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03/20/2020

How to Help Meeting Participants Get Comfortable With Virtual Events

Here are a few ideas for getting it done

As I wrote last week, COVID-19 has led many associations to transform their in-person events to virtual ones. And while it’s great to see organizations make that happen so quickly, doing so often requires different participants in your meeting to get comfortable with new technology and learn how to engage most effectively in a virtual environment. A look at four such groups and how your association can help:

Staff. You may be lucky enough to have someone on your team who is well-versed in planning and executing virtual events. But if that’s not the case, consider how to get staff the knowledge they need. A reliable option is to look to your contacts at the virtual meeting platform you’re using for best practices and training. Another idea: If there’s enough time in the schedule for it, encourage staff to reach out to their industry colleagues for advice. (This has the added bonus of helping them stay connected during a time of social distancing.) Also, consider a dress rehearsal where staff run through the virtual event a few days ahead of time, which will help them address any hiccups before the live event.

Attendees. If this is the first time you’re asking attendees to log onto a virtual platform to learn and network, some training will be necessary. A week or so before your virtual event, consider hosting a webinar where you run down the basics of using the platform and give participants a chance to ask questions. Also, make sure to share a manual that covers things like how to ask a question during a session, how to track their continuing education units, and other FAQs.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Associations Now.

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