Technology giant to reveal virtual secrets of Global Sales Experience at IMEX

Meetings industry professionals keen to learn about the challenges involved in staging virtual events will be able to hear the inside track on Cisco's landmark 2009 Global Sales Experience in March.

As part of the IMEX Meetings for Success webinar series, the technology giant’s global sales experience manager, Angie Smith, will talk in detail about the entirely virtual event, which included more than 200 content sessions, an alternative reality game and various mini games.

More than 19,000 employees attended the annual Global Sales Experience over four days in September 2009. They participated from 89 countries spanning 24 time zones and also gathered in 600 Cisco conference rooms worldwide. The planning lead-time for the global event was just 20 weeks.

"We are delighted that Angie will be sharing her insight into this unique event which took place on an extraordinary global scale and represents something of a watershed moment in meetings industry history,” said IMEX Group chief executive Carina Bauer.

“So many professionals in the industry are currently struggling with what, when, if and how to blend virtual technology with face-to-face meetings and events. Clearly this debate remains a hot one, but it won't go away easily and there is a strong desire to learn as much as possible.

“Virtual meetings demand huge technological support and experience,” she continued. “This will be a great opportunity to lift the lid on a truly pioneering event and to learn some invaluable lessons from a company at the forefront of 21st century technology."

The free webinar will take place on 3 March. A recorded version of the webinar will also be made available free of charge afterwards.

For more on Meetings for Success, visit www.imex-frankfurt.com