This is an opportunity to immerse your team in the best thought leadership and best practices in the AEC industry.
Now that we are six months (and counting) into this COVID world, many could claim fatigue from endless Zoom meetings. Although I can relate, the reality is that virtual meetings are the way we connect during this time, and that connection is extremely critical. Our biggest “connecting” event is our annual conference, Elevate AEC, which posted our largest audience last year in Las Vegas with more than 400 attendees. The pillars of the event have been and continue to be Network, Learn, and Celebrate. Although those elements happen more naturally and easily in person, it doesn’t mean they can’t happen in a virtual environment. In fact, instead of viewing virtual as “plan B,” it’s an opportunity to say, “What can we do now that we couldn’t do in the traditional event?” It provided us the solution for Elevate AEC this year. This mindset can also be a powerful way for you to approach your business during this time. Instead of hitting the pause button on important initiatives, how can you do all of those things better with the current circumstances?
- The show must go on. The mission of Elevate AEC, to elevate the industry, must continue, and 2020 will be the biggest experience we’ve ever been able to offer. The 2020 Elevate AEC Virtual Experience will be an eight-week event, providing attendees powerful thought leadership and networking opportunities through highly produced live interactions. It includes both free and paid premium options.
- The free Elevate AEC experience. Everything that was a part of the original in-person event is going to be free, something that is not feasible with hotel, travel, and all of the other costs of a traditional event. As a result, the networking, learning, and celebration aspects are enhanced by a larger audience that has no travel or registration costs as a barrier. It kicks off September 30th with our inaugural ElevateHer Symposium, which is going to powerfully establish the purpose of the event to elevate the industry, transforming our ability to recruit and retain in the AEC industry.
- Something else we’ve never been able to do. Feedback from previous conferences included people wanting more training and thought leadership from Zweig Group and other industry leaders, something that was difficult to add to an already 2+ day conference. Training is also one of the top areas of AEC firm operations that has suffered due to COVID-19 (see the Impacts of COVID-19 on the AEC Industry Report). Now, we are able to provide this, and spread it out over eight weeks so people can get what they need only spending a few hours a day or week. We have to charge for this because this is our business, but it is an incredible deal. The paid premium experience offers unlimited access to an expanded array of exclusive seminars, webinars, keynote speeches, mini-conferences, roundtables, panel discussions, topical happy hours, workshops, and other premium learning and networking opportunities. It includes access to all of our well-known seminars: The Principals Academy, CEO Roundtables, Elevating Doer-Sellers, Leadership Skills for AEC Professionals, Project Management Training, M&A Next, and more.
- Network, learn, and celebrate like never before. With the elimination of travel, hotel, meal costs, and a lower overall price point, you can now network with more firms and learn and celebrate with your team or entire firm. We’ve got enterprise licenses available to give your entire firm access to the entire experience. Use this opportunity to immerse your team in the best thought leadership and best practices in the AEC industry. I hope to see you and your team networking, learning, and celebrating throughout the eight-week Elevate AEC experience. Collectively, we will elevate the industry!
Chad Clinehens is Zweig Group’s president and CEO. Contact him at cclinehens@zweiggroup.com.
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