Nice to see you, but not too often: Why we love and hate in-person meetings

We had a team meeting in Blackpool a month or so ago. That might not sound particularly noteworthy or glamorous, but we are a virtual technology company, and we’ve been through COVID, so our whole team hadn’t been together for some time. So, we loved the idea of getting together for an Open Audience…

Are we facing an events emergency, and how do we deal with it?

According to data from events agency Freeman, event attendance is sitting this year at around 65% compared with 2019 numbers. The fact is that, just as the world is starting to pay attention to the climate emergency, on the meetings side, we all need to pay attention to what might be dubbed “the events…

With travelling to events become more challenging, event organisers must be ready to rethink their approach to hybrid.

Many organisations are wondering what is the shape of things to come when delivering an event? In recent months there have been a lot of live shows and events as companies use up pre-COVID budgets and pre-contracted venue bookings in a use-it-or-lose-it trend. But despite getting back to live, the…
hybrid events

Understanding the delegate journey: Why hybrid events matter

Enhancing the delegate journey in a hybrid event: 1. Adapt your strategies: improve engagement through translation. 2. Question what’s right: What’s the profile of these delegates from different parts of the world?, Why would they come to a live event?, What might stop them from coming? What can we do to still reach out and engage them more effectively, make it meaningful and impactful for them, and potentially bring in current and future membership fees?
Networking at virtual conferences

Didactic versus interactive learning: Why well-planned networking is integral to virtual conferences

Whether through networking or poster sessions, the point is to create ways in which the audience can learn from the experts, engage with key opinion leaders and gain access to respected leaders they wouldn’t normally have a chance to speak with. How that is branded – networking, engaging conversations – or the methods used are less important than ensuring learning is more interactive.
live interaction

Small gatherings: Bringing live interaction to hybrid and virtual meetings through hubs

Virtual conferences reduce financial and travel barriers that are inherent to in-person conferences, opening up knowledge-sharing to participants that don’t have the resources to travel to major conferences. However, survey results found many respondents found virtual networking to be contrived and inauthentic. One way this can and has been addressed is through local networking sites or hubs.
Open Audience Blog - Breaking Down Access to Knowledge Barriers through Virtual Conferences

Breaking Down Access to Knowledge Barriers through Virtual Conferences

Virtual meetings have provided a lifeline during the Covid-19 pandemic, but also have a number of additional benefits, which can and should be part of the future of all conferences and symposia. Leveraging virtual helps bring down knowledge barriers based around cost, gender, career stage and geographic location.
Open Audience Blog - To the Moon and Back: Measuring Your Carbon Footprint with Physical Meetings

To the Moon and Back: Measuring Your Carbon Footprint with Physical Meetings

The health risks of large in-person meetings have become apparent in recent years, but there is also the environmental impact to take into account. Now is the time to consider new meeting formats, which with a carefully planned design can be just as fulfilling.
Open Audience Blog - Tips and Tricks for Running a Successful Virtual Event

Tips and Tricks for Running a Successful Virtual Event

Here are a few simple tips and tricks to consider when running a virtual meeting which include understanding why it is crucial to rehearse beforehand, knowing the right set-up when using a platform that you are unfamiliar with, and keeping up to date with updates.
Open Audience Blog - Virtual Stress: Why Online Meetings are More Complex Than You Realise

Virtual Stress: Why Online Meetings are More Complex Than You Realise

Running a virtual meeting is not as easy as it might seem. Meeting organisers need to be able to coordinate the speakers, manage the flow of the meeting, and deal with technology that may be unfamiliar to them. They often feel pressured by colleagues to deliver high-quality sessions despite lacking the necessary experience.
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