Hailed as the World’s Leading Business Strategist, award-winning professional speaker, management consultant and business strategist Scott Steinberg is the creator of “What’s the Future of…?” — a new series of board games that can teach anyone to be more creative, innovative and resilient. Among today’s best-known trends experts and futurists, he’s been a strategic adviser to over 2,000 brands and is the bestselling author of “The New Rules of Business Development,” “Think Like a Futurist” and “Make Change Work for You.” He is also the president and CEO of BIZDEV: The International Association for Business Development and Strategic Partnerships™. His website is FuturistsSpeakers.com.

In a time when audiences are being bombarded with headlines, articles and talking points, information spreads rapidly, and misinformation can cause real damage. Companies must be extra-vigilant in making efforts to protect their meeting and event programs from the infiltration of fake news and false information.

Whether in-person or virtual, mass gatherings of thought leaders and audiences are prime opportunities for sharing knowledge, building relationships and shaping opinions. But as such, they can also become prime targets for those seeking to spread disinformation. Thankfully, as a MICE industry pro, you can employ a few simple hints, tips and strategies to ensure the integrity of discussions and presentations shared at your meetings and events.

Rigorous Speaker and Content Vetting

The first line of defense against misinformation in event programs is a thorough vetting process for speakers and content. Meeting planners should:

• Implement a stringent selection process for speakers, including background checks and credential verification
• Review all presentation materials in advance, fact-checking key claims and statistics
• Require speakers to provide sources for their information, especially for controversial or cutting-edge topics
• Consider using a panel of experts to review content for accuracy and relevance

By carefully scrutinizing who speaks and what is presented, companies can significantly reduce the risk of misinformation entering their programs.

Establish Clear Guidelines for Presentations

Creating and communicating clear guidelines for presenters can help maintain the integrity of information shared. These guidelines should:

• Emphasize the importance of factual accuracy and the use of reputable sources
• Discourage the use of unverified or sensational claims
• Require clear labeling of opinion-based content versus factual information
• Specify the process for addressing audience questions about controversial topics

Providing these guidelines well in advance allows speakers to align their content with the company’s standards for information integrity.

Incorporate Real-Time Fact-Checking

For larger events or those covering sensitive topics, consider implementing real-time fact-checking mechanisms:

• Employ a team of fact-checkers to monitor presentations and panel discussions
• Use technology solutions that allow for quick verification of claims made during sessions
• Establish a protocol for addressing and correcting misinformation if it occurs during an event

Real-time fact-checking can prevent the spread of false information and demonstrate the company’s commitment to truth and accuracy.

Educate Attendees on Critical Thinking and Media Literacy

Empowering attendees to critically evaluate information can create a more resilient audience. Consider:

• Offering pre-event workshops on media literacy and fact-checking techniques
• Providing resources and tools for verifying information shared during the event
• Encouraging attendees to ask questions and seek clarification on presented information

By fostering a culture of critical thinking, companies can reduce the impact of any misinformation that might slip through other safeguards.

Leverage Technology for Information Verification

Using technology can enhance efforts to maintain information integrity:

• Implement AI-powered tools to scan presentation materials for potential inaccuracies
• Use blockchain or similar technologies to verify the authenticity of presented data or research findings
• Employ sentiment analysis tools to monitor social media discussions related to the event, identifying potential misinformation trends

New tech solutions can offer additional protection against the spread of fake news within event programs.

Create a Robust Moderation Strategy for Q&A Sessions

Question-and-answer sessions can be vulnerable to the spread of misinformation. To mitigate this risk:

• Train moderators to identify and tactfully address potentially false or misleading statements
• Establish a process for vetting audience questions before they are asked publicly
• Prepare speakers to address common misconceptions in their field
• Have a fact-checking resource readily available during Q&A sessions

Effective moderation can prevent misinformation from gaining traction through audience interactions.

Develop a Rapid Response Plan for Misinformation Incidents

Despite best efforts, misinformation may sometimes enter event programs. Having a plan in place to address such incidents is crucial:

• Create a dedicated team responsible for monitoring and responding to potential misinformation
• Develop pre-approved messaging templates for various scenarios
• Establish clear channels for quickly disseminating corrections or clarifications
• Train staff on how to address misinformation with attendees in a professional and nonconfrontational manner

A well-prepared response can minimize the impact of misinformation and maintain the event’s credibility.

Foster Transparency in Sponsored Content and Presentations

When incorporating sponsored content or industry-funded research, transparency is critical:

• Clearly label all sponsored sessions or content in the event program
• Require speakers to disclose any relevant financial interests or affiliations
• Provide context for industry-funded research, including information on the study’s methodology and limitations

Transparency helps attendees evaluate information critically and maintains the integrity of the event.

Long story short: By taking these and other steps, firms can ensure that their meetings and events remain trusted sources of knowledge and valuable platforms for professional growth and networking, untainted by the corrosive effects of misinformation. C&IT