Learn how to transform your virtual meetings with expert insights from Davos. Elevate your remote collaboration strategies and ensure effective communication in the digital space.
The coronavirus pandemic has promoted a lot of new thinking as to how one can produce an inciteful and competitive online gathering that will draw both participants and audiences. Many people are now struggling with ‘zoom’ fatigue, so in order to get their attention one needs to provide something that is different and a must-view.
Here I am hoping to showcase how to shape best practice for the organizing of virtual events. Many companies and organisations have made the shift from physical to digital events – recognising that producing a successful event is like producing a TV programme. However, in order to stand out more effectively (See Claire Doole September 2020 blog), these need to be shorter, more varied, more creative, better moderated and rigorously rehearsed. Over the past few months, it has become even more obvious that organisers are going to have to up their game if they are to counter the increasing challenges of high attrition rates.
Let me share some anecdotal evidence. Organisers are not getting the numbers as “zoom fatigue” sets in and attendees zoom out. In some instances, there are just too many virtual events. One communications director from an international organisation told me they organised 67 webinars last year – sometimes up to three a week– and had to make sure staff took part to ensure strong numbers. Another programme coordinator said that her organization enthusiastically organized a series of webinars during the early days of Covid, attracting significant audiences, but then realised that it was better to produce fewer, but better online events and, if possible, in coordination with other groups.
This year, faced with budget cuts, international organisations and NGOs are scrambling for relevance with donors, which means the pandemic of virtual events shows no sign of slowing. However, they systematically risk forgetting the well-known saying in communications that less is more.
In the corporate world there are also challenges. I hear that some C-suite members are reassessing their attendance at virtual events as the opportunities to network and influence are limited. CEOs go to Davos after all mainly for the deals they can do in the corridors or on the ski slopes!
Other executives have told me that their companies are weighing up the benefits of sending staff to trade fairs as they are not getting the leads, despite the networking opportunities offered on some platforms. They complain about the business model of having to pay extra for networking. These meetings, they say, are just not the same as the chance encounter over coffee! Some companies are even reducing or pulling out from sponsoring virtual events this year due to disappointing attendance figures.
Despite the challenges of virtual events, everyone agrees however that they are here to stay. They still offer the 4 C’s of convenience, cost, convening power (greater diversity and reach of speakers and attendees) and climate change impact.
However, given the limitations of the virtual world, the next race is on to replicate as closely as possible the experience of attending a physical conference.
In 2021 we will see two major changes. First, a move to larger scale hybrid events and second, the creation of platforms designed to augment reality and provide an enhanced nearly physically presenter user experience for those who’ can’t be on site.
The reasons are obvious. Hybrid events are more dynamic as they bring in the dimension of human contact, making discussing more interesting and emotional. Believe me, it is much easier to moderate a discussion when you can gauge body language and interject to drive the conversation forward. It also has the great advantage that even if speakers lose connectivity, you can keep the discussion flowing as you can turn to those with you in the studio!
Already, we are seeing on TV, presenters and guests appear in the studio as well as on screen, and some programmes and sports events now have a socially distanced live audience.
Platforms are working hard to reduce any perceived inequality between those who are physically present and those joining virtually. Platforms like Lunchpool and Vsummits are for example developing networking features, allowing attendees to move from virtual table to virtual table and talk in small groups or one-on-one.
The challenge of hybrid events and using such platforms is cost, which might be prohibitive for those without deep pockets. The company that comes up with an inexpensive model for hybrid events that brings in new technologies from the gaming world and AI will be highly sought after – making such platforms as Zoom pro, MS Teams and Webex relics similar to the first iphone.
Some organisations though will still opt for a fully virtual event for reasons of inclusivity, preferring the level playing field of speakers and audience all coming together virtually.
The Davos Agenda meeting should show us what is possible to achieve in the virtual world. I am looking forward though to finding out more about the hybrid event, such as the one the World Economic Forum is organising in Singapore in May. This could serve as a model for large scale hybrid events – the next step in our return to the new normal!
Claire Doole is a former BBC journalist (Berlin, Brussels, Geneva, London), spokeswoman (UNHCR, IFRC, WWF International) who trains and coaches in the art of talking to the media, speaking in public, speechwriting and panel moderating. She is a sought after moderator and Master of Ceremonies for events and conferences around Europe. You can contact her on claire@doolecommunications.com . She moderates in the virtual world and can help organise events that attract and retain your audience attention.
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