As reported in Governing, more governments are relying on useful apps to harvest ideas and feedback.

The use of online engagement tools is increasing among those trying to involve more people in shaping public policy, service delivery and infrastructure projects. While it can be tempting to rely too heavily on them — “There’s still no substitute for good, face-to-face meetings to really read and understand the mood and opinions of the public,” says Jamie Greene of the consulting firm Planning NEXT — these apps have an important place in the toolbox.

MACo recently hosted a public engagement innovator, Lucas Cioffi, to speak at our Winter Conference.  Lucas Cioffi graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, US Army Ranger School, and served one year in Baghdad as an infantry officer. After completing his time in the Army he began building online collaborative tools to help large networks harness the knowledge of their members. He is the co-founder of QiqoChat, a business that helps organizations and online networks share leading practices in an interactive and engaging way.

During MACo’s session on open data and transparency, Lucas took the audience through a brief history of modern communications, beginning with the telephone, and ending with social media, describing the advantages and opportunities that each technological progression represented, and the options for public engagement today.

For more information, see the full story from Governing and contact Lucas Cioffi at qiqochat.