As we hit the one-year mark of the pandemic, it's a good time to see where we are, and what we expect moving through 2021 into 2022. Will we see a return to normalcy? What have we learned about how to successfully execute virtual events? Will we go back to in-person like we saw before the pandemic? Virtual events are endlessly complex, and no two are the same, but there are some universal lessons from the past year. Join us for this episode to hear three key takeaways we think apply to every event going forward.
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So here’s where we are, one year in. The hope that by this time we’d be back to in-person events has faded, even as the news about vaccines and a return to more normality keeps getting better. Because events take so much preplanning, most 2021 events have announced they will stay virtual this year, with hope for a return in 2022.
2022? My god, we’re living in the future. I have a robot cleaning my house, a TV that sticks to my wall, and a machine that makes me a really decent cappuccino with the push of a single button. But some of that future has become exhausting. I remember years ago taking hours using these really primitive IRC apps to try to set up a video call with my parents so they could see their grandkids. Now we’re on video every day with clients, co-workers, friends. And just like we used to get dressed up to fly on a plane but now it’s flip flops and tank tops if you’re lucky, our Teams and Zoom standards are eroding as well. I used to have what I called my Emergency Shirt next to my desk. If I had a meeting that required video I’d grab that nice shirt and put it on so I looked presentable. My last Teams call was a hoodie and some strong uncertainty about when my last shower was.
The client was dressed the same.
I’m not sure if it’s better or worse, but I do know I’d really love to take a shower, put on some nice clothes and go out to dinner looking like I cared what I look like. I’m guessing some of you feel the same.
Let’s talk then about where we are and where we go from here. Because while much continues to change, you should consider — and plan for — a new normal in how you approach events. The world shifted on its axis in our event world, and we need to shift with it or be permanently out of sync with what our audience wants and expects.
I’m going to go over 3 things we think are most important right now
First, Live virtual events are hard. Like, really, really hard. You see it whether you turn on the Golden Globes and see an at-home winner give his acceptance speech with his mute button on, and on most events you may have attended that featured technical glitches, crappy sound, poor connections or all of the above.
We recently did an event for 500 people where I personally did an announcement between sessions, and although I triple checked my video feeds setup, I still managed to have one button wrong and caused an echo so bad no one could understand me. We’re all trying our best, but every live element adds one more point of failure. Since we are all remote, you’re coordinating speakers and sessions across different geographies, with people who have differing level of comfort and skill with technology, not to mention the issues with technology and connections themselves.
I’m more convinced than ever that pre-recorded sessions, often played during the event as if they are live – what is often called simulive – is the best solution for almost every live event situation. We produced an awards ceremony for Microsoft for the second year using 100% prerecorded segments, from the introduction, entertainment, awards announcements and executive thank yous. It even included a special performance from three Broadway stars, something the client produced separately but which integrated perfectly into the show. The awards show ran a very tight 42 minutes from beginning to end, and the feedback was tremendous. Not one person commented that they were disappointed it wasn’t l...
