Creating Stand-Out Large-Scale Virtual Events

“There’s room for growth here,” said Jack, “which is why we’re doing this summit.”

Over 200 managers.

All really good technical leaders… with room for growth on the human side of managing people.

So the org — part of a Fortune 100 social media company you know well — decided to organize a half-day virtual summit to give participants an opportunity to gather and learn from each other.

This is where I came in.

Jack and his organizing committee were wise enough to realize that when it came to virtual events, they didn’t know what they didn’t know.

They wanted to avoid the usual traps:

• An agenda that’s more like a stagnant pool than a flowing stream
• Structure & timing that leaves people drained (or worse, they disengage, multi-task, or simply log off altogether!)
• A nightmare of dropped balls, overlooked details, and technical glitches on the day of the event

They knew they needed expert help.

The committee had put together a draft agenda, so rather than starting from scratch, I was able to offer?strategic advising?to hone it into a shape everyone was happy with.

They also wisely decided to bring me in as?MC, which brought a level of energy into the event that wouldn’t otherwise have been there.

“We really packed a ton into that time,” said Jack, “without being a [full] day away from work. I don’t think we would have done it as well, without somebody to keep us on track.”

The result?

Positive feedback from participants. (Though yes, a few people did say they hope the next summit will be in-person, many others said they’re looking forward to the next virtual summit!)

Perhaps most importantly, connections were made around the globe, and new behaviors instilled — participants have started integrating and implementing what they learned!

I always consider this the real success.

The proof is in the pudding: you can have a virtual summit that builds connections, fosters learning, and leaves attendees raving.

This article first appeared on the?Creative Sandbox Solutions? blog.

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When you’re ready to infuse more connection into your next virtual training or event, here are 3 ways I can help:

1)?Download my FREEBIE?"7 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Next Virtual Event, Training, or Conference" here. ???https://bit.ly/7MistakesFreebie

2) Come to a monthly?Non-Boring Virtual Meetings?Learning Lab, and try out brain-friendly exercises that activate learning while building connection (and see what it’s like to work with me!) ???https://bit.ly/MonthlyLab?

3)?Work with me directly.?If you’d like to create an experience that will engage and delight your participants while they learn new skills and behaviors...

OR...

If you'd like your employees to learn how to infuse connection, joy and delight into virtual meetings, trainings or events at your workplace...

Let's chat?about how I can use my signature system to help.

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About Melissa Dinwiddie, M.Soc.Sci.

A former professional artist and trained improviser and jazz singer, I now work with innovative, people-first companies to infuse connection, joy and delight into virtual trainings and events. From custom-designed offsites, to trainings on how to lead amazing, effective virtual meetings, I design creative, interactive, playful experiences that attendees rave about because they acquire new skills and behaviors and build connections while having a blast. An acclaimed creativity instigator, I'm the author of?The Creative Sandbox Way?: Your Path to a Full-Color Life,?an interactive playbook that countless readers have sworn freed them from creative block virtually overnight. I'm the founder of?Creative Sandbox Solutions?, and I love performing improv, playing ukulele, making vocal loops, and chasing my two rambunctious kitties off the kitchen counter.