Considering Virtual Meetings During the Coronavirus Epidemic?

Considering Virtual Meetings During the Coronavirus Epidemic?

As we experience the growing national crisis relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19) together, many organizations have decided to postpone or cancel their meetings.

However, based on calls and emails we’ve received recently, some of you are investigating the possibility of offering a virtual (online) meeting to deliver content and maintain some level of learning and sharing, as opposed to cancelling your event altogether. That includes delivering a select number of sessions rather than the entire conference. We’re seeing interest in platforms such as Zoom and GoToMeeting as well as multimedia companies which cater to live streaming events and webinars.

While a virtual meeting can never replace the face-to-face interaction and relationship-building that make in-person meetings so valuable, there can be an upside. A virtual meeting eliminates travel costs; sessions can be more conversation-like, especially when using a moderator or taking live audience questions; and recorded sessions can be distributed and archived quickly.

With that in mind, if you decide to move forward with hosting virtual sessions, don’t forget about your mobile app. A mobile event app can serve as a companion to a virtual meeting in a number of ways:

• Session check-ins with date/time stamps
• Session evaluations and surveys
• CEU credit capture
• Downloadable presentations
• Profiles of speakers, attendees and exhibitor companies
• Speaker Q&A before, during, and after the session
• Online voting and live polling
• Live 1-1 and group chats/activity feeds
• Sponsorship visibility
• Gamification, including virtual trade show

Now you have a “Plan B:” the AgendaPop virtual meeting app!

For us, the turnaround time can be quick. In conjunction with a virtual event hosting partner, we can activate your event app in under an hour. Our virtual meeting app can be the common thread throughout your entire virtual meeting schedule. Our team is here to support your organization and we are committed to work with you to find solutions to address your immediate and long-term goals.

We hope that you, your families, and your colleagues stay healthy and safe.

As meeting and event professionals, we will navigate these uncertain times together by being nimble, flexible, and most of all compassionate to those who face the greatest health risk.