How can you incorporate virtual elements into your next conference?

Virtual whiteboard platforms like Jamboard and Miro are a great way to not only engage in online conferences but can also add a more action-oriented energy into webinar sessions.

In my experience, we’ve incorporated virtual elements in the past by including sessions hosted in virtual reality where attendees interacted as avatars and were able to navigate the VR environment instead of just looking at a flat screen like Zoom. In other conferences we also have incorporated conference management tools where attendees and speakers could speed network, join competitions, share photos of themselves during the conference. Other tools like Padlet, gamification apps, QR codes and others add a sense of involvement and engagement to any conference.

Everything starts with the event design. Here I recommend taking a look at the website of Event Design Collective in Den Hague with great use cases.

Choosing the right format is indeed the crucial starting point when integrating virtual elements into your conference. Whether you opt for a fully virtual or hybrid approach, or decide between live, on-demand, or mixed modes but I have found that using an online AI interactive setting can accommodate for all types.

High focus on content, then supporting factors surrounding it has been the most effective way to start planning a successful conference ???

Live Streaming: Livestream keynotes, panel discussions, and other important sessions for virtual attendees. VR Experiences: The use of virtual reality to create immersive experiences for remote attendees. VR can be used for virtual trade shows, virtual campus tours, or interactive product demonstrations. Games: Game elements to keep attendees engaged. This could include virtual Sling, Bow & Arrow, quizzes, or challenges with rewards for participation.

Zoom, Google Meet and MS Teams have created a great starting point in terms of the platform however their interactive and collaborative capacity can be restrictive, when comparing them against each other can create a difficult decision

If all goes according to plan I'll be submitting my dissertation in fulfilment of a BA in psychology next year, the amazing thing about it? I've never stepped foot on campus. The entirety of the content was delivered through Zoom. I've found it to be an effective tool for engagement and learning, breakout rooms are particularly effective when you're trying to engage participant. Make sure you know how to share content, and go full-screen with your presentations! There's nothing worse than somebody sharing their screen in presenter mode, or with the slide panel also visible.

For me having multiple options with sessions that are engaging but not too long . Moderators need to make sure speakers stick to time so that question time can happen

Most virtual platform include live polling or whiteboards. Try these features out, for small groups the whiteboards can be a nice ice breaker to get people engaged.

I’ve always been a fan of using dedicated websites as a pre-arrival attention grabber. And, creating a special SM account to get our attendees to participate during special activities at the event. These and similar methods have proven to keep their attention.

Similar to a walkthrough we do at a venue to imagine the experience of an attendee who is entering/exploring your event, I do a virtual "walkthrough" of the virtual attendee's path and experience. What will they see and hear when they join your platform? When can you acknowledge them with a meaningful welcome? When will they need information about their options/instructions for next steps? I also dedicate a team member to monitoring the chat, who has prompts to guide the discussion. Ice breakers to engage people during down time, specific questions related to the session content, links to more info they can share, etc. This person is also the point of contact attendees can connect with if they have specific questions or other needs.

Gamification, Interactive Sessions and Virtual Swag and Incentives are ways to secure attention, create a buzz and drive attraction to your conference.

Keeping the audience engaged to uppermost , ensuring that external links are working, speakers need to make sure their presentation is readable . Using live phone buzzers if fun m create some competition

Speakers need to practice their presentations, have slides that are not over populated, Speak slow and loud. Be conscious of their body language and if on video link be aware of their background

Speakers need to be wordsmiths that have the ability to not only captivate but to draw in engagement from a disengaged crowd at times.

I manage speakers for hybrid and virtual conferences, focusing on their preparation, content adaptation for digital formats, and fostering interaction in virtual settings. The preparation involves speaker agreements, briefings on methodology, and technical setup. Technical briefings and tools are used to ensure speakers are well-equipped for successful presentations. However, not all speakers are fully prepared on the day. It's beneficial to mandate specific tools and encourage speakers to personally experience these interactive tools.

At a number of the various events I have attended on a national basis have sponsors that have no relevant impact at their events. Whilst it is wonderful to have a number of great sponsors at an event if they are not adding any value in relation to the topic of discussion then they are not necessarily adding value to the event.