The Meetings Community listserv, better known as MeCo, has launched a site in Second Life, the computer fantasy world created by San Francisco technology company Linden Lab.
This virtual meeting spot is a 16-room mansion designed and funded by MeCo moderator Dan Parks, president and creative director of Dana Point, Calif.-based Corporate Planners Unlimited Inc. It includes a training room where video clips from various speakers will be accessible, a law library, a resource room with links to articles on meeting planning, a technology room where technology expert Corbin Ball offers his favorite links and articles, and a conference room featuring multi-media capabilities and boardroom seating. Of course, no mansion would be complete without a pool, game room, and a well-stocked bar.
To explore the mansion, users must create a Second Life avatar, or digital character that represents them. Don't worry if you're new: A tutorial for navigating through the online world can be found at podiums around the mansion's fountain.
MeCo is not the only industry organization to enter Second Life. Amsterdam-based meeting and exhibition management company Congrex has announced plans to establish a branch in Second Life. The site will inform visitors about how to get meeting, exhibition, and association management advice in the real world.