1. Unit Nine
Meeting Technology

2. Background information
There are various kinds of new meeting technology
Many meetings, conventions and expositions need only traditional audiovisual equipment, such as projection media, non-projection media

3. Overhead projection
Overhead projectors operate on the principle of passing an intense light through a transparent slide, the image is then passed through a mirrored lens and reflected on the screen.
It requires a projection screen to be set up on the front of the room, visibility may be limited due to room obstructions or distance to the back of the room.
The recent technological development of it is the introduction of LCD projection panel.

4. Slide projection
It accommodate transparent pictures mounted in 2-by-2-inch cardboard frames, the image is projected onto a screen by passing a strong light through the transparent pictures.

5. White board
It used dry-erase markers instead of messy chalk, it can be wiped clean with simple eraser, leaves no chalk dust

6. Flip chart It consists of a pad of paper mounted on an easel.
It is used to record thoughts and ideas from the audience or key points.

7. videoconferencing Definition
It is a telecommunication system that combines audio and video media that provides both voice communication and motion video images.
Advantages and disadvantages
It can cause the demise of hotels and conference centers.
It would also eliminate the need for air travel, food and lodging expenses.
There is no substitution for the human interaction side of meetings.

8. Technology in the planning phase
There are dozens of software package useful, such as the products for general registration, room setup, association membership coordination, desktop publishing, budgeting, exhibit services, research and evaluation, logistics management, nametags, marketing and so on.

9. Online registration
It allows the attendees to update their personal data.
It can accurately reflect attendees’ preferences.
It can reduce the data redundancies and typos.
It also reduces the registration staff needed.

10. Exhibit sales Exhibitors and vendor management Floor plan design
Booth sales
Inventory management
Electronic brochure distribution
On-site communication
Lead retrieval
Modules for creating virtual trade shows with enhanced e-commerce capabilities

11. Site selection
Selecting the hotel or resort where a meeting will be held can be greatly simplified on the computer.
Using the planner’s criteria, a database consisting of hundreds of properties can be accessed to provide a comprehensive list of the properties that will meet the needs of the group

12. Room layouts
The planners can design a room layout that incorporates actual features of the room: pillars, podium, stage, or registration area

13. Email, chat rooms and instant messaging
worldwide access, low-cost connect fees, ease of use, it also has the risk of unleashing harmful computer viruses.
Chat rooms: a component of a virtual meeting
Instant messaging: it allows you to instantly chat with anyone also online when you are