021 - Say “Yes, And!” to Connecting Through Technology with Roger Courville

In this episode, I talk to Roger Courville, a virtual events pioneer with over 25 years of experience. Roger shares his journey from the early days of 'internet conferencing' to becoming a recognized expert on adapting in-person interactions to virtual settings. He explains the analyze, map, discover framework, a systematic approach for turning resistance to change into opportunities for innovation—whether you’re presenting online, managing change, or just tackling something new.

We also discuss why people resist change, how to engage audiences better online, and why building relationships—whether virtually or in-person—is critical to success. Oh, and if you love spicy food and Rush, you’re in for a treat!"

Key Takeaways:

• The "Analyze, Map, Discover" framework for navigating any change.

• How virtual presentations can solve challenges like participation and engagement.

• The biggest mindset shifts needed when moving from in-person to virtual events.

• The importance of understanding what’s lost and gained in any new medium.

• Why resistance to change comes from noticing losses before gains.

• A small change that could make the world better: "Take someone you don’t know to coffee and ask them, ‘Tell me your story.’"

Relevant Links:

• Roger Courville’s Website: rogercourville.com

Virtual Event Production: virtualvenues.com