![\"Dragana](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/dd2.jpg\")
\n
We have become users of a large number of technical and electronic devices, which poses the question of who \u2013 or what \u2013 is actually doing the using! Numerous daily communication apps (calls, text messages, Viber, WhatsApp, email, etc.), as well as social media, which became inevitable in the everyday life of school children and even more so of people involved in event planning, raise the following question: How much time are we left for direct communication – face to face?
\nAnother even more important question is: Does virtual reality expand our possibilities and horizons, or does it instead put us in a space that narrows them?
\nThe notion of virtual reality also raises the question of where \u201cthe real reality\u201d is and whether these two are mutually exclusive. The increasingly current conflict between traditional and modern continues to provoke dramatic
\ndivides between people into those who yearn for long-gone forms of communication and refuse to use the technology available and those who have no doubt about it \u2013 advocates and representatives of the modern era who are its avid users.
The answer is simple – new technologies\u00a0are not just a need, rather\u00a0they are a necessity, and whether\u00a0they will only help us or also\u00a0harm us depends on the personal\u00a0aspects using them.\u00a0The 21st century is an age of information,\u00a0communication, and overall\u00a0connectivity, and we could not\u00a0be able to live this way without\u00a0the technology available.
\nComing of age is also the so-called Generation Z – those who were bo\u00adrn after 1995 and who know no time without the internet – and the older, more mature, and more experienced are tasked with helping them create and maintain values, those afforded to them by previous generations. It was those generations who created, inspired, and prompted modern technologies, the need for multitasking, and 3D and who gave birth to technoholics.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-167986079.jpg\")
The real world is the one we live in, and we\u2019re all objectively living in a virtual world, relying day in day out on the countless opportunities it provides us. Being extreme and exclusive can rarely bring benefit to one\u2019s life. These very standpoints\u00a0 pass the risk of losing the human element or, in the opposite case, failing to exploit the powerful potentials of technology.
\nIt would certainly be useful to\u00a0switch\u00a0from the either/or attitude\u00a0to the both/and stance and accept\u00a0that virtual reality is the one we\u00a0live in, but that it should not be\u00a0the only place where we exist and\u00a0act.
\nConsidering that the majority of people wake up with the alarm clock feature on their mobile phones, that they are more likely to check out the weather on their phones than watch the weather forecast on TV, that they use their phones to play favorite music, read or watch the news, send text messages, communicate using Viber or similar apps, and check social media while drinking coffee, it\u2019s clear that all these would be very missed if they wouldn\u2019t be there. We can find out what drones recorded and the latest in robotics. In a second we can learn what is happening in any part of the world, explore potential solutions for important life decisions, get answers, and keep up with events.
\nOn the other hand, while we\u2019re looking at pictures of the past with nostalgia, remembering the times when all this did not exist (and everyone was happy and content), we forget that now we don\u2019t have to wait for letters from our loved ones to arrive from far away (thanks to Skype and other similar apps and the ability of everyday audio- visual communication). We find out the location of a trade show we always wanted to attend, a convention that will allow us to network with experts from all over the world, or some other event that is important to us.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-201591043.jpg\")
We used to find the time to meet face to face, and technology successfully eliminates this.
\nOr does it? Would it really be possible to set aside enough time for meetings, visits, socializing, and all that it replaces, because what\u2019s lacking is time? Life keeps pace with technology and, yet, technology gives us much more than it takes away.
\nAs a process, event planning, to a large extent, requires using all available technical means.
\nIn fact, it seems impossible to imagine it without everything we mentioned so far. \u201cIf it\u2019s not on social media or the internet – it never happened.\u201d We hear this all the time. This apparent fact of the modern era goes hand in hand with the necessity of the human element because everything that is done is done by people for people.
\nTechnology is a medium, a facilitator, rather than a major participant, and that is the boundary that should not be crossed.
\nEvents are organized for participants who need to be informed about it. The easiest, fastest, most widespread forms of informing them make use of technology. Without it, information won\u2019t find its way to users. Without this, success is unattainable. Not just the event planner\u2019s success – the potential participants also stand to lose. These times we live in come with requirements.\u00a0Requirements generate needs. Whether any new invention will be accepted and used depends only on one thing – market demand.
\nThe market is cruel and it won\u2019t allow anything that does not involve progress or productivity in comparison with preceding products to survive.
\nYes, the need for modern technology does exist. And it\u2019s growing by the hour. It grants wishes and increases the need for control.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-136958102.jpg\")
Perhaps it is control (or its absence) precisely that is the biggest problem because technology is threatening to overpower the human element. Technology has allowed for an allaround control of \u201cother people\u201d and started to serve its own purpose because both the user and those other people are actually controlled. Control moved into the digital space and became a weapon, instead of a tool. The boundary is these, it\u2019s clear and visible. Modern technology is starting to control all aspects of life, sometimes even circumventing ethical principles. This is the sphere of the human element.
\nFrom the psychological perspective – and especially the socio-psychological – technology emerges from the need for expansion and networking. As a result, we often see something quite the opposite. Does this feeling of contradiction arise from viewing the virtual world as superficial and not accepting that the virtual world is part of reality?
\nThe virtual world is the reality of the modern age, with all its creations. Why do we stop loving and believing in that and those we have created ourselves? If we trust ourselves, we also believe that we are creating something that is significant and good enough.\u00a0It\u2019s up to each individual to decide how much space to allot to virtual content. And each individual is accountable.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-173876899.jpg\")
The virtual world has deprived us of the ability to remain uninformed, to justify ourselves by being unaware or not having heard of something. It is sufficiently present for us to be informed. Sometimes it\u2019s even aggressive, but again this concerns the human element, awareness, and conscience and requires staying objective in assessment.
\nVirtual reality didn\u2019t rob us of this objectivity, it only brought about the possibility of more choices. The decision is up to us.
The power of information is based on prevalence, availability, as well as experience. And there\u2019s no true experience without the human element.
\nThe path to successfully attaining goals involves simultaneously applying the benefits of
\nmodern technology in conjunction with the human element. Technology is a facilitator, and that is all it should remain.
Dragana Deh, M.Sc. Psychology,
\nsystemic therapist, life coach
\nwww.psihooaza.com
\n
The post Users or Being Used? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Dragana Deh, Msc psiholog, sistemski psihoterapeut, lajf kou\u010d\nNot many people today can say that they don\u2019t use mobile phones. If we count in the fact that employees often have a duty (or need) to own also a work phone number, the usage rates double.\n \nWe have become users of a large number of technical and electronic devices, which poses the question of who \u2013 or what \u2013 is actually doing the using! Numerous daily communication apps (calls, text messages, Viber, WhatsApp, email, etc.), as well as social media, which became inevitable in the everyday life of school children and even more so of people involved in event planning, raise the following question: How much time are we left for direct communication – face to face?\nAnother even more important question is: Does virtual reality expand our possibilities and horizons, or does it instead put us in a space that narrows them?\nThe notion of virtual reality also raises the question of where \u201cthe real reality\u201d is and whether these two are mutually exclusive. The increasingly current conflict between traditional and modern continues to provoke dramatic\ndivides between people into those who yearn for long-gone forms of communication and refuse to use the technology available and those who have no doubt about it \u2013 advocates and representatives of the modern era who are its avid users.\nThe answer is simple – new technologies\u00a0are not just a need, rather\u00a0they are a necessity, and whether\u00a0they will only help us or also\u00a0harm us depends on the personal\u00a0aspects using them.\u00a0The 21st century is an age of information,\u00a0communication, and overall\u00a0connectivity, and we could not\u00a0be able to live this way without\u00a0the technology available.\nComing of age is also the so-called Generation Z – those who were bo\u00adrn after 1995 and who know no time without the internet – and the older, more mature, and more experienced are tasked with helping them create and maintain values, those afforded to them by previous generations. It was those generations who created, inspired, and prompted modern technologies, the need for multitasking, and 3D and who gave birth to technoholics.\n\nThe real world is the one we live in, and we\u2019re all objectively living in a virtual world, relying day in day out on the countless opportunities it provides us. Being extreme and exclusive can rarely bring benefit to one\u2019s life. These very standpoints\u00a0 pass the risk of losing the human element or, in the opposite case, failing to exploit the powerful potentials of technology.\nIt would certainly be useful to\u00a0switch\u00a0from the either/or attitude\u00a0to the both/and stance and accept\u00a0that virtual reality is the one we\u00a0live in, but that it should not be\u00a0the only place where we exist and\u00a0act.\nConsidering that the majority of people wake up with the alarm clock feature on their mobile phones, that they are more likely to check out the weather on their phones than watch the weather forecast on TV, that they use their phones to play favorite music, read or watch the news, send text messages, communicate using Viber or similar apps, and check social media while drinking coffee, it\u2019s clear that all these would be very missed if they wouldn\u2019t be there. We can find out what drones recorded and the latest in robotics. In a second we can learn what is happening in any part of the world, explore potential solutions for important life decisions, get answers, and keep up with events.\nOn the other hand, while we\u2019re looking at pictures of the past with nostalgia, remembering the times when all this did not exist (and everyone was happy and content), we forget that now we don\u2019t have to wait for letters from our loved ones to arrive from far away (thanks to Skype and other similar apps and the ability of everyday audio- visual communication). We find out the location of a trade show we always wanted to attend, a convention that will allow us to network with experts from all over the world, or some other event that is important to us.\n\nWe used to find the time to meet face to face, and technology successfully eliminates this.\nOr does it? Would it really be possible to set aside enough time for meetings, visits, socializing, and all that it replaces, because what\u2019s lacking is time? Life keeps pace with technology and, yet, technology gives us much more than it takes away.\nAs a process, event planning, to a large extent, requires using all available technical means.\nIn fact, it seems impossible to imagine it without everything we mentioned so far. \u201cIf it\u2019s not on social media or the internet – it never happened.\u201d We hear this all the time. This apparent fact of the modern era goes hand in hand with the necessity of the human element because everything that is done is done by people for people.\nTechnology is a medium, a facilitator, rather than a major participant, and that is the boundary that should not be crossed.\nEvents are organized for participants who need to be informed about it. The easiest, fastest, most widespread forms of informing them make use of technology. Without it, information won\u2019t find its way to users. Without this, success is unattainable. Not just the event planner\u2019s success – the potential participants also stand to lose. These times we live in come with requirements.\u00a0Requirements generate needs. Whether any new invention will be accepted and used depends only on one thing – market demand.\nThe market is cruel and it won\u2019t allow anything that does not involve progress or productivity in comparison with preceding products to survive. \nYes, the need for modern technology does exist. And it\u2019s growing by the hour. It grants wishes and increases the need for control.\n\nPerhaps it is control (or its absence) precisely that is the biggest problem because technology is threatening to overpower the human element. Technology has allowed for an allaround control of \u201cother people\u201d and started to serve its own purpose because both the user and those other people are actually controlled. Control moved into the digital space and became a weapon, instead of a tool. The boundary is these, it\u2019s clear and visible. Modern technology is starting to control all aspects of life, sometimes even circumventing ethical principles. This is the sphere of the human element.\nFrom the psychological perspective – and especially the socio-psychological – technology emerges from the need for expansion and networking. As a result, we often see something quite the opposite. Does this feeling of contradiction arise from viewing the virtual world as superficial and not accepting that the virtual world is part of reality?\nThe virtual world is the reality of the modern age, with all its creations. Why do we stop loving and believing in that and those we have created ourselves? If we trust ourselves, we also believe that we are creating something that is significant and good enough.\u00a0It\u2019s up to each individual to decide how much space to allot to virtual content. And each individual is accountable.\n\nThe virtual world has deprived us of the ability to remain uninformed, to justify ourselves by being unaware or not having heard of something. It is sufficiently present for us to be informed. Sometimes it\u2019s even aggressive, but again this concerns the human element, awareness, and conscience and requires staying objective in assessment.\nVirtual reality didn\u2019t rob us of this objectivity, it only brought about the possibility of more choices. The decision is up to us.\nThe power of information is based on prevalence, availability, as well as experience. And there\u2019s no true experience without the human element.\nThe path to successfully attaining goals involves simultaneously applying the benefits of\nmodern technology in conjunction with the human element. Technology is a facilitator, and that is all it should remain.\nDragana Deh, M.Sc. Psychology,\nsystemic therapist, life coach\nwww.psihooaza.com\n \nThe post Users or Being Used? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2017-11-24T13:00:53+01:00", "date_modified": "2017-11-24T13:00:53+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-25.jpg", "tags": [ "Generation Z", "technology", "Experts opinions", "NEWS" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/survey-confirms-technology-leads-development-meetings-events/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/survey-confirms-technology-leads-development-meetings-events/", "title": "Survey Confirms Technology Leads Development in Meetings & Events", "content_html": "Of that group 10.5 percent of professionals always use them for note taking and 31.6 percent use them sometimes. According to the survey for IMEX America, which takes place from 18th to 20th October 2016 in Las Vegas, handwritten notes continue to be the choice of the majority (57.1 percent) while just 0.8 percent record their observations.
\nCarina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, observed: \u201cIn an era when capturing live content on laptops, tablets and smartphones is intrinsic to our working lives, it is interesting to quantify the extent to which they are being used in conferences and meetings at present. With millennials \u201ckeyboarding\u201d virtually everything from an early age, usage is only likely to increase in the near future, particularly as technology evolves.\u201d
\n![\"Carina](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/UPA2027.jpg\")
An additional IMEX Group survey of nearly 1,200 respondents also showed that the technology sector is predicted to deliver the next big innovation in meetings and events. The survey revealed that 40 per cent of hosted buyers, 34.5 per cent of visitors and 37.5 per cent of exhibitors thought technology would drive the next major development in the meetings industry. New apps, virtual meetings and meeting room technology were all cited as examples of how innovation in event technology is making waves across the industry.
\nMeeting professionals can preview some of the latest technology set to impact the way they do business at the #IMEXpitch taking place on 18th October at IMEX America. Event technology start-ups have the opportunity to showcase their products to an audience of event professionals at the show, culminating in five finalists competing in a live head-to-head pitch competition.
\nThe independent expert judging panel all work with event technology on a daily basis and are always looking out for the latest developments as one of the judges, Tara Thomas, co-founder of The Meeting Pool, explains: \u201cIMEX has a long history of being at the forefront of showcasing event tech. The competition is truly where the industry looks for the latest innovations changing the game for event professionals and is also an amazing opportunity for startups to attract significant attention and buzz around their products.\u00a0 I\u2019m excited to be involved this year, and to see what I know will be an incredible lineup of companies.\u201d
\n![\"_upa4333\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/UPA4333.jpg\")
The Meeting Pool is also powering the TECHknowledge Area at IMEX America where experts will deliver targeted technology sessions, TECHbytes, answering questions on hot topics such as Snapchat, Slack, OneNote and wearable technology, and guiding visitors through the latest tech in the Gadget Lab.
\nThe way technology impacts how meeting professionals do business is explored in the comprehensive education programme at the show where some of the 180+ sessions are dedicated to the topic. This includes Future event technology\u2014how will it impact the attendee journey?, New, now and next apps to boost personal and professional productivity and a session by world-renowned hacker Pablos Holman. He is set to deliver one of the daily MPI keynotes, explaining his work exploring new technologies and their potential. Innovate or die trying\u2014from the mind of a world-renown hacker, takes place Wednesday, October 19, 8:30-9:30a.m.
\nCarina Bauer sums up: \u201cTechnology has long led the way in innovation, particularly in the meetings sector. This innovation often comes from start-ups entering the industry and we see many interesting ideas from new businesses through our #IMEXpitch competition, our expert speakers and across the showfloor.\u201d
\nBuyers at IMEX America can meet the experts behind the latest innovations in a series of TechTours running throughout the show. By meeting with selected exhibitors on the show floor, they can discover some of the companies who are leading the way in technology impacting the meetings and event sector.
\nThe post Survey Confirms Technology Leads Development in Meetings & Events appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Research carried out for IMEX America by MPI (Meeting Professionals International), confirms the growing role technology plays in the meetings world, with more than 40 percent of respondents surveyed using laptops or mobile devices to capture content real time.\nOf that group 10.5 percent of professionals always use them for note taking and 31.6 percent use them sometimes. According to the survey for IMEX America, which takes place from 18th to 20th October 2016 in Las Vegas, handwritten notes continue to be the choice of the majority (57.1 percent) while just 0.8 percent record their observations.\nCarina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, observed: \u201cIn an era when capturing live content on laptops, tablets and smartphones is intrinsic to our working lives, it is interesting to quantify the extent to which they are being used in conferences and meetings at present. With millennials \u201ckeyboarding\u201d virtually everything from an early age, usage is only likely to increase in the near future, particularly as technology evolves.\u201d\nCarina Bauer welcomes at\u00a0IMEX America and Smart Monday\nAn additional IMEX Group survey of nearly 1,200 respondents also showed that the technology sector is predicted to deliver the next big innovation in meetings and events. The survey revealed that 40 per cent of hosted buyers, 34.5 per cent of visitors and 37.5 per cent of exhibitors thought technology would drive the next major development in the meetings industry. New apps, virtual meetings and meeting room technology were all cited as examples of how innovation in event technology is making waves across the industry.\nMeeting professionals can preview some of the latest technology set to impact the way they do business at the #IMEXpitch taking place on 18th October at IMEX America. Event technology start-ups have the opportunity to showcase their products to an audience of event professionals at the show, culminating in five finalists competing in a live head-to-head pitch competition.\nThe independent expert judging panel all work with event technology on a daily basis and are always looking out for the latest developments as one of the judges, Tara Thomas, co-founder of The Meeting Pool, explains: \u201cIMEX has a long history of being at the forefront of showcasing event tech. The competition is truly where the industry looks for the latest innovations changing the game for event professionals and is also an amazing opportunity for startups to attract significant attention and buzz around their products.\u00a0 I\u2019m excited to be involved this year, and to see what I know will be an incredible lineup of companies.\u201d\n\nThe Meeting Pool is also powering the TECHknowledge Area at IMEX America where experts will deliver targeted technology sessions, TECHbytes, answering questions on hot topics such as Snapchat, Slack, OneNote and wearable technology, and guiding visitors through the latest tech in the Gadget Lab.\nThe way technology impacts how meeting professionals do business is explored in the comprehensive education programme at the show where some of the 180+ sessions are dedicated to the topic. This includes Future event technology\u2014how will it impact the attendee journey?, New, now and next apps to boost personal and professional productivity and a session by world-renowned hacker Pablos Holman. He is set to deliver one of the daily MPI keynotes, explaining his work exploring new technologies and their potential. Innovate or die trying\u2014from the mind of a world-renown hacker, takes place Wednesday, October 19, 8:30-9:30a.m.\nCarina Bauer sums up: \u201cTechnology has long led the way in innovation, particularly in the meetings sector. This innovation often comes from start-ups entering the industry and we see many interesting ideas from new businesses through our #IMEXpitch competition, our expert speakers and across the showfloor.\u201d\nBuyers at IMEX America can meet the experts behind the latest innovations in a series of TechTours running throughout the show. By meeting with selected exhibitors on the show floor, they can discover some of the companies who are leading the way in technology impacting the meetings and event sector.\nThe post Survey Confirms Technology Leads Development in Meetings & Events appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-10-20T15:59:01+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-10-20T15:59:01+02:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/IMEX-2016-logo-1.jpg", "tags": [ "imex america", "Las Vegas", "MICE", "mpi", "survey", "technology", "Technology" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/unlock-your-room-at-starwood-using-smartphone/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/unlock-your-room-at-starwood-using-smartphone/", "title": "Unlock your room at Starwood using smartphone", "content_html": "SPG\u00ae Keyless is available only to the members of the Starwood\u00a0Preferred Guest\u00ae at all levels and they can use their smartphone\u00a0to check in, get their guest room number, and even unlock the\u00a0guest room door.
\nApplication works through the SPG app, which\u00a0can be downloaded for iPad, iPhone and Android. At this moment\u00a0there are currently 10 properties participating and from\u00a02015, all Aloft\u00ae, ElementSM, and W\u00ae hotels and resorts will\u00a0launch SPG Keyless.
\nTo use SPG Keyless guest must have an SPG\u00a0number, a valid email address, a valid credit card and a registered\u00a0mobile device, reservation must be made for only one room,\u00a0reservation must be made through Starwood websites, mobile\u00a0websites, the SPG apps or the customer call center.
\nThe post Unlock your room at Starwood using smartphone appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., has launched SPG\u00a0Keyless, the hospitality industry\u2019s first mobile, keyless entry system\u00a0allowing guests to use their smartphone as a key.\nSPG\u00ae Keyless is available only to the members of the Starwood\u00a0Preferred Guest\u00ae at all levels and they can use their smartphone\u00a0to check in, get their guest room number, and even unlock the\u00a0guest room door.\nApplication works through the SPG app, which\u00a0can be downloaded for iPad, iPhone and Android. At this moment\u00a0there are currently 10 properties participating and from\u00a02015, all Aloft\u00ae, ElementSM, and W\u00ae hotels and resorts will\u00a0launch SPG Keyless.\nTo use SPG Keyless guest must have an SPG\u00a0number, a valid email address, a valid credit card and a registered\u00a0mobile device, reservation must be made for only one room,\u00a0reservation must be made through Starwood websites, mobile\u00a0websites, the SPG apps or the customer call center.\nThe post Unlock your room at Starwood using smartphone appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-04-14T10:00:37+02:00", "date_modified": "2017-03-22T10:41:55+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Unlock-Your-Room-at-Starwood-Using-Smartphone-eng.jpg", "tags": [ "smart phone", "starwood", "technology", "News and events" ] } ] }