James Lancaster interviews new AMI columnist Marc Mekki about the function of associations in a post-pandemic era and the role technology might - or might not - play.
2:40 Associations must have a value-added proposition year-round, that’s what the pandemic taught us.
03:27 Many associations are terribly old-fashioned...and proud of it.
4:40 Associations are the guardians of a tremendous amount of specific sector knowledge – they should leverage it.
5:08 There are individuals teaching stuff on YouTube who get more views than many associations do in ten years. Associations must be sitting on in-house talent.
09:45 Digital meetings tech is still embryonic. Compared to the industry in general it’s tiny.
11:25 An equilibrium will replace the ridiculous false dichotomy of digital versus face-to-face.
14:50 The planners who have an existential angst towards technology shouldn’t be fearful. They will learn to use it as and when it suits them. It will just expand the scope of their work.
22:28 We should resist the norm that new technological discoveries are immediately usurped by a very small cabal of people with almost absolute control.
31:10 The people developing the metaverse don’t know what it is.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
