Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

Laptop Etiquette

When attendees enter meetings these days, they often pull out laptops instead of notepads. And why not, it's faster to type and your typewritten notes can be easier to read than your own handwriting. Plus, with wireless Web access, meeting questions can be answered quickly or colleagues can be informed about issues that come up in meetings immediately. However, the same access allows attendees minds and mouses to wander.

A recent New York Times article addressed the effect of laptop usage on meeting etiquette. Examples of poor meeting laptop behavior in the article included sending personal e-mails, passing instant messages and surfing the Web. The article lists a few ways meeting leaders can counteract Web distractions in meetings and also points to a list of the “Seven rules for using laptops in meetings” from Microsoft.com.

I’ve found this behavior is not limited to business meetings. When I was earning my graduate degree, I occasionally brought my laptop to class, which I used for taking notes as well as checking baseball scores. Other classmates were worse about their personal use, and some students became so distracted that one professor eventually banned computers from his class. It seems to me like a laptop etiquette refresher course is definitely in order. But are laptops causing the distraction or are they just a new outlet for meeting boredom; people have been passing notes and doodling in meetings forever. What’s your experience? And what are the solutions you find helpful?

--Ellie M. Bayrd
Assistant Editor
Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

The Doctor is Home

Who knew the days of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman would become a reality once again? More and more doctors are buttoning up their little black bags and hitting the streets. In fact, between 1998 and 2004, the number of house calls made by physicians increased 43 percent, thanks to more portable technology, aging baby boomers and a change in Medicare’s reimbursement program for doctors giving house calls. “Studies have shown that physicians strongly believe that treating patients in their homes will result in improved patient/doctor relationships and better patient care,” says C. Gresham Bayne, M.D., conference chair of the forum, and president of the 700-member American Academy of Home Care Physicians. “Yet, few doctors have formal training in the medical or business sides of house calls and many say they would like more information.” So, for the first time, a unique conference, HouseMD Today, was created for physicians, nurses, practitioners and hospital and health administrators. With four Continuing Medical Education-accredited live conferences already set up this fall in Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and one online seminar, medical professionals can be educated on topics such as medical ethics, insurance issues, reimbursement and the overall house-call trend.

--Amanda Fretheim Gates
Associate Editor
Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

CD Turns 25

The compact disc was first released on Aug. 17, 1982. The question now is, will it be around in 25 more years? Or even 10 years? This article on MSNBC looks at the development of the CD. By 1986 CD players outsold record players and by 1988, CDs outsold records. However, with the invention of music sharing, MP3 players and iPods, will the CD soon meet its demise? Hey, it happened with VHS. Few people thought DVDs would overtake our coveted video tapes (remember the monstrosity known as the laser disc?), but just a few years from now, thanks again to file sharing programs, DVDs could see the end as well. When it comes down to it, 25 years is actually a very long time in today's standards. Today, each new gizmo or gadget had better be the new iPod, or it'll disappear within months. However, even the iPod may not be around very long. As Apple continues to try and top itself each year, who knows? Soon we could be downloading the latest song to a computer chip placed inside our ear.

After reading the article, I wondered, "What about the cassette tape?" It isn't mentioned at all. Even though I was just one year old when the CD entered the market, I was still buying New Kids on the Block cassettes until I was at least 10. Does the CD's 25th birthday bring up any retro memories for you?

--Amanda Fretheim Gates
Associate Editor
Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

New Venue: Picosa

Located in the former Sophia space along Saint Anthony Main, Picosa is the first Nuevo Latino restaurant in downtown Minneapolis. Nosh on Caribbean and Latin American cuisine as you gaze out over the mighty Mississippi, the Stone Arch Bridge and the downtown skyline. Picosa also offers private dinner meeting space for groups up to 50, while two adjacent meeting rooms can hold up to 20 people.

--Amanda Fretheim
Associate Editor
Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

What's in Your Welcome Bag?

As the Star Tribune reported today, more than 200 Republicans arrive in the Twin Cities today as the Republican National Committee meets to make more plans for next year's convention. In addition to electing some important committee members, the group will also check out the hotels and event venues that will be in use come next September, as well as tour the Xcel Energy Center. Senator Norm Coleman and Gov. Pawlenty are both expected to address the committee. The group will also attend receptions at the Science Museum in St. Paul and at Window on Minnesota at the top of Minneapolis' IDS building. So, what do you put in a Welcome Bag for this type of crowd? Well, even though our teams have taken some hits this week, the Twin Cities decided to play up our professional sports. Each bag includes a Twins bobblehead, a Vikings key chain, a Timberwolves cup and a Minnesota Wild hockey puck. So here's a question: If you had to put together a Welcome Bag for this event - or for the 2008 RNC - what would you put in it?

--Amanda Fretheim
Associate Editor
Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal