It seems like people are starting to get over their Big Brother feelings about RFID (radio frequency identification) technology for meetings, at least according to this article in the Boston Globe.
- Dayton Semerjian, executive vice president of marketing and alliances at Concord Communications, a $100 million Marlborough company that helps clients manage their technology infrastructure, networks, and applications, said his firm rented several hundred nTAGs for a company-sponsored gathering last month that drew 300 executives and technology representatives from 70 firms. Each participant received an nTAG.
''At first, it was a little awkward," said Semerjian. ''You felt as if you were at a 'Star Trek convention or something, but the value of the device quickly became evident. People who typically would stay with only the people they knew were going around and talking to customers and sharing information about our company. In terms of getting an event kicked off and getting people integrated socially, it was wonderful"...
The device also collects data, giving convention planners, exhibitors, and participants real-time access to attendance and other information that can take days to collect. Meeting planners can find out what sessions participants liked best. Employers can figure out how many clients networked with the company marketing staff, or how clients reacted to their products, and why. The nTAGs also have the capability to store conference agenda information and grab business-card data.
Love 'em or hate 'em, I think these are here to stay. Actually, I hope some of our industry associations use the technology for their upcoming meetings--I'd love to check it out in person!
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