Beyond the Podium: Recapturing the Invisible College
I am writing this on my way home from the AIIP 2024 Symposium, held in St. Louis April 18-21. The conference sessions, including thought-provoking keynotes and local and AIIP speakers, offered fresh insights and new perspectives – even for someone like me who has attended 30+ AIIP annual conferences. I was particularly impressed with new tools available to incorporate virtual attendees into our in-person events; for example, Meeting Owl 3 was freakishly good at identifying and pointing its camera at the person speaking in the room.
That said, as always, the true magic happens in the spaces between the sessions – in the hallways, during the coffee breaks, sitting down for lunch with someone you don’t know. These casual interactions are the beating heart of a conference, fostering a collaborative spirit akin to the historic “invisible colleges” of the 17th century.
The invisible colleges were informal gatherings of scholars who defied the limitations of their time to exchange revolutionary scientific ideas. Similarly, in-person conferences like the AIIP Symposium create a dynamic environment where attendees shed the formality of attending a presentation and can delve deeper into a presenter’s ideas. I can chat with someone about a session they had attended earlier and come away with a new perspective on the speaker’s message. I can get to know a new AIIP member over a glass of wine and discover how our skill sets could supplement each other’s.
Virtual conferences offer a convenient way to access information, but they lack the crucial element of serendipity. While online platforms can facilitate networking events, they can’t replicate the spark that ignites during a hallway conversation or a shared laugh over coffee. The chance to overhear a conversation about a niche research area that leads to a new idea, or bump into a colleague who is looking to brainstorm about a new marketing approach, are opportunities unique to the in-person experience.
While virtual elements can’t replace in-person connections, technology can amplify the conference impact. Social media platforms allow attendees to connect before, during, and after the event, fostering ongoing dialogues and collaborations. Shared documents and notes become platforms for further exploration of ideas arising in those hallway discussions. The Menti survey (on Mentimeter.com), for example, was used effectively at the AIIP Symposium. It captured ideas, comments, and feedback from in-person and virtual attendees seamlessly, offering the best virtual equivalent I’ve seen to the classic “Post-its-on-a-wall” brainstorming technique. These digital footprints extend the lifespan of the invisible college beyond the confines of the conference.
In a world increasingly reliant on virtual interaction, in-person conferences offer an invaluable opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, generate new ideas, and reignite the spirit of collaboration. How to take advantage of that? Identify the in-person conferences that your clients and prospects are likely to attend and build into your budget the cost to attend at least one of those conferences every year.
Even (or especially!) for us introverts, these events push us to move outside our comfort zone, attend sessions on topics outside our expertise, strike up conversations with strangers, and engage in networking events. We become active participants in the modern-day invisible college each time we venture out into “meatspace” and spend time in person with colleagues and prospective clients.
I hope to see you at an in-person event soon!
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Mary Ellen Bates has been an infopreneur since 1991. In addition to her business analysis services, she offers free strategic coaching to new and long-time solopreneurs. See more at Reluctant-Entrepreneur.com or contact her at mbates@batesinfo.com or +1 303 772 7095.
