Reflecting on the Digital Triumph of the 2024 Vision Conference ??

Remember when nearly 800 high school students flocked to Wilfrid Laurier University campus for the "2024 Vision into the Future Conference"? ?? It was a milestone event, blending STEAM education with an immersive learning experience. Workshops on climate change, AI, and addiction science captivated young minds. But behind the scenes, a digital triumph was unfolding. ??

Our mission? Craft a seamless digital experience. We built a website tailored specifically for the event. This wasn’t just any site—it was a gateway to 30 workshops, 15 seminars, and profiles of inspiring speakers. Need a campus map? ? A dynamic registration system? ? Done and dusted!

We chose WordPress for its flexibility and reliability, customizing the Eventiva theme to fit the conference's needs. Hosted on WPEngine, the site handled high traffic like a champ, ensuring a smooth user experience. ??? Our development team, including the Synergo WordPress Team and two dedicated product owners, worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. ??

One of our biggest challenges? Building a registration system that could manage session capacities dynamically. Each workshop had different limits, and overbooking was a no-go. Our solution? A custom registration form that updated in real time. Once a session hit capacity, it locked automatically—no more frustration, just seamless sign-ups. ??

We also tackled duplicate registrations with unique identifiers like student names and emails. This kept the data clean and the process fair. And all of this? Pro bono. The school only covered hosting and domain costs, making it a community-driven project from start to finish. ??

Reflections on the 2024 Vision into the Future Conference

The conference successfully engaged students with sessions on computer coding, robotics, and advances in surgical techniques. Seminars covered AI, biodiversity, and addiction neuroscience, providing valuable learning experiences. Bruce McKay , Dean of Laurier’s Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, highlighted the conference's positive impact on students and the keynote speaker at the Vision into the Future Conference is? Sam Demma , a best-selling author and popular public speaker in the education sector had this to say:

“Laurier’s Brantford campus is home to exceptional undergraduate programs across a wide range of disciplines,” said Beth Gurney, interim senior executive officer at Laurier’s Brantford campus. “We look forward to seeing future Golden Hawks discover the purple and gold passion and make a connection with Laurier.”

For further information about the conference, you can check out the following press coverage:

• Local School Boards to Host 'Vision of the Future 2024' Conference
• Hundreds of Local Students Get Vision into the Future at STEAM Conference
• Laurier’s Brantford Campus to Host STEAM-Focused High School Students at 2024 Vision into the Future Conference

We can't wait to see how the future Golden Hawks who attended "2024 Vision into the Future Conference," will explore the exciting realms of STEAM and connect with the vibrant Laurier community through an exceptional digital experience in the future.

Interested in exploring more community-driven projects or how we can enhance your next event with a seamless digital experience? Check out our other projects and schedule a consultation call to see how we can help bring your vision to life.