Here at Northumbria, we are surrounded by research, innovation and discoveries. Just this week, this brilliant news landed in our mailboxes 'New technology could see solar panels integrated into windows and cladding' and it is this continual flow of new ideas that can boost motivation and creativity.
Now, I have attended a whole host of webinars that cause light bulb moments and extra pushes when motivation seems to be running low, but why is it that an in-person event is so crucial to creative thinking and innovation?
This line of thought was brought on by British Science Week, in which the acknowledgement of the return to face-to-face teaching for students across the UK was highlighted and so we investigated and applied this to the events industry and found three main reasons why in-person events can encourage creative thinking.
Reason One: Body Language
From eye contact to your stance, smiling to open arms and encouraging gestures, body language is priceless when it comes to engaging an audience. Whilst conveying information is an important aspect of a lesson, conference or meeting, inspiration and innovation are essential to the application and progression of your message. The latter is closely coupled with positive body language and is somewhat more difficult through a webcam. In-person events, through a live speaker, can therefore offer a whole host of inspiration, motivation and engagement with the individual as well as their message.
"Positive body language ... has the ability to motivate, inspire and engage." Everfi.com
Reason Two: Getting to the finish line
The allure of a night away in a new city, delicious catering and meeting new and familiar faces, coupled with an inability to turn off their webcam, encourages individuals to engage in real-time rather than catching up on demand. Interactive features of live events, such as lights, visuals and the audience itself allow for creative juices to flow and innovative thinking to kick in.
Reason Three: Networking
Whilst live chats accompanying online events allows for direct questions regarding the content of a webinar, networking amongst colleagues is invaluable. The trading of information, trends and genuine, passionate conversation about your corner of the world has endless benefits, whether it's improving your contacts throughout your industry, boosting your communicative skills or just having a good catch up!
The adaptation and transformation of in-person to online teaching and events is a true testament to how versatile many sectors of the UK are, however, a common theme through-out is a want for the return to some degree of normality through in-person education and innovation. This will, in some ways be easier said than done, as individuals may come with new worries and concerns about the health risks involved.
"... every[one] brings with them a mixed bag of personal experience, knowledge, needs and emotions that affect their capacity to engage in lessons." britishscienceweek.org
However, just in the same way we have slowly adapted to working from home and self-isolation, we can hope that in-person, human interaction can, someday return to our lives, carrying with it, the huge advantages this provides to educating and inspiring those around us.
Ailsa Ingham, Conference & Events Administrator, Venues at Northumbria