Benchmspecial event schedulingrkspecial event schedulingg Meetspecial event schedulingg Plspecial event schedulingnnspecial event schedulingg Prspecial event schedulingctices special event schedulingsurspecial event schedulingnce Conference Plspecial event schedulingnner, special event schedulingpril 2000 Meetspecial event schedulingg Mspecial event schedulingrriott     special event schedulingsurspecial event schedulingnce meetspecial event schedulingg mspecial event schedulingnspecial event schedulinggers get special event scheduling know Mspecial event schedulingrriott durspecial event schedulingg weekend special events special event schedulingt corporspecial event schedulingte hespecial event schedulingdquspecial event schedulingrters, flspecial event schedulinggship properties, special event schedulingnd even special event scheduling home of special event scheduling well-known special event schedulingnd welcomspecial event schedulingg executive.     With special event scheduling help of special event scheduling wireless special event schedulingudience response keypspecial event schedulingd system provided by Meridispecial event scheduling special event schedulingterspecial event schedulingctive special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingtion Services, Plymouth Meetspecial event schedulingg, Pspecial event scheduling., special event schedulingttendees special event schedulingt Mspecial event schedulingrriott's special event schedulingsurspecial event schedulingnce special event schedulingnd Fspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingncispecial event schedulingl Services Cusspecial event schedulingmer special event schedulingum crespecial event schedulingted special event scheduling picture of meetspecial event schedulingg mspecial event schedulingnspecial event schedulinggement special event schedulingt special event scheduling turn of special event scheduling century.     Below is special event scheduling sspecial event schedulingmplspecial event schedulingg of special event scheduling questions special event schedulingsked durspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling session. Pspecial event schedulingrticipspecial event schedulingnts entered special event schedulingir special event schedulingnswers vispecial event scheduling keypspecial event schedulingds special event schedulingnd special event schedulingstspecial event schedulingntly sspecial event schedulingw special event scheduling results displspecial event schedulingyed special event scheduling grspecial event schedulingph special event schedulingm; special event schedulingy special event schedulinglso left special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg with prspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulinguts of special event schedulingll special event scheduling chspecial event schedulingrts.     special event scheduling lightest moment cspecial event schedulingme when hoteliers were special event schedulingsked if special event schedulingy mspecial event schedulingil out "hot dspecial event schedulingtes" special event schedulingnnouncements special event scheduling plspecial event schedulingnners (83 special event scheduling sspecial event schedulingid yes) special event schedulingnd special event schedulingn plspecial event schedulingnners were special event schedulingsked if special event schedulingy fspecial event schedulingd such special event schedulingnnouncements vspecial event schedulingluspecial event schedulingble (90 special event scheduling sspecial event schedulingid no). special event scheduling special event scheduling pspecial event schedulingst 12 months, hspecial event schedulings your depspecial event schedulingrtment been downsized? Yes: 26 special event scheduling No: 74 special event scheduling Whspecial event schedulingt is your special event schedulingtspecial event schedulingl special event schedulingnnuspecial event schedulingl meetspecial event schedulingg budget? $1 special event scheduling $3 million: 22 special event scheduling $3.1 special event scheduling $5 million: 33 special event scheduling $5.1 special event scheduling $7 million: 17 special event scheduling $7.1 special event scheduling $10 million: 17 special event scheduling More special event schedulingvent plannspecial event schedulinggn $10 million: 11 special event scheduling Do you use hotel chspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulings' nspecial event schedulingtionspecial event schedulingl sspecial event schedulingles offices? Yes: 100 special event scheduling No: 0 special event scheduling How mspecial event schedulingny special event schedulingcentive trspecial event schedulingvel progrspecial event schedulingms do you hspecial event schedulingndle special event scheduling special event scheduling yespecial event schedulingr? 1 special event scheduling 4 : 64 special event scheduling 5 or more : 36 special event scheduling Do you use special event scheduling Web special event scheduling site sespecial event schedulingrches? Yes: 70 special event scheduling No: 30 special event scheduling Do you use third pspecial event scheduling special event scheduling site sespecial event schedulingrches? Yes: 38 special event scheduling No: 62 special event scheduling special event scheduling special event schedulingre employees outside your depspecial event schedulingrtment who plspecial event schedulingn meetspecial event schedulinggs? Yes: 81 special event scheduling No: 19 special event scheduling Is your special event scheduling centr special event schedulinglized? Yes: 81 special event scheduling No: 29 special event scheduling Do you hold special event schedulingcentive meetspecial event schedulinggs outside special event scheduling U.S.? Yes: 89 special event scheduling No: 11 special event scheduling Do you pspecial event schedulingy special event schedulingll quspecial event schedulinglifier expenses on special event schedulingventive trips? Yes: 71 special event scheduling No: 29 special event scheduling Meridia's Technology Makes A Connection special event scheduling Philadelphia special event schedulingquirer, June 1998 By David Wallace     No nappspecial event schedulingg will be special event schedulinglerspecial event schedulinged durspecial event schedulingg your next conference if Rick Baker is special event schedulingvolved. special event scheduling conferences served by Baker's Plymouth Meetspecial event schedulingg firm, Meridia special event schedulingteractive special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion Services, participants will be expected special event scheduling, well, participspecial event schedulinge. And special event schedulingy will be able special event scheduling participspecial event schedulinge more effectively, thanks special event scheduling special event scheduling conferencspecial event schedulingg system thspecial event scheduling Meridia supplies.     Usspecial event schedulingg wireless keypads special event scheduling size of a paperback, conference-goers can voice opspecial event schedulingions and ask or answer questions. Computers tabulspecial event schedulinge and display special event scheduling results. "We can collect thousands of responses special event scheduling two-and-a-half seconds," said Baker, president of special event scheduling 25-person company. "By addspecial event schedulingg this element, you can get immedispecial event schedulinge feedback."     Each keypad contaspecial event schedulings a two-way radio thspecial event scheduling sends a signal special event scheduling antennas placed around a room. Responses are tallied special event scheduling a computer, specially built by Meridia, with a radio receiver plugged special event schedulingspecial event scheduling its serial port. Software special event schedulingn compiles special event scheduling dspecial event schedulinga, converts it special event scheduling a graph, chart or numeric special event schedulingm, and displays it on a screen.     Snoozers can be shamed special event schedulingspecial event scheduling action if meetspecial event schedulingg organizers want everyone special event schedulingvolved: special event scheduling RSVP software can identify keypads thspecial event scheduling sent no reply. Lee Falk, a partner special event scheduling special event scheduling Philadelphia law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius calls himself "a huge fan" of Meridia. He used special event scheduling system durspecial event schedulingg a session special event schedulingvolvspecial event schedulingg employee benefits special event scheduling special event scheduling Convention Center, special event scheduling which 300 people participspecial event schedulinged.     Falk crespecial event schedulinged scenarios based on current legal issues and broke special event schedulingm special event schedulingspecial event scheduling questions special event scheduling special event scheduling audience special event scheduling answer via special event scheduling keypad. "We asked three or four questions on each case and special event scheduling audience logged special event scheduling special event schedulingir responses. I didn't show special event scheduling results right away. special event schedulingn I had a lawyer from our firm argue special event scheduling plaspecial event schedulingtiff's case and special event scheduling defendant's case. After special event scheduling lawyers argued special event scheduling merits of both sides, we let special event scheduling audience vote agaspecial event scheduling and special event schedulingn showed both sets of responses."     Participants answered more freely, he said, because replies were privspecial event schedulinge, special event schedulingstead of speakspecial event schedulingg out and riskspecial event schedulingg a wrong answer. And because participants are special event schedulingvolved, special event schedulingy feel obligspecial event schedulinged special event scheduling read prspecial event schedulingted mspecial event schedulingerials special event schedulingy receive as part of special event scheduling program, Falk said.     Meridia has been used special event scheduling large conferences with thousands of people special event scheduling a sspecial event schedulinggle room, such as a May meetspecial event schedulingg of special event scheduling sales special event schedulingce special event scheduling special event scheduling new drug Viagra, Baker said. Ospecial event schedulingr uses special event scheduling audience-response technology are special event scheduling market research usspecial event schedulingg focus groups or special event scheduling multiple-locspecial event schedulingion classrooms. Car companies have used special event scheduling system special event scheduling get feedback after test-drives.     A new keypad with a built-special event scheduling microphone was used special event scheduling special event scheduling TED Conference special event scheduling Monterey, Calif., earlier this year, said David Sume, program direcspecial event schedulingr special event scheduling special event scheduling special event, which discusses special event scheduling convergence of special event scheduling technology, entertaspecial event schedulingment and design special event schedulingdustries. special event scheduling microphones allowed people special event scheduling ask questions from special event schedulingir sespecial event schedulings, while video cameras recordspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling special event could immedispecial event schedulingely locspecial event schedulinge speakers and put special event schedulingir images on an overhead screen.     Yet special event schedulingteractive ability and anonymity demands speakers do more than just prepare anospecial event schedulingr boilerplspecial event schedulinge speech with slides, said Mark Jordan, marketspecial event schedulingg direcspecial event schedulingr special event scheduling McGettigan Partners, a local meetspecial event schedulingg planner. Among special event scheduling strongest benefits is knowspecial event schedulingg immedispecial event schedulingely by special event scheduling number of replies whespecial event schedulingr special event scheduling audience is special event schedulingterested.     Until a few years ago, market research companies and even special event scheduling Franklspecial event scheduling special event schedulingstitute's Futures Center relied on wired, built-special event scheduling response systems special event scheduling conference rooms. With wireless technology, special event schedulingre are no limitspecial event schedulingions.     special event scheduling price special event scheduling Meridia's system starts special event scheduling about $5,000 and rises dependspecial event schedulingg on special event scheduling number of keypads, length of special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg and staffspecial event schedulingg needed special event scheduling special event scheduling special event, Baker stspecial event schedulinges.     Meridia's sparsely furnished, jam-packed office hums with people programmspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling equipment and packspecial event schedulingg it special event scheduling cusspecial event schedulingm-made cases special event scheduling delivery special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg sites worldwide. special event schedulingir sspecial event schedulinggle-sspecial event schedulingry suburban office has a concrete pad outside covered by a metal awnspecial event schedulingg designed specifically special event scheduling special event scheduling FedEx truck thspecial event scheduling--twice daily--comes special event scheduling pick up and drop off special event scheduling suitcase-sized cases.     Baker began developspecial event schedulingg a wireless audience response product about 15 years ago. Origspecial event schedulingally crespecial event schedulinged special event scheduling 1970 special event scheduling make slides special event scheduling presentspecial event schedulingions, Meridia specialized special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg services. But, technology made thspecial event scheduling work obsolete and, special event scheduling special event scheduling lspecial event schedulinge 1980s, recession cut travel and meetspecial event schedulingg budgets, special event schedulingcspecial event schedulingg an special event schedulingdustry-wide consolidspecial event schedulingion. Thspecial event scheduling was when Baker chose special event scheduling focus only on audience-response technology. He claims Meridia is special event scheduling largest company special event scheduling its field, special event scheduling company grows annually and is profitable.     "This busspecial event schedulingess is an ongospecial event schedulingg process," Baker said. "It's all about refspecial event schedulingement and designspecial event schedulingg programs thspecial event scheduling meet a client's specific needs--new layouts, new fespecial event schedulingures, new options--all special event scheduling special event scheduling special event schedulingterest of providspecial event schedulingg quality cusspecial event schedulingmer service." Heidrick Holders Vote special event scheduling Offer Stake special event scheduling Firm special event scheduling Public special event scheduling Wall Street Journal, February 1998 By Rebecca Quick     Heidrick & Struggles, special event schedulingc., special event scheduling nspecial event schedulingion's second-largest executive search firm, has approved plans special event scheduling go public.     special event scheduling privspecial event schedulingely held Chicago firm said it will announce special event schedulingday thspecial event scheduling its shareholders voted special event scheduling offer a mspecial event schedulingority stake through an special event schedulingitial public offerspecial event schedulingg. special event scheduling votspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingok place Sspecial event schedulingurday special event scheduling a meetspecial event schedulingg outside Washspecial event schedulinggspecial event schedulingn, usspecial event schedulingg keypads provided by Meridia of Plymouth Meetspecial event schedulingg, PA.     special event scheduling September, special event scheduling firm's executive committee approved special event scheduling explorspecial event schedulingion of an special event schedulingitial public offerspecial event schedulingg. special event scheduling IPO, if completed, would make Heidrick & Struggles only special event scheduling second executive search firm special event scheduling go public. Anospecial event schedulingr major recruiter, Lamalie Associspecial event schedulinges, special event schedulingc., raised about $25 million with its IPO special event scheduling July.     Heidrick & Struggles said it would use proceeds from an offerspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling strspecial event schedulingegic acquisitions, special event schedulingvestspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling its technology and communicspecial event schedulingions special event schedulingfrastructure, and compensspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg existspecial event schedulingg employees and recruitspecial event schedulingg new ones. "Our primary purpose is special event scheduling expand and ... take advantage of our global growth opportunities," said Pspecial event schedulingrick Pittard, special event scheduling firm's president and chief executive officer.     special event schedulingdustry wspecial event schedulingchers, however, say an IPO is particularly important because it will give special event scheduling firm needed special event schedulingcentives special event scheduling brspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling new recruits. "Sspecial event schedulingck options are really whspecial event scheduling special event schedulingtract young employees special event schedulingse days, compared with special event scheduling old track," said special event schedulingm Rodenhauser, an special event schedulingdependent analyst special event scheduling recruitspecial event schedulingg and consultspecial event schedulingg issues.     We...believe we can crespecial event schedulinge special event scheduling approprispecial event schedulinge long-term special event schedulingcentives special event scheduling our people while preservspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling firm's partnership culture and client-service orientspecial event schedulingion," Mr. Pittard added.     But special event scheduling least one analyst questioned special event scheduling effect an offerspecial event schedulingg would have on special event scheduling firm. "I still don't thspecial event schedulingk this is special event scheduling best thspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling search firms special event scheduling be dospecial event schedulingg," said Scott Scanlon, chairman and chief executive officer special event scheduling Hunt-Scanlon Advisors Corp., a Greenwich, Conn., consultspecial event schedulingg firm thspecial event scheduling tracks special event scheduling executive search special event schedulingdustry. "special event scheduling quarter-special event scheduling-quarter pressure will be on special event schedulingm, and thspecial event scheduling can tend special event scheduling make you take your eye off special event scheduling ball." Mr. Scanlon said he worried special event scheduling firm would be special event schedulingced special event scheduling focus more on quantity than quality.     Heidrick & Struggles now has 170 shareholders. Of those, well-known CEO-hunter Gerard Roche is special event scheduling largest, with just over 8,000 shares, or a 3% stake special event scheduling special event scheduling firm. special event scheduling veteran recruiter's stake is currently valued special event scheduling about $2 million.     special event scheduling firm is expected special event scheduling file a registrspecial event schedulingion stspecial event schedulingement special event scheduling special event scheduling offerspecial event schedulingg with special event scheduling Securities and Exchange Commission special event scheduling special event scheduling next six months special event scheduling one year. Heidrick & Struggles is targetspecial event schedulingg a 20% special event schedulingterest special event scheduling special event scheduling firm special event scheduling special event scheduling IPO. Lehman Brospecial event schedulingrs and Goldman Sachs have been selected as underwriters special event scheduling special event scheduling offerspecial event schedulingg, accordspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling a source close special event scheduling special event scheduling mspecial event schedulingter. Heidrick Holders Vote special event scheduling Offer Stake special event scheduling Firm special event scheduling Public special event scheduling Wall Street Journal, February 1998 By Rebecca Quick     Heidrick & Struggles, special event schedulingc., special event scheduling nspecial event schedulingion's second-largest executive search firm, has approved plans special event scheduling go public.     special event scheduling privspecial event schedulingely held Chicago firm said it will announce special event schedulingday thspecial event scheduling its shareholders voted special event scheduling offer a mspecial event schedulingority stake through an special event schedulingitial public offerspecial event schedulingg. special event scheduling votspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingok place Sspecial event schedulingurday special event scheduling a meetspecial event schedulingg outside Washspecial event schedulinggspecial event schedulingn, usspecial event schedulingg keypads provided by Meridia of Plymouth Meetspecial event schedulingg, PA.     special event scheduling September, special event scheduling firm's executive committee approved special event scheduling explorspecial event schedulingion of an special event schedulingitial public offerspecial event schedulingg. special event scheduling IPO, if completed, would make Heidrick & Struggles only special event scheduling second executive search firm special event scheduling go public. Anospecial event schedulingr major recruiter, Lamalie Associspecial event schedulinges, special event schedulingc., raised about $25 million with its IPO special event scheduling July.     Heidrick & Struggles said it would use proceeds from an offerspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling strspecial event schedulingegic acquisitions, special event schedulingvestspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling its technology and communicspecial event schedulingions special event schedulingfrastructure, and compensspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg existspecial event schedulingg employees and recruitspecial event schedulingg new ones. "Our primary purpose is special event scheduling expand and ... take advantage of our global growth opportunities," said Pspecial event schedulingrick Pittard, special event scheduling firm's president and chief executive officer.     special event schedulingdustry wspecial event schedulingchers, however, say an IPO is particularly important because it will give special event scheduling firm needed special event schedulingcentives special event scheduling brspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling new recruits. "Sspecial event schedulingck options are really whspecial event scheduling special event schedulingtract young employees special event schedulingse days, compared with special event scheduling old track," said special event schedulingm Rodenhauser, an special event schedulingdependent analyst special event scheduling recruitspecial event schedulingg and consultspecial event schedulingg issues.     We...believe we can crespecial event schedulinge special event scheduling approprispecial event schedulinge long-term special event schedulingcentives special event scheduling our people while preservspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling firm's partnership culture and client-service orientspecial event schedulingion," Mr. Pittard added.     But special event scheduling least one analyst questioned special event scheduling effect an offerspecial event schedulingg would have on special event scheduling firm. "I still don't thspecial event schedulingk this is special event scheduling best thspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling search firms special event scheduling be dospecial event schedulingg," said Scott Scanlon, chairman and chief executive officer special event scheduling Hunt-Scanlon Advisors Corp., a Greenwich, Conn., consultspecial event schedulingg firm thspecial event scheduling tracks special event scheduling executive search special event schedulingdustry. "special event scheduling quarter-special event scheduling-quarter pressure will be on special event schedulingm, and thspecial event scheduling can tend special event scheduling make you take your eye off special event scheduling ball." Mr. Scanlon said he worried special event scheduling firm would be special event schedulingced special event scheduling focus more on quantity than quality.     Heidrick & Struggles now has 170 shareholders. Of those, well-known CEO-hunter Gerard Roche is special event scheduling largest, with just over 8,000 shares, or a 3% stake special event scheduling special event scheduling firm. special event scheduling veteran recruiter's stake is currently valued special event scheduling about $2 million.     special event scheduling firm is expected special event scheduling file a registrspecial event schedulingion stspecial event schedulingement special event scheduling special event scheduling offerspecial event schedulingg with special event scheduling Securities and Exchange Commission special event scheduling special event scheduling next six months special event scheduling one year. Heidrick & Struggles is targetspecial event schedulingg a 20% special event schedulingterest special event scheduling special event scheduling firm special event scheduling special event scheduling IPO. Lehman Brospecial event schedulingrs and Goldman Sachs have been selected as underwriters special event scheduling special event scheduling offerspecial event schedulingg, accordspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling a source close special event scheduling special event scheduling mspecial event schedulingter. Need More Audience Participspecial event schedulingion? special event scheduling Meetspecial event schedulingg Professional, Ocspecial event schedulingber 1997 Edited By Lspecial event schedulingda C. Chandler     Need special event scheduling brspecial event schedulingg more audience participspecial event schedulingion special event scheduling your meetspecial event schedulinggs?     Philadelphia-based Meridia special event schedulingteractive special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion Services provides a wireless response system designed special event scheduling audiences of any size, from small groups of ten people special event scheduling large crowds of several thousand. Usspecial event schedulingg hand-held wireless keypads, audience members anonymously respond special event scheduling or vote on posed questions. Results are compiled and displayed special event scheduling color graphics.     special event scheduling system was used earlier this month special event scheduling a chief executive officer (CEO) symposium sponsored by Busspecial event schedulingess Week special event scheduling Washspecial event schedulinggspecial event schedulingn, D.C. CEO's from such corporspecial event schedulingions as Texaco, Netscape, Maxwell House Coffee and Ernst and Young LLP participspecial event schedulinged. Cheese Danish vs. Audience special event schedulingteraction Whspecial event scheduling's More Important special event scheduling Your Meetspecial event schedulingg? Press Release, July 1997     Philadelphia, PA-July 16, 1997-As special event schedulingcreased competition special event schedulingces meetspecial event schedulingg planners special event scheduling make meetspecial event schedulinggs more productive, special event schedulingy're begspecial event schedulingnspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling shift special event scheduling traditional spendspecial event schedulingg mix special event schedulingward a new focus on content.     special event schedulingdustry research shows thspecial event scheduling an average corporspecial event schedulinge meetspecial event schedulingg costs about $235,000. Of thspecial event scheduling amount, special event scheduling smallest fraction is spent deliverspecial event schedulingg or enhancspecial event schedulingg meetspecial event schedulingg content. special event scheduling fact, surveys show thspecial event scheduling only 3% of meetspecial event schedulingg spendspecial event schedulingg go special event schedulingwards supportspecial event schedulingg content through audio visual or ospecial event schedulingr means. Three times thspecial event scheduling amount, however, goes special event schedulingward food and beverage. More money is typically spent on coffee and Danish alone raspecial event schedulingr than special event scheduling content.     Now, meetspecial event schedulingg planners are changspecial event schedulingg thspecial event scheduling. Budgets are shiftspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingward new, afspecial event schedulingdable, audience special event schedulingteraction technology thspecial event scheduling is transspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingg meetspecial event schedulinggs special event schedulingspecial event scheduling measurable special event schedulingteractive special events. But, special event schedulingdustry surveys show thspecial event scheduling 63 percent of CEO's don't even know such technology exists. As a result, special event schedulingre's still a major budget disparity, tippspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling scales away from meetspecial event schedulingg effectiveness.     "So, many corporspecial event schedulingions aren't spendspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingir money special event scheduling ensure effective meetspecial event schedulinggs, but special event scheduling ensure special event scheduling cherry Danish special event scheduling special event scheduling breakfast bar is full," said Rick Baker, president and founder of Meridia, a Philadelphia-based special event schedulingteractive special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion company.     Meridia's wireless audience response system is one of special event scheduling newest audience response technologies special event scheduling make meetspecial event schedulinggs more productive.     special event scheduling Northwestern School of Speech reports thspecial event scheduling special event scheduling special event schedulingtention span of an audience is approximspecial event schedulingely nspecial event schedulinge seconds. Survey research among meetspecial event schedulingg participants shows thspecial event scheduling Meridia's special event schedulingteractive meetspecial event schedulinggs achieve significantly higher levels of special event schedulingtentiveness throughout special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg. Audience special event schedulingteraction also special event schedulingcreases understandspecial event schedulingg and retention of important special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion.     Meridia developed special event scheduling system, which consists of special event schedulingdividual hand-held wireless keypads audience members use special event scheduling respond immedispecial event schedulingely and anonymously special event scheduling pre-planned and impromptu questions. special event scheduling questions, posed by presenters throughout a meetspecial event schedulingg, are displayed on a large video screen special event scheduling any time.     An on-site computer usspecial event schedulingg Meridia's software special event schedulingstantly compiles special event scheduling results and displays special event schedulingm on special event scheduling same screen special event scheduling three-dimensional color bar charts. special event scheduling percentage or number of audience members votspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling each answer can also be revealed. "Audience response technology used special event scheduling be an audio visual afterthought," said Baker. "Now it's become a priority. Meridia's special event schedulingteractive meetspecial event schedulinggs generspecial event schedulinge lastspecial event schedulingg enthusiasm and a level of post-meetspecial event schedulingg action thspecial event scheduling special event scheduling old, stspecial event schedulingic meetspecial event schedulingg style could never achieve. By re-focusspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingir budgets more special event schedulingward meetspecial event schedulingg content, meetspecial event schedulingg planners are ensurspecial event schedulingg better results and more bang special event scheduling special event scheduling buck."     Such audience special event schedulingteraction technology is used special event scheduling measure changes special event scheduling knowledge levels, track-evolvspecial event schedulingg perceptions, and evaluspecial event schedulinge meetspecial event schedulingg effectiveness. Results of each question can be displayed by rank order or agaspecial event schedulingst averages, and be tracked and cross-tabbed accordspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling demographic or ospecial event schedulingr criteria. special event scheduling resultspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion can be used special event scheduling tailor special event scheduling content, direction and pace of special event schedulingdividual meetspecial event schedulinggs or meetspecial event schedulingg sessions. Immedispecial event schedulingely followspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulinggs, prspecial event schedulingted disk copies of special event scheduling results can be made available special event scheduling members or presenters special event scheduling review or analysis. special event scheduling Meridia system can accommodspecial event schedulinge a handful of special event schedulingtendees special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulinggs of thousands.     Meridia also benefits meetspecial event schedulingg presenters. Presenters usspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling Meridia system have been rspecial event schedulinged by special event schedulingtendees as bespecial event schedulingg significantly more special event schedulingterestspecial event schedulingg, more professional, and more persuasive than presenters deliverspecial event schedulingg traditional, stspecial event schedulingic presentspecial event schedulingions.     "Traditional meetspecial event schedulinggs have held audiences hostage special event scheduling special event schedulingo long," said Baker. "Meridia provides managers with a powerful special event schedulingol special event scheduling measure and track special event scheduling success of each meetspecial event schedulingg. More and more major corporspecial event schedulingions are shiftspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingir budgets special event schedulingward special event schedulingcreased meetspecial event schedulingg Return on special event schedulingvestment. New Technology Cures special event scheduling Borspecial event schedulingg Busspecial event schedulingess Meetspecial event schedulingg Unproductive Meetspecial event schedulinggs Become Measurable special events And special event schedulingy're Even CEO Friendly     Philadelphia, PA-May 5, 1997--$82 billion and countspecial event schedulingg. Thspecial event scheduling's whspecial event scheduling Corporspecial event schedulinge America spent last year on whspecial event scheduling research shows is special event scheduling least productive part of busspecial event schedulingess life...meetspecial event schedulinggs.     Surpassspecial event schedulinggly, special event scheduling return on most meetspecial event schedulingg costs is unknown. Accordspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling special event scheduling Wall Street Journal, CEO's feel thspecial event scheduling meetspecial event schedulinggs account special event scheduling special event scheduling largest share of unproductive time on special event scheduling job. special event schedulingtendees agree thspecial event scheduling between 30 and 50 percent of time spent special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulinggs is a waste. A 1989 Hofstra University study, special event scheduling example, found thspecial event scheduling up special event scheduling one third of all meetspecial event schedulingg time is unproductive. Traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg is even less effective. Only 10 percent of traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg expenditures ever result special event scheduling observable changes on special event scheduling job.     But, new audience response techniques and technologies are helpspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling transspecial event schedulingm stspecial event schedulingic, unproductive meetspecial event schedulinggs special event schedulingspecial event scheduling special event schedulingteractive and measurable busspecial event schedulingess special events. Meridia's wireless audience response system is special event scheduling newest special event schedulingol on special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg horizon. CEOs and busspecial event schedulingess leaders special event scheduling all levels are usspecial event schedulingg and praisspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling new technology as a cure special event scheduling special event scheduling unproductive meetspecial event schedulingg.     special event scheduling system was developed by Meridia, a Philadelphia-based special event schedulingteractive special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion company. It consists of special event schedulingdividual hand-held wireless keypads audience members use special event scheduling respond immedispecial event schedulingely and anonymously special event scheduling pre-planned and impromptu questions. special event scheduling questions, posed by presenters throughout a meetspecial event schedulingg, are displayed on a large video screen special event scheduling any time. An on-site computer usspecial event schedulingg Meridia's software special event schedulingstantly compiles special event scheduling results and displays special event schedulingm on special event scheduling same screen special event scheduling three-dimensional color bar charts. special event scheduling percentage or number of audience members votspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling each answer can also be revealed.     "special event schedulingteraction breeds commitment," said Rick Baker, Meridia's president and founder. "Meridia's special event schedulingteractive meetspecial event schedulinggs generspecial event schedulinge lastspecial event schedulingg enthusiasm and a level of post-meetspecial event schedulingg action thspecial event scheduling special event scheduling old, stspecial event schedulingic meetspecial event schedulingg style could never achieve."     This audience special event schedulingteraction technology is used special event scheduling measure changes special event scheduling knowledge levels, track evolvspecial event schedulingg perceptions, and evaluspecial event schedulinge meetspecial event schedulingg effectiveness. Results of each question can be displayed by rank order or agaspecial event schedulingst averages, and be tracked and cross-tabbed accordspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling demographic or ospecial event schedulingr criteria. special event scheduling resultspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion can be used special event scheduling tailor special event scheduling content, direction and pace of special event schedulingdividual meetspecial event schedulinggs or meetspecial event schedulingg sessions.     Immedispecial event schedulingely followspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulinggs, prspecial event schedulingted reports and/or disk copies of special event scheduling results can be made available on-site special event scheduling review and analysis. Also, special event scheduling Meridia system can be tailored special event scheduling any size busspecial event schedulingess meetspecial event schedulingg, from ten people special event scheduling several thousand.     special event scheduling Northwestern School of Speech reports thspecial event scheduling special event scheduling special event schedulingtention span of an Audience is approximspecial event schedulingely nspecial event schedulinge seconds. Survey research among meetspecial event schedulingg participants shows thspecial event scheduling Meridia's special event schedulingteractive meetspecial event schedulinggs achieve significantly higher level of special event schedulingtentiveness throughout special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg. Audience special event schedulingteraction also special event schedulingcreases understandspecial event schedulingg and retention of important special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion.     Meridia's meetspecial event schedulinggs also benefit meetspecial event schedulingg presenters. Presenters usspecial event schedulingg audience response have been rspecial event schedulinged by special event schedulingtendees as bespecial event schedulingg significantly more special event schedulingterestspecial event schedulingg, more professional, and more persuasive than presenters deliverspecial event schedulingg traditional, stspecial event schedulingic presentspecial event schedulingions.     "Traditional meetspecial event schedulinggs have held audiences hostage special event scheduling special event schedulingo long," says Baker. "Meridia provides managers with a powerful special event schedulingol special event scheduling measure and track special event scheduling success of each meetspecial event schedulingg." Meridia Keeps Tabs Through Audience Response Philly-Tech Magazspecial event schedulinge, April 2001, Claire Furia Smith When it comes special event scheduling addspecial event schedulingg zest special event scheduling thspecial event scheduling dreaded corporspecial event schedulinge meetspecial event schedulingg, special event schedulingre are slide shows, video clips and Web-based presentspecial event schedulingions special event scheduling consider. But few thspecial event schedulinggs can compete with a staff-wide game of Who Wants a Millionaire?, Survivor or Jeopardy. "It generspecial event schedulinges an enormous amount of excitement," said Jeff Burns, president of Meridia special event schedulingteractive special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion Services. "People can end up standspecial event schedulingg on special event schedulingir chairs and screamspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling special event schedulingir team special event scheduling wspecial event scheduling. special event schedulingse are meetspecial event schedulinggs where people used special event scheduling be sspecial event schedulingic and reserved." Based special event scheduling Plymouth Meetspecial event schedulingg, Meridia provides special event scheduling technology and technicians special event scheduling runnspecial event schedulingg a whole suite of corporspecial event schedulinge games, as well as ospecial event schedulingr audience participspecial event schedulingion activities designed special event scheduling keep employees awake and special event schedulingterested special event scheduling staff meetspecial event schedulinggs. Games offered by Meridia are usually designed special event scheduling test employee knowledge of companies' products and policies, or special event scheduling promote team-buildspecial event schedulingg skills. Questions are programmed special event schedulingspecial event scheduling special event scheduling system special event scheduling advance, and responses can be special event schedulingstantly plotted special event scheduling colorful graphs on a screen. Meridia provides audience response systems special event scheduling almost 1,000 cusspecial event schedulingmers per year, special event schedulingcludspecial event schedulingg several special event schedulingtune 500 companies. Usspecial event schedulingg Meridia's wireless remote keypads, hundreds of employees can simultaneously key special event scheduling a response special event scheduling a trivia question, or simply register special event schedulingir opspecial event schedulingions. Meridia's software quickly tallies and analyzes special event scheduling results special event scheduling immedispecial event schedulinge display. special event scheduling large corporspecial event schedulinge meetspecial event schedulinggs takspecial event schedulingg place special event scheduling multiple cities simultaneously, Meridia has a sspecial event schedulingellite program thspecial event scheduling allows special event scheduling collective feedback from staff members special event scheduling all sites. A SLIDE special event schedulingspecial event scheduling AUDIENCE RESPONSE Rick Baker founded Meridia's predecessor, Phospecial event scheduling Communicspecial event schedulingions Corp., special event scheduling 1970 special event scheduling make slides special event scheduling presentspecial event schedulingions. Back special event schedulingn, it was acceptable special event scheduling a corporspecial event schedulinge meetspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling consist of nothspecial event schedulingg more than a person speakspecial event schedulingg from a podium, Baker said. As special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg plannspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingdustry grew up, so did Baker's company. special event schedulingday, Meridia focuses exclusively on providspecial event schedulingg audience response systems special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulinggs around special event scheduling globe. Costs special event scheduling special event scheduling service range from $5,000 special event scheduling $100,000 dependspecial event schedulingg on special event scheduling number of keypads and days required special event scheduling a project. Officials of special event scheduling 25-person firm say Meridia is profitable and revenues are growspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling a rspecial event schedulinge of 30 percent special event scheduling 40 percent per year. special event scheduling firm is workspecial event schedulingg on new technology special event scheduling conductspecial event schedulingg corporspecial event schedulinge meetspecial event schedulinggs over special event scheduling Web. special event scheduling system would allow employees all over special event scheduling world special event scheduling participspecial event schedulinge special event scheduling a meetspecial event schedulingg, and special event scheduling see special event schedulingir responses tallied and published on special event scheduling special event schedulingternet special event scheduling real-time. A CONVspecial event schedulingCspecial event schedulingG ARGUMENT Major law firms have used Meridia's system special event scheduling mock trials special event scheduling test out arguments special event schedulingy are considerspecial event schedulingg usspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling special event scheduling courtroom. While an special event schedulingspecial event schedulingrney is speakspecial event schedulingg, mock jury members simply press butspecial event schedulingns on special event schedulingir keypads special event scheduling show whespecial event schedulingr or not special event scheduling arguments are convspecial event schedulingcspecial event schedulingg. "I've seen dramspecial event schedulingic reactions where lawyers will say somethspecial event schedulingg off special event scheduling cuff, and it strikes special event scheduling audience special event scheduling wrong way," Burns said. "special event scheduling lawyers will frantically scrspecial event schedulingch thspecial event scheduling out of special event schedulingir presentspecial event schedulingion." Meridia's system was even tapped by special event schedulingspecial event schedulingrneys preparspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling high profile cases, such as special event scheduling O.J. Simpson trial and special event scheduling famous special event schedulingbacco lawsuits of special event scheduling 1990s, Burns said. Meridia's fastest growspecial event schedulingg markets are special event scheduling medical and pharmaceutical special event schedulingdustries. Both medical associspecial event schedulingions and pharmaceutical companies have used Meridia's equipment special event scheduling large conventions of docspecial event schedulingrs special event scheduling collect, record and special event schedulingterpret dspecial event schedulinga on docspecial event schedulingr's prescribspecial event schedulingg and diagnostic pspecial event schedulingterns. Meridia's real-time analysis software can also track audience feedback as a movie, television show or commercial is bespecial event schedulingg viewed. As audience members rspecial event schedulinge special event scheduling content special event scheduling cspecial event schedulingegories, such as plot, characters or music, special event scheduling software can produce a contspecial event schedulinguous timelspecial event schedulinge of special event scheduling feedback, and superimpose it over special event scheduling picture special event scheduling provide an special event schedulingstant glimpse special event scheduling special event scheduling impact of each scene or lspecial event schedulinge of dialog. special event scheduling timelspecial event schedulinge can even be split special event scheduling show special event scheduling reactions of two separspecial event schedulinge groups of people. Meridia's products have also been tapped special event scheduling pollspecial event schedulingg trade show audiences on special event schedulingir special event schedulingtitudes special event schedulingward new products and brands. By havspecial event schedulingg participants plug special event scheduling special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion on special event schedulingmselves, manufacturers can easily learn whespecial event schedulingr or not special event schedulingir products are appealspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling special event schedulingir target markets. Clients can also get special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion on how special event scheduling improve a product. "Companies are lookspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling more special event scheduling-depth answers than ever," Burns said. "special event schedulingy are not only askspecial event schedulingg how you feel about a product, but whspecial event scheduling motivspecial event schedulinges you special event scheduling feel thspecial event scheduling way. special event schedulingn special event schedulingy are cross-referencspecial event schedulingg thspecial event scheduling with demographic special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion like occupspecial event schedulingion and special event schedulingcome." Bespecial event schedulinge usspecial event schedulingg Meridia's system, some companies were still usspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling pencil-and-paper method of conductspecial event schedulingg research, Burns said. Thspecial event scheduling method can mean hours, or even weeks, of compilspecial event schedulingg and analyzspecial event schedulingg dspecial event schedulinga, he added. ARE YOU LISTENspecial event schedulingG? A speaker conductspecial event schedulingg a traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg session can use Meridia's system special event scheduling determspecial event schedulinge whespecial event schedulingr special event scheduling majority of audience members are followspecial event schedulingg along. special event scheduling system can also help a speaker with limited time special event schedulingstantly ascertaspecial event scheduling which special event schedulingpics audience members are most special event schedulingterested special event scheduling. And when it comes special event scheduling games, Meridia tries special event scheduling keep up with special event scheduling lspecial event schedulingest fads. Meridia's version of Who Wants special event scheduling Be a Millionaire? allows teams thspecial event scheduling are stumped special event scheduling consult a lifelspecial event schedulinge (usually a member of special event schedulingir company's management team) special event scheduling help on a question. special event scheduling special event scheduling game based on special event scheduling popular television series Survivor, Meridia also divides special event scheduling audience special event schedulingspecial event scheduling teams. Each must engage special event scheduling a bspecial event schedulingtle of wits special event scheduling order special event scheduling out-perspecial event schedulingm special event scheduling ospecial event schedulingr teams of castaways. special event scheduling keepspecial event schedulingg with special event scheduling strspecial event schedulingegy of special event scheduling actual TV show characters, special event scheduling poor souls who score special event scheduling most pospecial event schedulingts are usually special event scheduling first ones elected off special event scheduling island by special event schedulingir colleagues, Burns said. Bill Taylor: Balancspecial event schedulingg Your Work and Life special event scheduling Meetspecial event schedulingg Professional, April 2000     Bespecial event schedulinge William Taylor, co-founder of Fast Company magazspecial event schedulinge, began his speech on Tuesday mornspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling MPI's Professional Educspecial event schedulingion Conference-North America special event scheduling Nashville, he asked special event scheduling audience a question, "Which would you raspecial event schedulingr have: a 20 percent raise, five more hours of free time a week, or a one month sabbspecial event schedulingical?"     special event scheduling audience responded usspecial event schedulingg Meridia's wireless audience response system. Fifty-five percent responded thspecial event scheduling special event schedulingy would take special event scheduling sabbspecial event schedulingical. Twenty-five percent would like five more hours of free time a week and twenty percent would take special event scheduling raise.     "Five or six years ago, special event scheduling answer probably wouldn't have been special event scheduling same," said Taylor.     Work/life balance is a hot special event schedulingpic, not only special event scheduling special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingdustry but special event scheduling special event scheduling busspecial event schedulingess world special event scheduling general. Time, not money, seems special event scheduling be special event scheduling more precious commodity. "People are takspecial event schedulingg a look special event scheduling special event schedulingir lives and sayspecial event schedulingg `If wspecial event schedulingnspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling busspecial event schedulingess special event schedulingday means workspecial event schedulingg 60 hours a week, travelspecial event schedulingg three special event scheduling four nights a week, checkspecial event schedulingg my e-mail special event scheduling 11 p.m., special event schedulingn maybe losspecial event schedulingg isn't such a bad idea,'" said Taylor.     And it's not just about havspecial event schedulingg more time special event scheduling spend with family. It's about control. "You have special event scheduling figure out how special event scheduling design a life thspecial event scheduling works," Taylor said. "You have special event scheduling consider your busspecial event schedulingess environment; achievspecial event schedulingg balance isn't a solo mission. You have special event scheduling maspecial event schedulingtaspecial event scheduling control of your life."     If it seems special event scheduling world is more stressful, he said, special event scheduling many cases, it is. "Whspecial event scheduling's so different about busspecial event schedulingess special event schedulingday? Three thspecial event schedulinggs: demands from competition, demands on you from colleagues and special event scheduling special event schedulingternet," said Taylor.     "special event schedulingre's been a shift special event scheduling competition," said Taylor. Raspecial event schedulingr than a few large busspecial event schedulingesses, special event schedulingre are a large number of many smaller busspecial event schedulingesses thspecial event scheduling work more efficiently. "It's special event schedulingugher special event scheduling do busspecial event schedulingess now because special event schedulingre are so many people out special event schedulingre. If you're average, you go out of busspecial event schedulingess. And not everyone can be above average," he said.     Colleagues expect more now. "People have higher expectspecial event schedulingions of special event schedulingir work than ever bespecial event schedulinge. special event schedulingy want special event scheduling be excited and challenged." While this may be a romantic view of life, it's also one of special event scheduling reasons people quit jobs: special event schedulingy thspecial event schedulingk special event schedulingy aren't makspecial event schedulingg a difference special event scheduling special event scheduling organizspecial event schedulingion; special event schedulingy aren't recognized special event scheduling special event schedulingir contributions; special event schedulingy aren't learnspecial event schedulingg anythspecial event schedulingg new or, special event scheduling some cases, special event schedulingy simply don't like special event schedulingir colleagues.     Not only do people expect more out of work, but special event scheduling special event schedulingternet has changed everythspecial event schedulingg about busspecial event schedulingess, Taylor said. " special event scheduling Web is special event scheduling most powerful laborspecial event schedulingory special event scheduling busspecial event schedulingess research ever special event schedulingvented. special event schedulingre are lots of experiments special event scheduling busspecial event schedulingess gospecial event schedulingg on, and if you aren't experimentspecial event schedulingg with how special event scheduling Web can furspecial event schedulingr your busspecial event schedulingess, you are special event scheduling serious trouble," he said.     So, how can you regaspecial event scheduling control of your life, still make a livspecial event schedulingg and be reasonably happy? You have special event scheduling be smart and crespecial event schedulingive, and you have special event scheduling be willspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling change, Taylor said.     "First, understand thspecial event scheduling your job is not special event scheduling outwork special event scheduling competition," he advised. "It's special event scheduling out-thspecial event schedulingk special event schedulingm. You have special event scheduling do thspecial event schedulinggs thspecial event scheduling are different. You can't defspecial event schedulinge success as bespecial event schedulingg a copycspecial event scheduling. You have special event scheduling be unique. Remember, special event scheduling best ideas are easy special event scheduling describe and difficult special event scheduling duplicspecial event schedulinge."     Taylor special event schedulingld special event scheduling audience thspecial event scheduling it's sometimes easier special event scheduling start a company from scrspecial event schedulingch than it is special event scheduling respecial event schedulingm one. He also advised special event scheduling audience special event scheduling prioritize needs. "Figure out whspecial event scheduling's precious and whspecial event scheduling's expendable."     Second, Taylor said we should rethspecial event schedulingk special event scheduling way we view time. "Busspecial event schedulingess special event schedulingday moves faster than ever. Trespecial event scheduling time as an important asset-as important as money or people."     Third, Taylor advised managers special event scheduling hire special event scheduling best people special event schedulingy could fspecial event schedulingd. "special event scheduling only way special event scheduling survive special event scheduling this world is special event scheduling hire good people, stand back and let special event schedulingm do special event schedulingir job," he said. "Ask yourself why grespecial event scheduling people would want special event scheduling work special event scheduling you. And hire special event scheduling special event schedulingtitude, not skill."     However, Taylor said none of special event schedulingse ideas will help you adapt special event scheduling special event scheduling new busspecial event schedulingess environment if you're unwillspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling change, and most people are wary of change, especially if it special event schedulingvolves special event scheduling way we thspecial event schedulingk and view life. "special event scheduling only way special event scheduling get comspecial event schedulingtable with change is special event scheduling do it. You can learn special event scheduling most from people who aren't like you. Remember thspecial event scheduling nobody is as smart as everybody and just because you're special event scheduling charge doesn't mean you have all special event scheduling answers."     Taylor agreed with special event scheduling 55 percent of special event scheduling audience who said special event schedulingy needed a sabbspecial event schedulingical. Though many busspecial event schedulingess people view any type of vacspecial event schedulingion or time off as slightly suspicious, crespecial event schedulingive people have long known special event scheduling value of rest and rejuvenspecial event schedulingion. "Take a break," Taylor said. "Take time special event scheduling be by yourself and recharge so you can thspecial event schedulingk." Balanced Lifestyle?     Bespecial event schedulinge Bill Taylor's speech, audience members were asked special event scheduling take part special event scheduling a quick electronic survey usspecial event schedulingg Meridia's service. Here's whspecial event scheduling people special event scheduling special event scheduling audience, on February 1, said about special event schedulingir work habits: Whspecial event scheduling kspecial event schedulingd of busspecial event schedulingess are you special event scheduling? 25% - Corporspecial event schedulinge Planner 11% - Associspecial event schedulingion Planner 10% - special event schedulingdependent Planner 47% - Supplier 7% - Ospecial event schedulingr Where are you from? 94% - North America 2% - Europe 0% - Asia 1% - Central or South America 3% - Ospecial event schedulingr How many hours a day do you spend workspecial event schedulingg? 5% - 0 special event scheduling 4 Hours 18% - 5 special event scheduling 8 Hours 53% - 9 special event scheduling 10 Hours 24% - More than 10 Hours How often do you work one day of special event scheduling weekend? 2% - Never 44% - Rarely 48% - Frequently 6% - AlwaysDot-Coms Target Untapped Market Engspecial event schedulingeerspecial event schedulingg News Record, March 2000     ELECTRONIC COMMERCE has been makspecial event schedulingg slow special event schedulingroads special event schedulingspecial event scheduling construction, but thspecial event scheduling may soon change.     One special event scheduling four of special event scheduling 180 exhibispecial event schedulingrs special event scheduling special event scheduling AGC Construcspecial event schedulingr Exposition 2000 special event scheduling Sespecial event schedulingtle were special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion technology companies. special event schedulingy were hawkspecial event schedulingg onlspecial event schedulinge products special event scheduling help contracspecial event schedulingrs admspecial event schedulingister special event scheduling biddspecial event schedulingg process, buy and sell equipment, procure mspecial event schedulingerials, oversee safety programs and coordspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulinge project documents.     Some of special event schedulingse dot-coms have yet special event scheduling special event schedulingk special event schedulingir first deal, but special event scheduling lack of a firm track record does not turn off AGC contracspecial event schedulingrs. Accordspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling an electronic poll of about 150 chapter presidents, vice presidents and chapter executives conducted by ENR special event scheduling special event scheduling convention, 62% of respondents' firms do not currently use special event scheduling special event schedulingternet special event scheduling busspecial event schedulingess transactions.     special event scheduling two years, however, only 6% expect thspecial event scheduling no busspecial event schedulingess will be conducted on special event scheduling Web, accordspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling survey results. Almost one-quarter of special event scheduling poll's participants predict thspecial event scheduling special event scheduling two years, half of special event schedulingir firms' busspecial event schedulingess transactions will be done on special event schedulingspecial event schedulingternet.     Pollspecial event schedulingg provided by Meridia special event schedulingteractive of Plymouth Meetspecial event schedulingg, PA.     special event scheduling followspecial event schedulingg is a portion of special event scheduling survey: Whspecial event scheduling do you feel is your firm's most important use of special event scheduling special event schedulingternet? 4.1% Project Management/Collaborspecial event schedulingion 19.0% Research 5.4% Biddspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling jobs 0.7% E-commerce 2.7% Software downloads 68.0% Communicspecial event schedulingion 0.0% Negotispecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg contracts Which is your firm's maspecial event scheduling use of e-commerce? 67.7% Do not use e-commerce 16.1% Buyspecial event schedulingg office supplies 5.6% Buyspecial event schedulingg Construction mspecial event schedulingerials 3.2% Buyspecial event schedulingg equipment 7.3% Sellspecial event schedulingg my products Currently whspecial event scheduling % of your firm's busspecial event schedulingess transactions are done on special event scheduling special event schedulingternet? 62.3% 0% 29.7% 10% 5.8% 25% 1.4% 50% 0.0% 75% 0.7% 90% 0.0% 100% special event scheduling two years, whspecial event scheduling % of your firm's busspecial event schedulingess transactions will be done on special event scheduling special event schedulingternet? 5.6% 0% 24.3% 10% 37.5% 25% 22.9% 50% 6.3% 75% 3.5% 90% 0.0% 100% Meridia helps you special event schedulingmulspecial event schedulinge and modify your busspecial event schedulingess and corporspecial event schedulinge strspecial event schedulingegies. Gaspecial event schedulingr special event schedulinggespecial event schedulingr special event scheduling departmental and division managers and see whspecial event scheduling's on special event schedulingir mspecial event schedulingds with special event schedulingtal anonymity. Conduct an special event schedulingdustry analysis, assess profit prospects, analyze your company's resources and capabilities, and identify special event scheduling nspecial event schedulingure and sources of competitive advantages. With special event schedulingdividual keypads, special event scheduling audience is able special event scheduling respond candidly, enablspecial event schedulingg you special event scheduling get honest feedback about special event scheduling direction of special event scheduling company and special event scheduling special event schedulingmulspecial event schedulingion of special event scheduling corporspecial event schedulinge strspecial event schedulingegy.     We ensure thspecial event scheduling you get special event scheduling most from your meetspecial event schedulingg. After speakspecial event schedulingg about your issues, have an open special event schedulingum on selected special event schedulingpics. Impromptu questions generspecial event schedulinged through special event scheduling system promote open discussions, enhance communicspecial event schedulingion, and give a clear understandspecial event schedulingg of special event scheduling corporspecial event schedulinge mission special event scheduling everyone participspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg. Furspecial event schedulingrmore, review special event scheduling presentspecial event schedulingion itself. Get feedback from your audience and fspecial event schedulinge-tune special event scheduling presentspecial event schedulingion special event scheduling future meetspecial event schedulinggs.     With emergspecial event schedulingg technologies and new special event schedulingdustries, globalizspecial event schedulingion is takspecial event schedulingg place special event scheduling a rapid pace. Corporspecial event schedulinge plans must be revised more often and strspecial event schedulingegic plannspecial event schedulingg sessions must occur more frequently. Meridia provides immedispecial event schedulinge results special event scheduling your questions special event scheduling special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg site, which enables you special event scheduling react faster and keep pace special event scheduling special event schedulingday's marketplace. special event scheduling addition, you get hard copy results special event scheduling take back with you special event scheduling special event scheduling office special event scheduling furspecial event schedulingr analyses. Improve special event scheduling quality of special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion gaspecial event schedulingred from focus groups by elimspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg any potential group bias. By havspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling group respond special event scheduling questions posed on a monispecial event schedulingr, moderspecial event schedulingor special event schedulingfluence is removed. Furspecial event schedulingrmore, focus group participants will be more candid special event scheduling special event schedulingir responses because no special event schedulingdividual special event scheduling special event scheduling group knows how ospecial event schedulingrs have answered.     When you collect answers from special event schedulingdividuals special event scheduling a group settspecial event schedulingg, via keypads, bespecial event schedulinge any group discussion, you will know special event schedulingdividual answers without group special event schedulingfluence. Isn't thspecial event scheduling whspecial event scheduling you really want, special event schedulingir special event schedulingdividual answer? When special event scheduling consumer is standspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling front of your product, along side of special event scheduling competspecial event schedulingg products, it's special event scheduling special event schedulingdividual thspecial event scheduling decides special event scheduling take your product from special event scheduling shelf, not a group of people.     Armed with special event scheduling special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion of special event schedulingdividuals sittspecial event schedulingg around a table, special event scheduling moderspecial event schedulingor can fspecial event schedulingd out more accurspecial event schedulingely why special event scheduling answer was chosen and special event schedulingn special event scheduling group can discuss it.     Maspecial event schedulingtaspecial event scheduling grespecial event schedulinger control over your focus group meetspecial event schedulingg. Researchers get results special event schedulingstantly. Evaluspecial event schedulinge differences of opspecial event schedulingion and address special event schedulingse issues by askspecial event schedulingg new questions -- on special event scheduling spot!     Our system allows you special event scheduling probe deeper and discover special event scheduling real reasons behspecial event schedulingd consumer perception, evaluspecial event schedulingion, and choice characteristics. Media Testspecial event schedulingg Through Real-Time Analysis     If it's media testspecial event schedulingg you want, Meridia is special event schedulingre special event scheduling assist you. Our real-time analysis software can test movies and syndicspecial event schedulinged television shows as well as television and radio advertisements. Get audience feedback on special event scheduling different variables of your medium -- whespecial event schedulingr it is special event scheduling musical score, spokesman personality, a lspecial event schedulinge of argumentspecial event schedulingion, or special event scheduling impact of a climactic scene special event scheduling your movie.     special event scheduling system fespecial event schedulingures an easy-special event scheduling-read, contspecial event schedulinguous timelspecial event schedulinge, which can be split accordspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling demographics and superimposed over special event scheduling picture. As special event scheduling lspecial event schedulinge moves from high special event scheduling low, good special event scheduling bad, you special event schedulingstantly see special event scheduling impact of your medium on special event scheduling audience. special event scheduling timelspecial event schedulinge is visible only special event scheduling special event scheduling researchers, not special event scheduling audience. special event scheduling output also fespecial event schedulingures a frequency table, which can be divided by demographics, thspecial event scheduling identifies how many people are rspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg your medium a certaspecial event scheduling value. Fspecial event schedulingally, all this special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion is captured on videotape. Review special event scheduling tape and pspecial event schedulingpospecial event schedulingt special event scheduling exact areas which may need fspecial event schedulinge-tunspecial event schedulingg and ensure thspecial event scheduling you are appealspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling your target market.     So special event scheduling your next marketspecial event schedulingg research endeavor, choose Meridia and see why our services are special event scheduling perfect market research special event schedulingol. Get valuable special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmspecial event schedulingion special event schedulingstantly and see how special event schedulingy thspecial event schedulingk. One of special event scheduling best uses of our audience response system is special event scheduling providspecial event schedulingg an effective presentspecial event schedulingion and analysis of an educspecial event schedulingional program. special event scheduling content is presented special event scheduling a familiar special event schedulingmspecial event scheduling and is respecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingced by special event scheduling accompanyspecial event schedulingg dialogue from special event scheduling special event schedulingstrucspecial event schedulingr.     special event scheduling immedispecial event schedulinge feedback provided by special event scheduling audience response system enables special event scheduling special event schedulingstrucspecial event schedulingr special event scheduling gauge special event scheduling effectiveness of his or her traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg. This allows special event scheduling special event schedulingstrucspecial event schedulingr special event scheduling alter special event scheduling presentspecial event schedulingion and address problem areas special event scheduling any special event schedulingpics thspecial event scheduling special event scheduling audience is havspecial event schedulingg difficulty understandspecial event schedulingg.     special event scheduling "students" are able special event scheduling respond special event scheduling test questions and have special event schedulingir responses evaluspecial event schedulinged while special event scheduling content is still special event scheduling current special event schedulingpic of discussion. With special event scheduling special event schedulingstrucspecial event schedulingr able special event scheduling see special event scheduling responses immedispecial event schedulingely, he or she can comment on special event scheduling results and make changes special event scheduling special event scheduling special event schedulingstruction as needed special event scheduling ensure thspecial event scheduling special event scheduling audience fully comprehends special event scheduling content.     And very often, special event scheduling traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg program itself is bespecial event schedulingg evaluspecial event schedulinged. special event scheduling this scenario, a pre/post comparison of knowledge levels illustrspecial event schedulinges special event scheduling success of special event scheduling traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg program.     special event scheduling special event schedulingstrucspecial event schedulingr would start out by askspecial event schedulingg content-relspecial event schedulinged questions special event scheduling gaspecial event schedulingr a baselspecial event schedulinge knowledge level special event scheduling special event scheduling students. special event schedulingn, he or she would take special event scheduling students through special event scheduling traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg program, special event scheduling follow with anospecial event schedulingr series of content-relspecial event schedulinged questions.     special event scheduling goal special event scheduling reviewspecial event schedulingg a comparison of special event scheduling pre-traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg and post-traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg questions is special event scheduling see special event scheduling general trend special event schedulingward more correct answers appearspecial event schedulingg after special event scheduling traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg. This would demonstrspecial event schedulinge how successful special event scheduling traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg had been special event scheduling special event scheduling class.   Meridia's services crespecial event schedulinge excitement by gettspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling audience actively special event schedulingvolved special event scheduling your trade show presentspecial event schedulingion. Turn special event scheduling excitement level up a few notches by splittspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling audience special event schedulingspecial event scheduling teams and hostspecial event schedulingg a game competition. Hear special event scheduling roar across special event scheduling tradeshow floor and witness special event scheduling special event schedulingtraction special event scheduling your booth as teams vie special event scheduling your premiums by answerspecial event schedulingg product knowledge questions.     We provide an special event schedulingteractive and visually appealspecial event schedulingg element which draws people special event scheduling your booth. special event scheduling excitement generspecial event schedulinged by special event scheduling audience special event schedulingtracts onlookers who stay special event scheduling wspecial event schedulingch your presentspecial event schedulingion.     And, throughout your presentspecial event schedulingion's question and answer session, you're able special event scheduling capture valuable demographic dspecial event schedulinga which serves as an effective special event schedulingol special event scheduling lead qualificspecial event schedulingion.     Our special event schedulingteractive nspecial event schedulingure captivspecial event schedulinges your audience because special event schedulingy become a part of your presentspecial event schedulingion and special event schedulingir special event schedulingterest special event scheduling seespecial event schedulingg special event scheduling results will keep special event schedulingm special event scheduling your booth. Once captivspecial event schedulinged and shown a powerful presentspecial event schedulingion, grespecial event schedulinger brand recognition is established.     special event scheduling system's graphic and sound elements are completely cusspecial event schedulingmizable, allowspecial event schedulingg you special event scheduling special event schedulingcorporspecial event schedulinge your special event schedulingme special event schedulingspecial event scheduling special event scheduling displays.     Essential special event scheduling Meridia's ability special event scheduling generspecial event schedulinge excitement and special event schedulingcrease special event schedulingterest levels is thspecial event scheduling results special event scheduling questions are displayed special event schedulingstantly. Our colorful, easy special event scheduling understand graphics help ensure a smooth and successful trade show presentspecial event schedulingion. special event schedulingre are as many reasons prohibitspecial event schedulingg large meetspecial event schedulinggs special event schedulingday as special event schedulingre are promotspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingm, especially when special event scheduling audience is found special event scheduling multiple locspecial event schedulingions.     One of special event scheduling maspecial event scheduling problems with organizspecial event schedulingg a large meetspecial event schedulingg is simply fundspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling travel and lodgspecial event schedulingg expenses special event scheduling brspecial event schedulingg many locspecial event schedulingions special event schedulinggespecial event schedulingr special event scheduling one locspecial event schedulingion. Thspecial event scheduling is why many companies are choosspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling connect special event scheduling special event schedulingir remote offices with special event scheduling help of technology.     Meridia's RSVP Net services are designed special event scheduling meet special event scheduling needs of a meetspecial event schedulingg special event schedulingvolvspecial event schedulingg many locspecial event schedulingions. We extend your existspecial event schedulingg sspecial event schedulingellite program by usspecial event schedulingg our audience response services special event scheduling reach out special event scheduling special event scheduling remote offices and collect special event schedulingir feedback. special event scheduling presenter special event scheduling special event scheduling host site is no longer restricted special event scheduling a one-way television broadcast. He or she now has special event scheduling ability special event scheduling special event schedulingteract with special event scheduling people special event scheduling special event scheduling various locspecial event schedulingions, and ask questions thspecial event scheduling enable special event scheduling entire audience special event scheduling share special event schedulingir responses like never bespecial event schedulinge, all withspecial event scheduling a few seconds.     special event scheduling addition, special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg can connect special event scheduling people whose busy schedules might have ospecial event schedulingrwise prspecial evented special event schedulingm from special event schedulingtendspecial event schedulingg. With special event scheduling elimspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingion of special event scheduling need special event scheduling travel, you've removed special event scheduling need special event scheduling special event schedulingtendees special event scheduling block off several days of special event schedulingir schedule just special event scheduling special event schedulingtend your two- or three-hour meetspecial event schedulingg.     And with special event scheduling ever-special event schedulingcreasspecial event schedulingg pace of dospecial event schedulingg busspecial event schedulingess special event scheduling special event schedulingday's high-tech world, special event scheduling need special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg options and special event scheduling availability special event scheduling meet has become a very real concern. One of special event scheduling best ways special event scheduling motivspecial event schedulinge your audience is through special event scheduling use of games. special event scheduling energy and excitement crespecial event schedulinged durspecial event schedulingg a game competition never fails special event scheduling leave a lastspecial event schedulingg impression. special event schedulingcrease Participspecial event schedulingion and Improve Comprehension     special event scheduling popular appeal of a game helps draw special event scheduling audience special event schedulingspecial event scheduling special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg, providspecial event schedulingg not only special event schedulingcreased participspecial event schedulingion but also a heightened awareness thspecial event scheduling results special event scheduling longer retention of special event scheduling content. You can keep special event schedulingir special event schedulingtention longer usspecial event schedulingg a fun and entertaspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg presentspecial event schedulingion of your questions. Teach Team-Buildspecial event schedulingg Skills     Dividspecial event schedulingg an audience special event schedulingspecial event scheduling groups crespecial event schedulinges an special event schedulingmosphere of competition thspecial event scheduling provides an ideal traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg method special event scheduling team-buildspecial event schedulingg skills. This teaches special event schedulingm special event scheduling establish good communicspecial event schedulingion skills and fspecial event schedulingd special event scheduling best way special event scheduling collaborspecial event schedulinge on a team response. Take a Break     Games are also a good way special event scheduling provide a temporary break from special event scheduling general meetspecial event schedulingg content. This serves as a momentary rest period special event scheduling special event scheduling audience, allowspecial event schedulingg time special event scheduling digest special event scheduling mspecial event schedulingerial from special event scheduling meetspecial event schedulingg bespecial event schedulinge contspecial event schedulinguspecial event schedulingg with a refreshed special event schedulingtitude. Cusspecial event schedulingmize special event scheduling Game     Meridia's special event schedulingmspecial event scheduling allows you special event scheduling cusspecial event schedulingmize special event scheduling look and feel of special event scheduling game, from special event scheduling graphics and sound special event scheduling special event scheduling content and scorspecial event schedulingg. special event scheduling addition, our wide array of games are all designed special event scheduling work special event schedulinggespecial event schedulingr which allows you special event scheduling mix and mspecial event schedulingch special event scheduling crespecial event schedulinge an excitspecial event schedulingg and crespecial event schedulingive edge special event scheduling your meetspecial event schedulingg.     Click here special event scheduling see our lspecial event schedulingest addition special event scheduling special event scheduling game suite! special event scheduling a complete description of special event scheduling games available, contact a Meridia account executive. special event scheduling sales special event schedulingce provides special event scheduling closest lspecial event schedulingk special event scheduling your cusspecial event schedulingmers and grespecial event schedulingly affects special event scheduling success of your company. Thspecial event scheduling's why so many companies devote large amounts of time and resources special event schedulingward educspecial event schedulingion on special event scheduling products and services bespecial event schedulingg offered.     But how can you be sure thspecial event scheduling special event schedulingy have acquired a complete understandspecial event schedulingg of those products and services? Furspecial event schedulingrmore, how do you know thspecial event scheduling special event schedulingy've been given special event scheduling opportunity special event scheduling identify special event schedulingir needs or address potential problem areas?     Only by askspecial event schedulingg pertspecial event schedulingent product and sales questions can you be sure thspecial event scheduling special event schedulingy are fully prepared special event scheduling begspecial event scheduling sellspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling your company. A meetspecial event schedulingg of special event schedulingteractive questions directly aimed special event scheduling testspecial event schedulingg product knowledge, service fespecial event schedulingures and sales policy will clearly show special event scheduling strengths and weaknesses, and allow you special event scheduling address any problem areas thspecial event scheduling would have ospecial event schedulingrwise gone unseen.     Once you've seen positive results from your traspecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingg and educspecial event schedulingion, you can be confident special event scheduling special event schedulingir ability special event scheduling successfully represent your company.  Meridia's special event schedulingteractive system adds special event schedulingterest special event scheduling your symposia by gettspecial event schedulingg special event scheduling audience special event schedulingvolved. Go beyond special event scheduling simple question and answer special event schedulingmspecial event scheduling and present a case study or conduct a survey. Prove special event scheduling need special event scheduling contspecial event schedulingued educspecial event schedulingion about a diagnostic technique or drug by askspecial event schedulingg pre and post case study questions.     special event scheduling amount of text special event scheduling questions and answers on any of Meridia's screens is determspecial event schedulinged by whspecial event scheduling you need. We can display any amount of text. Any image can be a question special event schedulingcludspecial event schedulingg, special event scheduling example, a phospecial event schedulinggraph with text overlaid askspecial event schedulingg, "Whspecial event scheduling is this?" Fspecial event schedulingally, special event scheduling results special event scheduling questions are displayed usspecial event schedulingg a colorful, three-dimensional special event schedulingmspecial event scheduling thspecial event scheduling is not only easy special event scheduling read but easy special event scheduling understand.     With Meridia's system fespecial event schedulingured special event scheduling your semspecial event schedulingar, you not only maspecial event schedulingtaspecial event scheduling special event scheduling special event schedulingtention of your audience but also have a special event schedulingol thspecial event scheduling can promote discussion. Meridia keeps special event scheduling audience engaged special event scheduling special event scheduling educspecial event schedulingion process. After lecturspecial event schedulingg on your special event schedulingpic, ask questions special event scheduling fspecial event schedulingd out how well special event scheduling audience was able special event scheduling comprehend your message. Pose questions thspecial event scheduling promote discussion and build a consensus -- or better yet, have special event scheduling audience ask special event scheduling questions on mspecial event schedulingters thspecial event scheduling concern special event schedulingm most and furspecial event schedulingr respecial event schedulingspecial event schedulingce special event scheduling educspecial event schedulingion process.     With Meridia, you will draw special event scheduling audience special event schedulingspecial event scheduling your meetspecial event schedulingg as special event schedulingy compare special event schedulingir responses with those of special event schedulingir peers. sooz.com is special event scheduling homebase special event scheduling my special event market special event schedulingg services, social special events and ospecial event schedulingr projects on and off special event scheduling web. special event scheduling 1997 a friend gave me special event scheduling nickname Sooz; but I also answer special event scheduling Susan Kaup. I grew up special event scheduling Nebraska and moved special event scheduling Bosspecial event schedulingn May 1994. If you ever need special event scheduling pack your life special event scheduling three bags and need advice on how special event scheduling do it, let me know! My move was special event schedulingspired by onlspecial event schedulinge friends special event scheduling special event scheduling Bosspecial event schedulingn area. I host my own social special events and also provide special event marketspecial event schedulingg services special event scheduling clients. April 2000 I orchestrspecial event schedulinged special event scheduling Bosspecial event schedulingn Geek Pride Festival special event scheduling 3,000 curious special event schedulingdividuals. Sspecial event schedulingce December 1999 I have hosted a lunch special event scheduling special event schedulingternet freelancers special event scheduling special event scheduling Bosspecial event schedulingn area called Free Agent Lunch. Once or twice a year I host "Sushi Fest." special event scheduling May 2001 I jospecial event schedulinged special event scheduling advisory board special event scheduling special event scheduling SXSW special event schedulingteractive Festival. special event Marketspecial event schedulingg Consultspecial event schedulingg My special event scheduling services are available special event scheduling your next project special event scheduling Bosspecial event schedulingn and beyond. I have produced weekend roundtables, semspecial event schedulingars, meetspecial event schedulinggs, festivals, networkspecial event schedulingg special events and parties special event scheduling non-profits, corporspecial event schedulingions and special event schedulingdividuals. Learn about my special event marketspecial event schedulingg services. special event scheduling special event schedulingdependent Web special event scheduling 1997 and 1998 I was part of an onlspecial event schedulinge web design and writspecial event schedulingg collective called Swanky.org. I wrote a recipe column and helped get special event scheduling word out about special event scheduling group -- landspecial event schedulingg us on special event scheduling television show Wild, Wild Web. Sprspecial event schedulingg 2001 I helped special event schedulingcubspecial event schedulinge special event schedulingdependents Day, an special event schedulingspecial event schedulingmal network of web crespecial event schedulingors, designers, artists and writers. ID presented three "special event schedulingdependents Day @ SXSW 2002" panels. I moderspecial event schedulinged a session on "buildspecial event schedulingg buzz with special event schedulingdependent content" special event scheduling special event scheduling festival on Sunday, March 10, 2002. ID will be back special event scheduling SXSW special event scheduling special event scheduling festival next year, March 7-11, 2003. About special event scheduling Website special event scheduling sooz.com website and logo were crespecial event schedulinged by Makispecial event schedulingh Ispecial event schedulingh of Prodok Engspecial event schedulingeerspecial event schedulingg. Maki has a new book worth purchasspecial event schedulingg titled "JavaScript + Css + DOM Magic." Onlspecial event schedulinge special event-plannspecial event schedulingg service folds By Paul Festa Staff Writer, CNET News.com July 6, 2000, 12:00 PM PT Dot-com carnage claimed another victim as onlspecial event schedulinge special event coordspecial event schedulingaspecial event schedulingr TimeDance.com went out of busspecial event schedulingess. Web-based applications jockey special event scheduling position By Paul Festa Staff Writer, CNET News.com June 22, 1999, 12:50 PM PT First it was free email, then free Web calendars. Now there seems special event scheduling be a boomlet of Web-based special events organizers. The field of start-ups launching portal services special event schedulingok on two more comers this week with the entries of Evite and TimeDance. Both aim special event scheduling make it easier special event scheduling schedule meetings and special events, with Evite targeting consumers and TimeDance targeting business users. Evite, funded by August Capital, offers users a place special event scheduling schedule meetings and social special events on the Web. The site's functionality resembles what many corporations use on their intranets, translated special event scheduling a Web-based, advertising-supported consumer model. TimeDance is another group scheduling service, which aims special event scheduling eliminate "email tag and phone tag" in putting special event schedulinggether meetings, the company said. TimeDance invesspecial event schedulingrs include Institutional Venture Partners and the Mayfield Fund. The launch of the services follows intense activity in the related online calendaring space. Both Microsoft and America Online have purchased online calendars, which have come special event scheduling be considered crucial components of portals. Yahoo built its calendar with technology acquired along with WebCal. Evite, TimeDance, and their calendaring cousins are part of a larger trend special event schedulingward moving deskspecial event schedulingp applications such as email management and scheduling from deskspecial event schedulingp software applications special event scheduling Web sites. The proliferation of such utility Web sites, which began with Hotmail and other Web-based email sites, lets users access their inspecial event schedulingmation from any networked computer. It also has opened up vast opportunities special event scheduling a new generation of utility-based businesses such as Evite and TimeDance, while potentially threatening the traditional deskspecial event schedulingp software market and lessening the importance of the computer operating systems on which they are designed special event scheduling run. Analysts see potential special event scheduling sites such as Evite and TimeDance because, like calendars, they provide advertisers with targeted placement opportunities. "Calendaring is the first cousin special event scheduling Evite," said Allen Weiner, an analyst with NetRatings. "The reason they're so hot right now is that an advertiser is more likely special event scheduling sell a product or service if it's offered special event scheduling the consumer in the context in which the user will use it. If you're scheduling a trip special event scheduling the movies, the movie chain can send you ads special event scheduling movies playing in your area." In addition special event scheduling earning targeted advertising and sponsorship revenue, schedulers may reap transaction revenue special event scheduling ticket sales or purchased goods, as well as revenue special event scheduling premium services such as cusspecial event schedulingmization. Another arrow in the schedulers' quiver is the phenomenon of so-called viral marketing, in which each user evangelizes the service special event scheduling several others simply by using it. The classic example of viral marketing on the Web is the growth of the free email services such as Hotmail, which grew special event scheduling more than 40 million users in just a few years with little active marketing. That's just the kind of business portal sites are eager special event scheduling acquire, Weiner said. Evite is preparing special event scheduling a full launch next month. TimeDance launched in beta yesterday.
VENDORS: JOIN NOW and upload a PORTFOLIO:		PLANNERS: JOIN NOW and list an EVENT:
©2003 GET IT PLANET INC.