In January 2011, PCMA, Freeman and Velvet Chainsaw Consulting unveiled the innovative Learning Lounge experience, receiving rave reviews. Hear what was done for 2012 to improve on that success of the content and programming, how it came together, and lessons learned for the future. See how you can incorporate this Learning Lounge concept and explore how you too can design informal customized learning experiences at your conference. adult education,conference education,conferences,customized learning,informal learning,learning,learning lounge,pcma

1. Create Customized
Learning Experiences

2. 2
DL

3. 3

4. 4

5. reasons people attend
conferences
5

6. Education
Networking
Business leads
6

7. Content
Community
Careers
7

8. 8

9. 9

10. Learning is that which enables you to participate
successfully in life, at work, and in the groups
that matter to you. ~ Jay Cross
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11. Informal learning
is the unofficial,
unscheduled,
impromptu way
people learn to
do their jobs.
~ Jay Cross
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12. Formal Learning
Conference organizers decide where
bus going, attendees along for ride.
(Good for newbies, bad for veterans)
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13. Informal Learning
Riders choose destination,
speed, route & decide if
they want to take detours
or help others.
(Best for veterans &
experienced professionals)
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14. Apple Stores
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15. A. Community
B. All welcome
C. Guru Bar
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16. D. Short How To Classes
E. Designed around experiences, not
space
F. Space and experience intertwined
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17. G. Designed to solve problems &
interests
H. Sales clerks are there to help, not
push products
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18. PCMA Learning Lounge 2011 & 2012
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19. 2011
4 Theaters w/ 15 min TED – style presentations
2 Social Media Theaters
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20. 2011
Livestreaming Studio
Genius Bar
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21. 2011
Supplier Showdown
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22. 2012
• Two Big Idea Theaters
• iPad & BYOD
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23. 2012
• Really Live Chat Rooms
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24. 2012 – iPad & BYOD Theater
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25. 2012 – iPad Theater
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26. 2012 – iPad Theater
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27. 2012 - BYOD Theater
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28. Content :
1.Themed - attendee’s problems
2. Help attendees be strategic
3. Discussed C-suite org problems
4. Solution-oriented
5. Tactical
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29. Speakers
1. Outside
industry
2. Experts
3. Large social
networks
4. Authors
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30. How Other Associations Have Used It
• AAO • MDRT
• NSA • NCCBH
• CoreNet Global
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31. 31

32. Really Live Chat Rooms
• Authors • Edited with Camtasia
• Skype Recorded Vids • Facilitated chats
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33. Marsha
Conner
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34. What Worked In Apple Stores
What Worked
A. Community
B. All welcome
C. Genius Bar
D. How To Classes
E. Designed Around Experiences
F. Designed to Solve Problems
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35. What Worked In Apple Stores
What Worked
Learning Lounge
A. Community
B. All welcome
C. Genius Bar
D. How To Classes
E. Designed Around Experiences
F. Designed to Solve Problems
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36. What Worked
A. Identifying the audience
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37. Identifying the audience
Targeting content to attract
• Decision makers
• Economic buyers
• Ability to solve problems at C-suite
• Armed planners w/ strategic solutions
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38. Your Turn
A. Identifying your top three audience markets
Who are they?
• Decision makers
• Economic buyers
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39. What Worked
Identifying the audience
Thought leadership
New speakers
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40. What Worked
Themed content Facilitated discussions
iPad /BYOD Fostered Networking &
Open Times Story sharing
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41. What didn’t work/needs changing?
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42. What didn’t work/needs changing?
Location Communication
Promotion
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43. What pieces of the Learning Lounge
experience can you use at your
conference?
43

45. Images by:
• AlexKess • KatBPhotography • Lightplay
• Images History • ezioman • ant.photos
• Larskflem • BRosen • Biscarotte
• Stuck In Customs • X-Ray Delta One • See-ming Lee
• dankos-unlmtd • Kamal H. • Unhindered by
• Troy Holden • like, totally Talent
• Garry - • Paolo Margari • ansik
visionandimaginatio • Laughing Squid • JKonig
n.com • Beer Bergman • RDECOM
• NuageDeNuit • Bobbigmac • Pink Sherbet
• an untrained eye • Betchaboy • MarcelGraham
• 3ammo • Tonivc • NeroVivo
• josef.stuefer • Gulfu

46. Contact Information
Jeff Hurt
Director, Education & Engagement
(214) 941-4330
JHurt@VelvetChainsaw.com
Dave Lutz
Managing Director
(330) 474-1047
DLutz@VelvetChainsaw.com
VelvetChainsaw.com