Almost 18,000 trade visitors, 770 exhibitors, and around 90% decision-makers – the Future of Work Europe 2018 in Cologne is definitely a trade fair that appeals to many. Despite the immense size, we found that we are not so different after all.
Seize the opportunity for a change of perspective!
Our tip for your next trade fair visit: Talk to as many different people as possible, even if they don’t seem like "useful" conversation partners at first glance. An open-minded attitude and a change of perspective give you, as a trainer or coach, the opportunity to better understand the perspective of companies. In return, as a personnel developer, you will learn more about the living environment and the associated challenges of trainers.
Industry media often assume that companies pursue goals such as digitalization, increasing efficiency, or big data. These three aspects ranked in the top 3 of corporate investments in a survey by managerSeminare two years ago.
And trainers? Often find themselves "fighting" against exactly such goals and want to put people more in the foreground. Employee development instead of new machines, face-to-face training instead of e-learning.
Even though both sides may seem very opposite at first glance: At trade fairs like the Future of Work Europe, you have the opportunity to engage in direct conversation with the other side. Perhaps, like us, you will realize that these two worlds are not so contrary and that they share a common goal.
Moreover, a change of perspective helps to gain more understanding for companies and trainers, which in turn will facilitate collaboration. In the long run, companies need to generate profits. And what could represent a better foundation for financial stability than successful employees?
Trade Fair Highlight at #ZPEurope18: A goal unites us all
Anyone involved in the continuing education of personnel wants to reach successful participants. Whether trainers, personnel developers, or software providers – we are all united by a passion for impactful continuing education. Only the role we play in this is different.
Personnel developers / providers / trainers
Successful participants in continuing education
The atmosphere from the GSA Convention was also evident at the Future of Work Europe: We are part of a whole, and together we pull in the same direction. And this is despite the different dimensions, as the setting at the Future of Work featured two large exhibition halls on two floors, which was significantly larger.
This feeling of a common goal motivates us even more to tackle the coming months with full speed!
Around our stand at the Future of Work Europe 2018.
Excitement and curiosity for new methods
It wasn’t only the common goal of the diverse trade fair visitors that impressed us. The atmosphere of curiosity and a hands-on mentality, simply trying new things, was also contagious.
Filming Live Videos with a Smartphone
Even before heading to the Future of Work Europe, Konstantin had planned to record conversations with continuing education experts using his smartphone.
And he was by no means the only one: For instance, Sandra Baggeler from SeminarZentrum Gut Keuchhof approached him directly to shoot a short live video for social networks. Her words to Konstantin were: “I specially bought this selfie stick. Could you hold it while we do a live interview?” – Of course, Konstantin was immediately on board, as you can see as a result on Facebook later on.
Additionally, Stefan Lapenat, Nicole Mast, and many others reported live from the trade fair on Facebook and other platforms. Simply trying new things, this core thought connected many diverse participants at the Future of Work Europe.
Business coach Jürgen Hollstein invited two people for a spontaneous live video: Michael Witzke from blink.it and Robert Jahrstorfer from Mobile GmbH Training for Professionals. The following picture shows all three in the exciting making-of! This live video is still available online – on the Facebook page of Jürgen Hollstein.
Live video with a smartphone from the Future of Work Europe 2018. From left to right: Michael Witzke, Robert Jahrsdorfer, and Jürgen Hollstein.
Common Topics at the Trade Fair Booth
This shared enthusiasm was also evident among visitors to the Future of Work Europe at the blink.it booth and after the keynote presentations. Both personnel developers from large companies and independent trainers and coaches are dealing with questions about the implementation of blended learning, which became quite clear again.
Konstantin Ristl during one of his lectures in the trade fair area of the BDVT at the Future of Work Europe 2018.
You are really everywhere!
This feedback reached us repeatedly from different people who had already met us at other trade fairs, conventions, or barcamps. Yes, we are indeed everywhere, and we are happy to meet more familiar faces with every event.
Some were surprised to hear that the blink.it employees are not trainers themselves, but rather sell software. For us, this is essentially the highest compliment you can give us! Because it shows that only the form or the role distinguishes us, and we are all working towards a common goal: successful participants in continuing education.
Do you share our passion for continuing education? Here are our upcoming event tips:
| When | What | Where || ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- || September 27/28, 2018 | Corporate Learning Camp | Kassel || October 9, 2018 | HR Innovation Roadshow | Stuttgart || October 27, 2018 | Gabals Impulse Days | Hagen || January 29 to 31, 2019 | Learntec | Karlsruhe || March 22/23, 2019 | Trainer Congress | Berlin || April 5/6, 2019 | Petersberger Trainer Days | Petersberg |
Couldn’t make it to the Future of Work this year? Then I hope this report was able to give you an impression of the atmosphere in the trade fair halls in Cologne. Perhaps you were also there and can relate to this feeling of a common goal.
The time was tight despite the three full days! If you want to learn more about our vision for blended learning and what you should consider when shooting short videos with a smartphone, please visit our new page on learning materials and guidelines! We look forward to your questions and hope to see you at the latest next year at the Future of Work 2019!
