But we've always done it that way!

"Just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid. "
- despair.com

Quick nod to one of my favorite sites for co-worker gifts. Despair.com is a blast to explore!

Now on to the topic at hand - why do you do the things you do? Is it because you've always done it? A legacy ritual inherited from those who came before you (a la the monkeys and the bananas)?

Or do you do it because you "should"? i.e. post-event surveys? Don't get me wrong, surveys are absolutely vital to measuring the success of your event and attendee ROO, but that's contingent upon someone in your company actually taking the time measure the success of your event and attendee ROO. If everyone looks at the survey results PowerPoint you send out and then sends a note back to you saying "Thanks for pulling this together," and you never hear from them again... well, it's time to reevaluate the need for and the usage of those surveys.

In my organization, we are going through some sacred cow slaughtering at the moment and it's pretty exciting to witness the morale increases first-hand.

Here's one that we can't seem to kill, though (in fact, I have been laughed at for even suggesting it) - why must event personnel stand behind a registration desk? Isn't there a more inviting way to welcome attendees to your event rather than placing a large table between you and them? Perhaps you have some ideas?