A new book that seeks to highlight the power of
face-to-face meetings following the pandemic has launched as part of an event
in Coventry.
Meeting design expert Eric de Groot launched ‘Meetings by
Default or by Design’ at Warwick Conferences at the University of Warwick
during a familiarisation trip in the city organised by Conference Coventry and
Warwickshire.
It marked the UK launch for the book, which provides advice
and guidance to meeting organisers on how to deliver effective face-to-face
events in the wake of the pandemic.
‘Meetings by Default or By Design’ is de Groot’s second
major publication, following ‘Into the Heart of Meetings’ in 2013.
The author led an interactive session where he highlighted
key themes from the new workbook with attendees and discussed suggested
improvements for delivery of face-to-face and hybrid meetings.
Paul Bartlett, director of Warwick Conferences, said: “It
was a privilege to have been offered the opportunity to host Eric’s book
launch, particularly as the subject is one close to our hearts. After an understandably
cautious re-introduction, we have been delighted to see face-to-face meetings
rise to the top of many event organisers’ agendas, however, the meeting itself
must be valuable to attendees.
“As discussed in Eric’s book, team building and learning and
development work best when they’re organised in person. As a business, we have
always been focused on creating memorable experiences – whether that’s for a
book launch or a corporate away day – and Eric has inspired us to carry on our
philosophy.”
The three-day familiarisation trip saw delegates visit
venues around the region. It included visits to Ashorne Hill, Coombe Abbey
Hotel, the British Motor Museum, Heart of England Conference and Events Centre,
and around Coventry city centre, with visits to Coventry Cathedral, Herbert Art
Gallery & Museum to see Dippy, and St Mary’s Guildhall.
The weekend also included a visit to Coventry Building
Society Arena to see Coventry City play, as well as a poker masterclass at its
onsite Grosvenor Casino.
Conference Coventry & Warwickshire is part of
destination management organisation (DMO) Destination Coventry.
Claire England, senior destination manager at Destination
Coventry, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome delegates from across the UK to
Coventry to see everything our conference, meetings and exhibitions sector has
to offer.
“We are thriving as a destination for meetings and events.
Eric is a pioneer in the meetings industry and it is testament to the strength
of our area that he chose Coventry and Warwickshire as the region to launch
this new book.”
