Want more satisfaction, wow experiences and breakthrough collaborative moments at your events? Then create the ideal circumstances for the production of oxytocin in your attendees.

What if your family extended all over the world? What if your professional life was much more than "just business" and connected you to something greater than yourself?

Paul Cook is what I would call an eventophile. He runs an event insurance company and an online resource for event professionals; volunteers for event associations such as MPI and is always working on some project that will help event professionals to succeed and create better events. 

Even before I got to Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz California last weekend for W2W 2011, I was aware it was a special place.  The invitation to this open space conference for event industry women was filled with references to the beauty, the relaxing ambience and the willingness of the staff to go the extra mile for the group.  W2W has taken place at Chaminade every year since the inception of the conference in 2004. 

Imagine a conference community in which you are warmly welcomed online weeks before the event.

I'm not talking about the obligatory online event community where lip service is paid to pre-networking and the only information you receive is from conference organizers who send out the occasional press release.  I'm talking about a living, breathing community that has been in existence for years, yet welcomes you, a newbie, with open arms.

There you are encouraged to share about yourself, your personal life, interests, hobbies - even what kind of personality you are.  You are also encouraged to learn about the others who will be attending the conference.

In recent years I've noticed that those who are willing to be vulnerable, reap great rewards both personally and professionally. They take risks and fully commit to whatever it is they want to do. They are also less afraid of failure, accepting it as just another step toward their goals.

1 - Event Camp Twin Cities - A little video album

Last week's Event Camp Twin Cities set out to help bring innovation, collaboration and experimentation to the events industry landscape and, as a participant, it was easy to see this at every turn.