text messages or just listening to a person’s voice. It is much more difficult to misread body language and facial expressions when you are in the same physical space as the other person. We are human and emotions come as a part of the package. There are numerous studies that tie emotions to better memories especially within a physical environment. It is our very emotions that help instructors understand the current mood and adapt to an individual or group’s learning style.

3.     Peer acknowledgement of your processes and theirs. In-person meetings are an incredible way to coordinate and collaborate with other professionals because it’s easier to figure out the best way to present your work and seek feedback on it. This is one of the most important aspects of hands-on training at user groups and workshops. It cements the distinctiveness of your perception while validating your current processes. There is no better way to perform checks and balances than in person with a group of your peers working and learning with the same system.

Two cheers for technology giving us the ability to make our work more efficient and effective. Three cheers for human intelligence for giving us the ability to think critically and strategically about our own internal processes!

This is our industry. This is the wonder of it all, within the event industry, the community, the collaboration, and the feeling of completeness we all feel once we have had the backing and support of our peers. That is the true effect and wildly outstanding benefit of in-person, hands-on training. 

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact