Considering the way the world economy is going, it may actually not be a bad idea to take a serious look at conducting your organization’s meetings/conferences in the virtual world rather than in the traditional way.
Here’s an interesting case study by IBM and Linden Lab about How Meeting In Second Life Transformed IBM’s Technology Elite Into Virtual World Believers.
According to Joanne Martin (President, IBM Academy of Technology), “The meeting in Second Life was everything that you could do at a traditional conference – and more – at one fifth the cost and without a single case of jet lag.”
Some key highlights of the conference were:
- 200 members globally attended 3 keynotes and 37 breakout sessions.
- IBM saved over $250,000 in travel and venue costs and more than $150,000 in additional productivity gains.
- Conference facilities included a reception plaza, picnic area, three theaters, several gardens, support library, green data center, and community gathering spaces, as well as a whimsical desert landscape with growing plants.
