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Online Connections: A New Normal For Online Events

Events are considered ubiquitous in most industries, especially those that focus on B2B. In-person events and conferences have always been seen as the most effective way to build and connect with other decision-makers.

However, the current global pandemic with COVID-19 has forced physical events to a screeching halt. But the temporary halt of physical face-to-face meetings does not mean the end of business connections.

We understand businesses still need to network and communicate with each other, even though we can’t be in each other’s physical presence. As such, we want to push the boundaries of business conferences by experimenting with online events.

Meeting and Engaging In An Online Space

Unlike web seminars, where it’s often one-sided in terms of engagement, online summits and online conferences can be highly interactive while giving a similar look and feel to physical events.

The current situation regarding COVID-19 has forced everyone to be stuck at home and many executives are struggling to find ways to expand their professional network. Without a means to network and communicate, many organizations are missing out on opportunities to establish business connections.

As such, online events are quickly becoming the means of communicating and networking for decision-makers and industry leaders. Given the bleeding-edge nature of this technology, online events can become the ultimate networking platform for many solution providers and businesses in the future.

Those unfamiliar with online events might be hesitant to jump straight in. Thankfully, today’s online conferences act similarly to conventional conferences and can be highly engaging.

Those attending these online conferences have the luxury of deciding which streams or sessions to attend. And with the help of modern technology, you can engage with speakers via polls, chats, and even live Q&As.

 
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The Same Winning Matchmaking Formula

One of the key factors that make our events unique is our business matchmaking sessions.

With the power of technology, the same formula can be applied to our online events. While you might not be able to give a handshake to potential business partners, you can establish important business connections online through our digital events.

And yes – you will still get keynotes, speaker panels, 1-to-1 meetings, and tailored content pre-and-after the event. The only difference is that everything will be delivered to you online, at the comfort of your home.

Establishing Business Connections Anywhere

With online events, the notion of “being at the right place, at the right time” is out the window.

While the majority of businesses practicing remote working or work-from-home initiatives, online summits will be an indispensable outlet for CEOs, CFOs, and other high-level executives to network with each other while still getting the latest industry insights from thought leaders and influential speakers.

This Is The New (Online) Normal

It can’t be overstated how impactful the effects of COVID-19 has been towards businesses and major industries around the world. The scramble to transition towards digital communications and means of networking is now a priority for many organizations looking to adapt to the situation.

While there’s no denying the power of a meeting someone in person that can spark new ideas and opportunities through naturally engaging conversations. Due to the viral nature of COVID-19, the way face-to-face meetings are done will have to change, at least for now.

It will take some time before people are confident enough to be part of major physical events. However, just as one door closes, another (online door) opens and these online events will be the main outlet for people who are still keen to network with other executives and gain the latest industry insights.

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4 Tips To Maximize The Benefits of Online Events

Maximize Benefit of Virtual Events

For many executives, online events can be quite intimidating as there are a lot of moving parts that they might not be familiar with. Especially if they’ve only ever attended in-person events.

However, entrepreneurs, businesses, and solution providers are exploring new avenues of networking and online conferences/summits can become the ultimate networking platform for many executives given the current circumstances regarding COVID-19.

If you’re a first-timer, it’s can be hard trying to figure out ways to maximize the benefits of attending online events. To help you out, we’ve highlighted a few tips that you can put into action and help make your online event experience a success.

So, are you ready to maximize to benefits of online events?

 

Tip #1: Managing and Scheduling Your Time

One of the biggest problems with attending conferences is finding ways to manage your time. While you might think that having a completely online event allows you to be a bit lax when it comes to punctuality, think again.

Timing (and being on time) is still important and since all presentations or keynotes will be digital, you can expect it to start and end on time. This is why, when you have access to the event’s schedule, you should manage and decide which speaker or showcase that you want to attend to beforehand.

Do a quick research on the speakers and determine which ones are more likely to give you insights. Set up a reminder in your calendar for their presentations and the meetings that you want to attend, but don’t forget to leave room for any other seminars that you might be interested in joining.

The flexibility of an online event also means that you don’t need to rush to an event hall and miss out on any keynotes from being late. Even if you’re currently working from home, all you have to do is just prepare your laptop and log in at the right time. So, there are no excuses to be late!

 

Tip #2: Actively Participating and Constantly Engaging

We know face-to-face networking is the most sought-after experience for physical conferences but when you’re in a presentation or keynote, all forms of communication are on-hold and the experience tends to be one-sided. This makes it hard for you to discuss with others until the presentation is over and the floor is opened to the audience.

With online conferences, some of the most engaging and informative discussions can occur during the online presentation as attendees can actively participate by talking directly to the speaker or with each other.

Since you’re participating in the discussion in real-time, the presenters themselves and the moderators can see and react instantaneously to your comments and thoughts on the presentation without disruption. This gives you plenty of opportunities to gain insights directly from the speakers themselves.

 

Tip #3: Constantly Networking With Everyone

Online conferences/summits have a much wider geographical reach which allows attendees from all over the world to join the event. With that, you now have a deeper pool of people that you can network and develop business opportunities with.

Many deals and profitable business relationships start over (online) drinks at a conference event and you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet with like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, event speakers, and event organizers to pitch yourself as a potential business partner.

Be active and participate in roundtable discussions, or our Campfire, and discuss with your peers and the speakers on the keynote presentation. By doing so, you’ll gain access to insights and industry knowledge that you normally wouldn’t get in a typical in-person conference.

Talk and engage with other attendees in the chat during a presentation. Exchange emails and social media links when you have your online 1-to-1 sessions. Follow up with each valuable connection that you’ve made during the events and fully optimize your online networking experience.

 

Tip #4: Taking Advantage of The (Digital) Convenience

Since larger conferences tend to have multiple sessions overlapping or running at the same time, you often have to choose which sessions you want to attend. This is why you need to take advantage of the unique conveniences that online events offer by having the ability to attend multiple sessions at once.

And the process is as simple as having multiple windows open for the session that you want to attend, and just switching between them when you want to move between the different keynote presentations.

Of course, a big convenience that online events offer is to remove the logistical issues that you often associate with physical events such as traveling, accommodation, and just having enough time for 1-to-1 meetings.

While it’s by no means able to completely replace physical events, you have greater conveniences as you have more access to different sessions and more time to network with the right people.

 

Final Thoughts

Gathering like-minded people in one location is one of the most powerful aspects of conferences and while online events might not be able to completely replicate the same face-to-face connections, you can still maximize the benefits of online events by following our actionable tips above.