Five Ways to Diversify the Risk of Coronavirus Global Outbreak for Your Organization with Digital Events and Where to Start
The Coronavirus has hit a tipping point with 100,000 cases and over 3,300 deaths in at least 81 countries. As the virus spreads, global events are having to postpone, cancel, or adapt by developing a digital event.
Tech industry events have already realized losses of over $500 million due to event cancellations. The entire one trillion event industry is faced with hard decisions as event announcements evolve daily.
In this overwhelming time of the unknown, global events are challenged to quickly make decisions with significant consequences and heavy hearts to serve best their audience, members, organization, and teams.
As groups are challenged to explore the best options for their organizations, it is advantageous to include evaluating digital events as a powerful solution.
We all know digital events cannot replace the personal connection of face-to-face. However, they have proven to be a powerful tool to connect groups of all sizes in engaging ways.
Here are five digital event formats to consider while evaluating solutions.
Create a Hybrid Event
A hybrid event is an online event live-streamed from a physical face-to-face event. By creating a hybrid event, you still have the onsite program, but it also allows participants from any location.
Benefits:
Guarantees all attendees can participate no matter their location or travel restrictions.
It makes you nimble to be able to transition to an online event if required.
Establish a Satellite Event
Virtually you can bring together online mini events from various locations globally. If you have members of your community in high-risk areas, they can also still participate individually online.
Benefits:
Satellites allow face-to-face experience but in smaller groups. Still connecting everyone online digitally.
It minimizes exposure for risk via travel and containing any chance regionally.
Develop a Virtual Event
A virtual event is entirely online. The event producers, speakers, and attendees all join the digital event from the comforts of their own home or office. All of the sessions, networking, and engagement happens online.
Benefits:
You eliminate the risk of Coronavirus spread since there is no face-to-face interaction.
With the tremendous increase in the internet speeds and the fantastic spectrum of technology platforms and solutions available, you can offer dynamic events at all price points.
Design a Rebroadcast or Simulive
A rebroadcast (or simulive) is a digital event that plays pre-recorded content online simultaneously with other live elements such as moderation, group chat, polling, and live speaker Q&A.
Benefits:
This option is the least risky. You pre-recorded everything taking the pressure off.
If you have a global audience, you can repeat the program several times.
Extend Your Reach with Ongoing Efforts
Events are a powerful way for organizations to share thought leadership, connect with customers and members, and bring together the community. Organizations can harness these content captures at events onsite or online by featuring them at future events online or in-person.
Where to get Started?
Ask the why of your event?
Create a strategic plan
Explore experienced streaming platforms solutions
Design an engaging online user experience
Get expert advice
After working on designing digital event strategies for over the last ten plus years, I have witnessed the power of digital events. Our Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Engagement (ROE) reports demonstrated an impressive impact on the organization.
As digital emerges in every aspect of our lives, it’s a normal evolution into the way we connect with our organizations and a tremendous opportunity for growth and engagement for your audiences.
During this trying time, I’m committed to helping groups navigate this space and inspired by what the future might bring.