Evolution of Events: The Online Reality

Posted by: Sara Olbrantz

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

A Summary from the
Engage365 Water Cooler Chat
March 18, 2011
Complete Transcript
Topic: How events should adapt to the online world

Video killed the radio star. Netflicks trumps Blockbuster.  And now, hybrid events are sneaking right up on traditional face-to-face events. It’s a reality every event professional needs to face… The online reality, because for those who choose to ignore it, they will remain stagnant while the industry progresses around them, and while everyone’s events will be booming with attendance, theirs will continue to decline (@Asegar, @susanlynncope).

In our Engage365 Water Cooler Chat, we discussed what it really means to us, our clients, and our organizations when we say, “We need to adapt.”

• It’s not simply about “adapting” online as a business strategy… It’s about adopting it (@MichaelMcCurry).
• It’s important to convince clients with examples which show results, make them comfortable, and give them the tools they need to succeed (@pogby, @Amuse_events).
• Being prepared to accept new ways of reaching out and communicating (@Sanne_J).

When adapting these new online technologies such as live blogging, skyping, or moderated hashtag conversations at hybrid events, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to create a memorable experience for remote attendees:

• Create two-way communication. Avoid the one way stream of information by making sure that remote attendees are participating to create a two-way conversation (@tradeshowsmdez).
• Generate a bonding experience. In creating your event, make sure you are creating a memorable experience that blends your attendees, both live and remote, together (@MichaelMcCurry).
• Don’t try to control it. It’s not about controlling your remote attendees, it’s about stimulating more thought (@Asegar).
• Have a moderator. By having a hybrid concierge or a virtual mc, the participation of remote attendees will be ensured (@tradeshowmdez, @tahiracreates, dshiao).

Overall, it’s important to recognize how this virtual platform has changed the idea of events as “content delivery”… Now, the value is in the conversations that occur and the relationships that are built (@Asegar). The online reality has truly created engagement at events.