Insulate Magazine Issue 17

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From the other side, I’ve heard comments from new
and experienced presenters expressing surprise that
an audience was less engaged, or had a lower level
of base knowledge on the subject, than they expected.
From personal experience, I’ve been willing
to discuss live projects in relation to a presentation’s
topics - and had nobody take up the offer.
Never having been a full-time CPD presenter, I
recognise isolated examples aren’t necessarily
representative of a majority of audiences. Anecdotal
as all this evidence may be, however, it can’t help but
raise questions - not least whether conventional CPD
seminars are delivering their intended benefit to
specifier or manufacturer.
they might have. If presentation slots fail to fill generous
seating areas reserved for them, where’s the
harm in experimenting with more exclusive sessions,
held away from the noise and distraction of the main
hall?
An often-overlooked aspect of CPD is reflection.
Professionals are expected to consider whether an
item of CPD met their needs, and adjust their other
planned activities in response. Whether they do or
not is a matter for debate, but consider this: manufacturers
like describing themselves as innovative,
and show organisers want their event to be the most
important of its kind. So shouldn’t there be reflection
on their parts too, about why they keep doing the
same things?
A New Approach
Is it time for trade shows and exhibitions to work
with manufacturers to develop alternative formats?
Classroom or workshop arrangements could offer a
greater level of freedom and interaction, delivering a
higher quality experience, of greater value, that might
even generate increased interest from the intended
target audience.
Better to address questions the audience on the day
actually have, rather than ones assumed in advance
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