Your name may be holding you back from that coveted CEO position, according to a recent LinkedIn study on the top CEO names worldwide.

"We started by contrasting CEOs across the globe with the average LinkedIn professional to find the top names that are over-represented among CEOs," said Monica Rogati, senior research scientist of analytics at LinkedIn. "At first glance, the top CEO names are a reflection of the CEO demographics. Looking more closely, however, we observe a different trend: over-indexed CEO names tend to be either short or shortened versions of popular first names. Onomastics specialist Dr. Frank Nuessel suggests that shortened versions of given names are often used to denote a sense of friendliness and openness. Female CEOs, on the other hand, use their full name to project a more professional image."

Maybe this study is on to something, because I see that the names Bruce (MPI) and Deborah (PCMA) are on the list. Hmm...

Virtual event planning was a hot topic at this year's PCMA conference. I had a chance to speak with Michael Doyle, executive director of the Virtual Edge Institute, about virtual events and their current and future roles in the industry.

In the video below, he talks about how meeting professionals can add virtual components to their programs. I'll have more videos of Michael Doyle in upcoming PlusPoint entries.

Chris Brogan is one of the more dynamic and humorous speakers here at the PCMA conference. His views and insights about social media bring out a rabid following, and it showed here with a packed session and Learning Lounge presentation.

Please view the video below about his views of how social media affects meetings and events.

The PCMA conference started strong today with several presentations in the Learning Lounge. Breakfast eating and coffee downing attendees moved around the room, taking in short sessions in 15-minute chunks. People were excited about the subjects available. It was good to be offered so many choices, even if one couldn't attend them all.

Having too many choices, though, can be negative, according to Dr. Sheena Iyengar, who spoke in a Masters Series session mid-morning.

"Each of us has it in us to be leaders," said Iyengar, author of The Art of Choosing. "Choice is the most powerful tool leaders have. To be better leaders, we must study how choices are made and why."

Iyengar, in her calm and even tone, explained how control can affect choice.

"Effective leaders find ways to give employees control over their jobs," Iyengar said. "A leader also exercises control over himself."

Leaders, Iyengar says, are choosy about choosing. For example, it's often better to offer two choices rather than none or, say, six. Finding that right amount of choices to offer can be a constant challenge, or an opportunity, depending on how you look at it.

"Effective leaders electrify others with the power of choice," Iyengar said.

With so many choices of sessions available at the conference, it's no wonder there's excitement all around.

I'm in Las Vegas attending the 2011 PCMA Annual Meeting: Convening Leaders. I arrived in the morning, giving me time to walk around the the host hotel, MGM Grand, and get myself mentally prepared for the conference.

According to One+ columnist Jon Bradshaw, preparing yourself for a conference is just as important as the conference itself. Bradshaw, in fact, says that the most important part of any meeting is the attendee.

In the Convening Leaders Orientation session on Sunday, Bradshaw showed attendees that lessons learned from behavioral and sports sciences can be applied to meetings and make time spent during a conference a positive and rewarding experience.

"Why are you here?" Bradshaw asked. "Is it for gambling? Hugs and kisses? Business? Define your goals before you start so that you have control over your time while attending the conference."

Bradshaw's presentation was sharp, energetic, humorous and interactive. He had attendees participating several times in activities, everything from meeting three new people and expressing goals to tasting Marmite to a set of squats to massages with attendees lined up shoulders to hands. 

The session was presented by Bradshaw's company, Meetings Mindset, whose goal is to give attendees tips and tools to maximize their investments during conferences.

The most enlightening question Bradshaw asked attendees was "Are You Here?" He wasn't asking if they were physically present; he wanted them to ask themselves if they were mentally present. It tied perfectly in line with his three basic meeting skills: listen, ask questions and give people 100 percent of your attention.

Not only are those great meeting skills, they're great life skills, too. Bradshaw showed attendees more than what it takes to attend an event. He showed them what it takes to be great people.