Your members are your most valuable assets, and one of the principal ways you provide value to them is through your association meetings. But, increasingly, attendees are expecting to have a voice in what happens at your events. Participant-driven meeting formats like Open Space, Conferences That Work, unconferences, barcamps, and World Café are becoming popular models for conferences. In this interactive session you’ll learn why attendee-driven meetings are key to maintaining interest and involvement in association events, and what you need to know to begin to implement this innovative approach for your membership.

1. Participant-
driven
association
meetings—
what you
need to
know and
why.

2. Feel free to interrupt me.
(Really!)

4. Let’s find outhas
Who here about your
events.
experienced a

6. Participant-driven
events
• BarCamps
• Conferences That Work
• Open Space Technology
• Unconferences
• World Café

7. Who’s experienced a
participant-driven

8. The
Why &
What
of
participant-driven
events.

10. What are the two most
common reasons for

11. ≠ Learning

12. ≠ Learning

15. Imagine that this conference was perfect
for you.
What would it be like?
How would it be different from what has been
scheduled?
What topics/opportunities are missing?
What's being offered that you're not especially
interested in?

16. Why?
• Give attendees things they can’t
get unless they’re physically
present.
• Active learning improves
retention.
• Engagement builds community.
• Embrace uncertainty.

20. Ground
Rules

21. Ground Rules

22. Ground Rules
The Four Freedoms

23. Ground Rules
The Four Freedoms
You have the freedom to talk about the way
you see things, rather than the way others
want you to see.

24. Ground Rules
The Four Freedoms
You have the freedom to talk about the way
you see things, rather than the way others
want you to see.
You have the freedom to ask about anything
puzzling.

25. Ground Rules
The Four Freedoms
You have the freedom to talk about the way
you see things, rather than the way others
want you to see.
You have the freedom to ask about anything
puzzling.
You have the freedom to talk about whatever
is coming up for you.

26. Ground Rules
The Four Freedoms
You have the freedom to talk about the way
you see things, rather than the way others
want you to see.
You have the freedom to ask about anything
puzzling.
You have the freedom to talk about whatever
is coming up for you.
You have the freedom to say that you don’t
really feel you have one or more of the
preceding three freedoms.

27. Ground Rules
The Four Freedoms
You have the freedom to talk about the way
you see things, rather than the way others
want you to see.
You have the freedom to ask about anything
puzzling.
You have the freedom to talk about whatever
is coming up for you.
You have the freedom to say that you don’t
really feel you have one or more of the
preceding three freedoms.

28. Ground Rules
The Four Freedoms
You have the freedom to talk about the way
you see things, rather than the way others
want you to see.
You have the freedom to ask about anything
puzzling.
You have the freedom to talk about whatever
is coming up for you.
You have the freedom to say that you don’t
really feel you have one or more of the
preceding three freedoms.
What we discuss here will remain confidential.

29. Roundtable questions
How did I get here?
What would I like to have happen?
What experience or expertise do I have that others may find useful?

32. Personal introspective questions
What do I want to have happen?
What is the current situation?
What am I willing to do?
How will I know when it happens?
Where and how will I get support?

35. Questions &
Discussion
Thanks for Creative Commons
licensed content from flickr
users africacommonsproject,
emagic, nolifebeforecoffee,
plakboek, and technotheory!
YouTube video by
melandmike98. All other images
by Adrian Segar.
For more information:
web:
www.conferencesthatwork.com
twitter: @ASegar
email: adrian@segar.com