--- title: "Social Media Roundup: The Science of Conference Layouts" id: "16431" type: "post" slug: "social-media-roundup-the-science-of-conference-layouts" published_at: "2013-03-15T21:50:26+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T19:04:20+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/03/15/social-media-roundup-the-science-of-conference-layouts/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/03/15/social-media-roundup-the-science-of-conference-layouts.md" excerpt: "Arrange your conference’s layout to create a more intimate environment for attendees and speakers. Also: Can we rely on social media and technology for human connectivity?" taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Aspiring Leader" - "AssociationsNow" - "conference layouts" - "event planning" - "meeting design" - "Meetings" - "Mid-Level Professional" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Director" - "Manager" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Social Media Roundup: The Science of Conference Layouts Tired of the same old stage? Move things around to increase effectiveness. Your attendees will thank you. Some ways to improve your meeting layouts, and more, in today’s Social Media Roundup: ### What’s in a layout? > Is you room layout hurting the success of your meeting? [#eventprofs (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/eventprofs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > [http://t.co/oL3jfrcYai (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/oL3jfrcYai) > > — Apella (@ApellaNY) [March 15, 2013 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/ApellaNY/status/312646092288311296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **If you’re in a conference and you can’t see the stage,** how can you focus on what the speaker is saying? Every meeting and conference has its own qualities and priorities. When it comes to educational or media conferences for instance, your attendees may need a table for note-taking or for their mobile devices. Seating may be an issue depending on the size of your session. Mitra Sorrells, associate editor for BizBash, Jeff Hurt, executive vice president of Velvet Chainsaw Consulting, and Joan Eisenstodt, owner of Eisenstodt Associates, reveal some secrets for [designing an effective space for your next conference (opens in a new tab)](http://www.bizbash.com/is_your_room_layout_killing_your_meeting/new-york/story/25454#sthash.xlfLw1L9.5Af77xzx.dpbs) . “Most conferences are about efficiency of transfer of information. They are not about effectiveness of learning,” Hurt said. “So if it’s just about the information leaving the speaker’s mouth and hitting the attendees’ ears, do what you’ve always done. But if you want learning to occur, if you want improvement in attitude, behaviors, and skills, then you must change the way you do things.” *(ht [@ApellaNY (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/ApellaNY/status/312646092288311296) )* ### Face-To-Face > Can Social Media Be A Bridge To Real Meaningful Relationships? [http://t.co/NneHXNVxvU (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/NneHXNVxvU) > [#speaking (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/speaking?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#cmp (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/cmp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#mpi (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/mpi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#eventprofs (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/eventprofs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#socialmedia (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/socialmedia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — allankarl (@allankarl) [March 15, 2013 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/allankarl/status/312646030376194048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **As videoconferencing and communication technologies improve,** meeting others in your industry has become easier, but only in the virtual sphere. How much can you connect with others if you’ve never met them face-to-face? Speaker and entrepreneur Allan Karl [thinks it can get pretty hard to rely on social media and other technologies for building relationships. (opens in a new tab)](http://www.allankarl.com/social-media-relationships/) “While I am a huge fan and user of technology and have embraced and followed social media trends and technology since 2001, I can’t help but think that in a business where professional speakers, trainers and coaches are hired to connect with people—to help them lead, think, sell, grow and be more inspired, motivated and productive—is moving further and further away from truly connecting,” Karl writes. *(ht [@allankarl (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/allankarl/status/312646030376194048) )* What cool things have you been sharing today? Let us know in the comments. (Photodisc/Thinkstock) [Anita Ferrer](https://associationsnow.com/author/anita-ferrer/) Anita Ferrer is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/anita-ferrer/) Tags: [#Aspiring Leader](https://associationsnow.com/tag/aspiring-leader/) [#conference layouts](https://associationsnow.com/tag/conference-layouts/) [#event planning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/event-planning/) [#meeting design](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meeting-design/) [#Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meetings/) [#Mid-Level Professional](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mid-level-professional/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoTerin Bates, MBA, CAE, CX-PRO, Shares Her Experience at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 18, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/18/terin-bates-mba-cae-cx-pro-shares-her-experience-at-the-2026-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) - [VideoThe Adaptive Leader: Integrating Values and Strategy to Thrive Under New LeadershipDecember 15, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/15/the-adaptive-leader-integrating-values-and-strategy-to-thrive-under-new-leadership/) - [ArticleBack to Basics: Why Relationship Building Is the New Innovation for Future-Proofing Association MeetingsSeptember 15, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/09/15/back-to-basics-why-relationship-building-is-the-new-innovation-for-future-proofing-association-meetings/) - [VideoASAE DELP Reunion 2025 & Introduction of New ClassAugust 18, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/18/asae-delp-reunion-2025-introduction-of-new-class/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2013%2F03%2F15%2Fsocial-media-roundup-the-science-of-conference-layouts%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !