Hard to measure all the excitement at the big LERN annual conference in New Orleans. There were was the huge attendance, all the young professionals, a ‘wow’ keynote, and more new info than usual for our changing industry. Let’s just say it was a big hit!
Some 900 people attended our 2011 conference from 49 U.S. states and Puerto Rico; 6 Canadian provinces; and Russia, England, Saudia Arabia and Bermuda.
The coverage of all the new info starts now, with articles in the LERN Club and in your next eMag. Here’s our top highlights.
From left, Gen X, Gen X, and Gen Y
1.Younger people
Gen X and Gen Y numbers a record at the conference. We also had more young presenters and topics of interest to Gen X and Gen Y.
2. Mobiles: The New Frontier keynote
Internationally known new media journalist Bill Thompson of Cambridge, England, delivered a ‘wow’ that created an emotional rush with his keynote on the new era of mobiles for continuing education. The keynote is available as an archived webinar.
Great use for mobiles: take pictures of the best brochures and program idea posters.
3. Most attend advanced, how-to
The most attended sessions continue to be the core sessions and fundamentals of the field, along with our advanced sessions, providing the most practical, how-to information available in the field.
4. First Ever!
In the first known mobile marketing panel session for the field, four practitioners began the new era of mobiles for our field with what we know, and what’s relevant, right now.
One seat open. Sessions were packed.
5. Breakthrough awards
An incredible new learning format, stunning touch-the-cover brochure, and the first awards for mobile marketing awed the 500 people attending the awards luncheon.
6. Mobile app
LERN’s first mobile app, for conference attendees, premiered.
Drummers welcome people to general session.
7. What’s new with digital marketing.
Sessions on Prezi, your brand online, what’s next for digital marketing, social media, digital brochures, and other cutting edge online marketing.