Meetings Professionals Take Note and Set-Up Shop in Second Life

Today, The Meetings Community (MeCo) opened the doors of its new mega-mansion to the world, giving planning professionals and members of Second Life access to the virtual epicenter for information, education, networking, and expansion within the event and meetings industry.

San Jose, Calif. (PRWEB) April 27, 2007 -- The hottest new thing in social networking is virtually living in it. Last month, Dan Parks acquired prime real estate on Second Life's elite Wilmington Island with a vision in mind that would change the entire event planning and meetings industry forever. Today, The Meetings Community (MeCo), a free online resource environment for meeting and event planners, will open the doors of its 16,384 square meter "MeCo Mansion" to welcome professionals across the world into what will become a very comprehensive collection of information and networking opportunities in the industry.

Second Life (SL) has revolutionized the entire social networking realm. With over 1,625,000 regular users and 5,225,000 residents, it's no wonder this virtual world has the business community's full attention. Each day in Linden, Second Life's metropolis, over $2,000,000 US Dollars are spent. Although Linden is a virtual world, the converted currency is very real and some users are making hundreds of thousands of dollars as entrepreneurs.

"The MeCo Mansion is a great place to share resources and information in a casual, interactive format," says Patti J. Shock, Professor and Chair of Tourism and Convention Administration Department at UNLV. "It is also like a playground. We will be able to meet, walk around, show each other cool or new features, thus developing a rapport."

There are abundant opportunities for networking, events, seminars, workshops, conferences, and major events in Second Life. For members of the event marketing and planning industry, it's simply a creative paradise waiting to be explored.

Corbin Ball, technology wizard and renowned expert, has had the chance to tour the MeCo Mansion in Second Life. As an advocate for technological advancement within the event planning and meetings industry, he was very pleased with the layout.

"Dan Parks has put a huge effort in building the MeCo Mansion," Corbin Ball reveals. "One of the benefits of the mansion is it's focused specifically on the meetings industry, so it will be G-Rated - unlike many other areas of SL. Dan designed tutorial help spots within the mansion, making it a perfect place to try out SL for the first time. Industry professionals can look forward to upcoming video screenings, links, and expert rooms."

One step into the halls of the MeCo Mansion and you'll understand the excitement. It is a meeting professional's dream. Each of the 16 rooms within the mansion was designed to provide an optimal environment and resources for meeting and planning professionals. Parks has ever aspect of the industry covered by dedicating rooms to the education, networking, entertainment, and information for all visitors.

In terms of educational material, the resources are plentiful. Whether you are a veteran planner of a young person in seeking more info about different career opportunities, the MeCo Mansion is the place to be. As if the vanishing swimming pool in the middle of the foyer weren't enough, some of MeCo Mansion's amenities include:

The Education Station and Industry Resource Room: Guests are able to find Universities and Colleges that offer classes and degrees in Meeting Planning, and info on topics such as "How To Get Industry Designations"

Corbin Ball's Den of Technology: Houses the Meeting Industry Tech guru's favorite links and articles

The MeCo Law Library: Where you can view articles, links, and websites on legal matters

The GameRoom: A non-marketing environment with card tables, full bar, and vanishing walls that transform into an outdoor environment

The MeCo Theatre: Includes a gigantic viewing screen and ample seating

Conference Room: Complete with multi-media applications, state of the art equipment and luxury boardroom seating

"Once you are in there, you start the see the possibilities - such as ways to have pre or post meetings online after a national conference," explains Shock. "Associations could hold Board Meetings, thus saving time and travel expenses."

With a bustling nightlife, booming development, and a massive economy, the business opportunities in this virtual world are endless. Investors have quickly honed in on the possibilities for their companies. Big names like IBM, GM, and Reuters have secured massive real estate and encourage their real life employees to explore Second Life's opportunities. Due to such an expanding population and luxurious lifestyles, there are numerous conventions, seminars, weddings, and special events for residents.

"Many companies and associations already are using Second Life to hold meetings, and I anticipate that this is just the tip of a coming "virtual life" meetings iceberg," explains Sue Pelletier, editor of Association Meetings. "It just makes sense that meeting planners add Second Life skills to their repertoire. Thanks to MeCo, they now have an easy way to get their virtual feet wet while accessing a mansion full of great planning information."

Unlike typical phone conferences where voices are bouncing back and forth over speaker phones or web cams, meetings in Second Life are transformed into virtual experiences. SL allows members to create digital replicas of what they may look like as an avatar. Therefore, users can then meet with colleagues and other professionals in virtual offices and restaurants where they can talk, learn, and interact with each other in a surreal state.

"I see it has possibilities as an exciting, interesting alternative to standard conference calls and meetings," shares Dan Parks, MeCo Mansion creator and Monday MeCo Moderator. "I believe the Mansion will be a constant work in progress. I plan to add features and activities that will bring new planners in and keep people coming back again & again."

The response so far to the possibilities SL offers has been great. "Yes, I love it. Several people, including Dan Parks, have taken me around to see places like the IBM conference room," says Patti Shock. "There is a learning curve with any new technology, but I am an early adopter of technology. I think the MeCo Mansion will take off once people understand the countless possibilities and learn how to navigate the system."

When Dan isn't giving tours of the MeCo Mansion, he can be found with is feet kicked up on his massive desk in his office, surrounded by priceless Picasso paintings. If it's a warm day on Wilmington Island, you just might catch him covered in sunscreen and taking part in water sports on the pristine beaches nearby.

Parks hopes that the next generation of meeting planners out there will reap the benefits offered at the new residence. At MeCo Mansion they can meet real life meeting planners and have the chance to network and learn firsthand from industry experts, who otherwise would be difficult to meet. And unlike the real world, they may decide afterwards to go have a blast at the water park.

Planning professionals can be on the lookout for future technology at the MeCo Mansion to include SL members having access to the video browsing in the MeCo Theatre. MeCo plans to keep an ongoing collection of videos of potential keynote speakers available so planners can watch demo tapes prior to making selections.

With nothing to lose and so many opportunities to gain, visiting the new MeCo Mansion is certainly worth the time. Corbin Ball offers a bit of advice for interested users, "It can be addictive, however, so watch out!"

Tour the MeCo Mansion today at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wilmington/165/150/31 .

For more information on how to join MeCo, please visit www.meetingscommunity.org .

About The Meetings Community (MeCo)

The Meetings Community (MeCo) is a free online destination for meeting planners and suppliers to discuss the issues surrounding the meeting and hospitality industries. After years of experience in the meeting and hospitality industries, James Louis, Loretta Lowe, Dan Parks, Jean Travers, Sue Walton, and William Youngs saw a groundbreaking opportunity to connect the planning management community on a global scale. MeCo is a free service; membership is open to all meeting and event planners and suppliers from around the world and encompasses all aspects of the industry. MeCo was launched to educate and foster the sharing of information on issues that affect meeting and hospitality professionals.

Contact:

Dan Parks

President/Creative Director of Corporate Planners Unlimited, Inc.

Monday MeCo Moderator

Phone: 949 289-5002

Second Life Screename: DanParks Voom

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