How do you decide what parts make up a good online event? It depends on several factors. First and foremost, your stakeholders need to determine the goals and objectives for the online version of the event. Then, what you want the attendee experience to be, what you can afford to do with both the time and budget available, and more have to be considered. For our organization, the in-person event we normally host has been going on for 40+ years. There are expectations our attendees have of us. When we needed to transition it into a fully online event this past year, we had to ask ourselves which parts of the in-person event can we take with us to the online one?
One outcome of our discussion was to keep the DNA of our event intact as much as possible. We wanted to give the attendees as consistent of an experience as we could, while reimagining the parts into their best online version. It needed to continue to represent our brand well, and convey the message of this particular conference. So what parts did we keep? All of them.
Along with our amazing platform provider, our team was able to keep the components in a re-imagined format. We redesign general sessions keeping keynote speakers, creative video elements, worship music, and sponsor commercials. Some of these components were pre-recorded and some were live, in studio. We offered over 40 pre-recorded breakout sessions that attendees could choose from and asked the actual speaker to participate in the chat during their session. We kept networking alive by offering the attendees a place to interact through the event chat feed and targeted audience watch parties.
We were also able to offer a robust virtual trade show with over 50 exhibitors. We asked the exhibitors to have a representative participate in the chat and respond to requests for information as if they were present in their “booths” and ready for conversations.
It seemed to work because we had the largest attendance in the history of the event!
The parts of your online event may look different based on the goals and objectives of your event, but no matter which parts you choose, they can be modified for online. It takes creativity, patience, and teamwork. I’d be happy to share some of my insights if you want details. Just email me.
Which parts of your in-person event did you re-imagine for your online event? I’d love to hear what you did! Please share here or email me.
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