As businesses continue to re-think travel arrangements and maximize employee productivity, live video meetings via internet and satellite have rapidly become one of the most cost-effective methods of live interaction with large remote audiences.

A CEO can address thousands of employees and take questions in real-time. ConnectLive Communications, based in Washington, D.C., has suddenly experienced a 400% increase in demand for its live video webcasting and two-way satellite transmission services for groups that need to communicate with non-traveling target audiences.

ConnectLive's services enable audiences to view meetings -- regardless of their location -- in real time, via satellite or through free software installed on any standard computer connected to the internet. Specialized video conferencing hardware is not required.  

With the internet technology package, employees sitting in front of their computers can participate in meetings live via the internet. Live sessions can also be taped and archived on the internet for unlimited replay. With the satellite technology package, an organization can link multiple locations for a live collaborative video meeting presented split-screen on television monitors or on auditorium projection screens.

Transmissions can be encrypted and password protected if they are intended for private, invitation-only audiences. The high-tech services typically cost $7,500 to $30,000 -- a significant savings in cost, time, and manpower -- compared to traditional travel and hotel expenses for out-of-town meetings. Unlike common video conferencing technology that supports only small audience sizes, ConnectLive's services support thousands of simultaneous meeting participants worldwide.

Over the past two years, ConnectLive's government clients have included the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Census Bureau, National Transportation Safety Board, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among the many businesses and associations that have employed ConnectLive technology are AT&T, FedEx, Bank of America, McGraw-Hill, Pfizer, Cisco Systems, National Urban League, and The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

``Digital meeting services have removed the tremendous expense and hassle traditionally associated with attending meetings in person,'' said Michael Lessin, CEO of ConnectLive Communications. ``When a camera crew from ConnectLive transmits your meeting, your target audiences worldwide can see and hear the presentation while submitting questions for immediate response. Just two years ago, webcasting was little more than an intriguing internet toy, and satellite was just too expensive.

Now, both are cost-effective and serious tools for businesses that realize -- you don't have to travel to interact effectively,'' said Lessin. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), a 150-year-old association with more than 120,000 members worldwide, used ConnectLive's modern virtual meeting services to discuss the World Trade Center collapse and the damage at the Pentagon. Reporters, association members, and the public attended the live virtual meeting, asking questions and providing input -- from the comfort of their offices in their hometowns.

``Using high-tech services not only widens our audience universe, but it also eliminates travel time for both our speakers and our audience,'' said Norida Torriente, communications manager at the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The National Press Club, a world renowned 94-year old venue -- located next to the White House -- is where government agencies, corporations, and associations hold more than 3,000 major news conferences and meetings annually.

The Press Club employs ConnectLive's services almost every day now so it can provide clients and journalists with real-time access to newsworthy events. ``ConnectLive's services have been used extensively by groups holding events at the Press Club.

Now, with convention and trade shows decreasing around the country -- especially in Washington, D.C. -- ConnectLive is now considered a requirement for effectively reaching anyone,'' said Howard Rothman, event manager at The National Press Club.