News
A New Chapter for Events
Human interaction and engagement are more important than ever during this global pandemic. We’ve all been affected, and the events industry has quickly changed focus to deliver online and hybrid events with the same impact as before.
At UCC Academy our Conference UCC team have been working behind the scenes, developing best practice for online events using a range of platforms including OnAir.
Whether it’s an online or hybrid event, preparation is key. As an event coordinator it is imperative to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, how to deliver it, and what the resulting event should look like.
There are many details to be addressed in the agenda and it is important to start thinking about these in advance. Promoting your event with adequate lead-time is also crucial.
Choosing an online platform for your event is perhaps the most important detail of all. The right platform for your event will be comfortable for speakers and participants alike.
With this in mind, we recommend conducting multiple tests runs before the event. When you do an event run-through, it really becomes possible to expect the unexpected.
Human interaction and engagement are more important than ever during this global pandemic. We’ve all been affected, and the events industry has quickly changed focus to deliver online and hybrid events with the same impact as before.
When it comes to events, what is important is to keep track of those lessons learnt so you can apply them for the next event.
In Conference UCC, our experience has taught us that preparing, supporting and liaising with your speakers should be a priority. All your time spent behind the scenes will help ensure that your speakers are comfortable with the platform. This will also enable seamless transitions between the different sections of an event.
Audiences today have a high standard for digital presentations; speakers should appear in a professional setting and be audible and confident on screen. Test calls with your speakers are key here, as everyone needs some time to practice and adjust to a new system and mode of presenting.
With all the pre-event planning complete, it is now time to turn to your audience. This may seem like the most obvious point, but its importance should not be forgotten.
We recommend to start communicating with your audience as soon as they register. Don’t be afraid to send them reminders coming up to the event; this will help place your event at forefront of their minds (and Outlook Calendars)!
On the day of, the event experience should be as smooth as possible for your audience. Participants should be able to find, log-in and navigate the platform with minimal effort. Make sure they have the information they need well beforehand
Throughout the event, consider how you can offer additional materials for your audience to create opportunities for engagement. Recent research undertaken by Conference UCC highlights that shorter sessions are preferring online in comparison to real-life events, so this should also be considered.
For more advice and information on online or hybrid event services, contact Jean, Sian or Michael in the Conference UCC office at conferenceucc@ucc.ie.