The Revitalization of the Conference Room
The Initial Decline:
The technology boom of the 1990’s created a modern digital way of conducting business. People could work from anywhere thanks to the widespread increase of cellular phone usage. This advancement allowed for everyone to participate in any meeting no matter their location. Although the value of constant communication allowed for more people to be involved in more decisions and brainstorming sessions, it led to a de-emphasis on face to face meetings. The ability to communicate more readily leads to more people working from smaller satellite offices and home offices. As a result the use of conference rooms started to decline.
The Evolving Technology:
As technology continued to advance, the internet became a critical part of creating meeting forums. A number of companies that specialized in creating online meeting environments started to become extremely popular. These websites allowed people to talk while viewing a presentation, via the internet, at the same time. The World Wide Web also gave rise to video conferencing. People could now see each other and speak to each other in real time despite being thousands of miles apart. As this technology continued to improve, modern offices began to start utilizing conference rooms once again. However, instead of basic white boards, these rooms began to incorporate video conferencing technology. Large groups of people could now meet with other large groups through conference and video calls. These large office meetings created the demand for conference rooms once again.
The Modern Office:
The 21st century office puts emphasis on collaboration and working together to come up with creative solutions to problems and projections. This has created an environment where meetings, both big and small, are common. Many modern office furniture designs incorporate small meeting spaces at desks and in private offices. However, large office meetings are once again on the rise. Thanks to modern technologies, smaller satellite offices can communicate with each other through video and conference calls. In order to conduct these meetings, typically involving large numbers of people, conference rooms are once again being utilized. A major difference in these modern conference rooms are that they also incorporate modern technologies. In addition to video conferencing monitors, many conference tables now include options for power and data terminals. This allows for people to work with their laptops, tablets, and phones while conducting a virtual and in person meeting. Furthermore, the ability for people to work on the go with laptops has added value to these meeting spaces. Now people can utilize a conference room as a small office when needed, all they have to do is plug in.
The business environment is ever changing. As the world evolves, so does the spaces we work in. Who knows what the next big trend in the professional environment might be. One thing is for certain, people will continue to conduct meetings in person and on-line. The conference room will continue to adapt as it always has to stay relevant in the modern office.
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