About PlannerWire

PlannerWire is a blog about the meetings and events industry authored by Keith Johnston that includes posts from a few amazingly awesome contributors that are somewhat like minded and equally freaking awesome.

So what is PlannerWire About:

Believing that any meeting, conference, incentive or event has the power to change the world, one person at a time
Having the guts to build a better meeting, conference, incentive, trade show or other event using new media
About getting over the fear of technology (it is just a tool)
Being brave enough to create events that are sustainable, green or earthy crunchy… whatever you want to call it. We are screwing up the planet, let’s create events that have as little impact as possible
About loving your attendees again by creating programs that they will actually like and want to attend
About going out there and creating events that you are proud of
Understanding that you should face all of your challenges head on but also with a grain of salt, a little humor and a lot of sarcasm
Realizing that most people are idiots, myself included and especially the guy down the hall
Not believing what people tell you, ask for proof

Here are some posts that will give you an idea of how I think:

Here is a little of the “third person” description:

Keith Johnston consults professionally with associations, corporations and start-ups regarding meeting and event planning, production, social media and technology.

He has been featured and quoted in interviews, features and has written articles for or appeared in industry magazines including Event Solutions, Meeting News, Plan Your Meetings and was featured on the cover of Midwest Meetings Magazine (see cool picture).

He has spoken at multiple industry events on topics ranging from planning green meetings to social media strategy and in 2010, the blog, Industry Thoughts was nominated for an EventProfs blog award.

Keith has over 15 years experience planning and producing meetings, conferences, trade shows and incentive programs for companies and associations such as the Microsoft, Cisco Systems, the Economist, The State Bar of California, Pepsi Cola and many more.

He has over 10 years experience in integrating real world events with online technologies including web, social media, and related platforms.

You and this Blog:

I hope that you find this site interesting and that it helps you in your daily life as a meeting and event professional, I also hope that you may laugh your ass off occasionally while reading or become so furious about something that it makes you pick up the phone and call a congressman (or woman).

I expressly reserve the right to delete any comments at my whim if I feel that what you have posted is offensive, nasty or hateful.

Feel free to criticize, no worries, I can take it and have been known to change my mind based on well reasoned arguments and passionate pleas. I am open minded so unless you are nasty, mean or hateful in your critique, it will stand unedited and may even provide fodder for future follow ups and posts.

Here is the standard legalese:

This blog expresses Keith’s personal opinions and not the opinions of anyone else. He writes it, it is his opinion. He has yet to interview anyone, but if he does, then there will be an exception to this rule, their opinion will be their opinion and his opinion will be his opinion. The same holds true for our contributors, their opinion is their opinion.

Disclosure:

This site occasionally features paid advertisements from companies that we respect and for products we use
I do not take money for any review I may give for a product, destination, hotel or whatever
I am an affiliate of many products that I use and some links on this website are affiliate links. Do not worry, I only recommend products that I like or use.
I am an affiliate of Event Espresso, a great product that gives your WordPress site magical powers to become a full fledged registration site
We maintain a Job Search Site run by Job A Matic and the widget is on the homepage of this site. We receive compensation for clicks and for help wanted listings.
I attend Fam Trips sponsored by many different destinations, hotel companies and others. I then write about the destinations both good and bad. If the destination or hotel sucks, I will say so.
Because I influence the purchasing of clients, I attend some trade shows as a hosted buyer if I have a need, I attend others as a member of the “social media” or press and some I just attend.
I am a board member of the Chicago Chapter of Site International and actively promote becoming a member

You can learn about other sites I publish and information here: Check out my about.me profile!