Driving Member Engagement and Sponsor Value Through Virtual Event Experiences
Updated: Apr. 16, 2020 | Pivoting to Virtual Engagement, Pivoting to Virtual Engagement On Demand | Subscribe 102
Driving Member Engagement and Sponsor Value Through Virtual Event Experiences
Presented by Stan Phelps
The COVID-19 crisis has put a halt to in-person events. This video will share how Associations can address the social and educational needs of members through virtual event experiences. It will also tackle how to offer opportunities for sponsor value.
102 Comments
Dora
Apr. 8, 2020
Stan, Thanks for the tips. I was thinking of how to have the right backdrop in a home office where the walls are covered with tall bookcases - so no blank walls and too busy/distracting. A banner perhaps behind the Moderator? Any suggestions? Thanks- Dora
ReplyLisa-Marie Pratt
Apr. 7, 2020
This was a great presentation. Stan, how can I contact you about hosting a similar event for my organization?
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Lisa. My email is [email protected].
Julie
Apr. 7, 2020
Our chapter is education based so we're looking at virtual classes. We have summer classes that last 3 hours. Not sure we can replicate that amount of time in virtual time. Any suggestions?
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Julie. I think it depends. You'll need to work with your instructors. I've done two-day workshop that was virtual as a participant. You will probably need to build in more breaks into those virtual classes.
Nicole
Apr. 7, 2020
What is the best way to handle questions at the end of a virtual presentation? We don't want people trying to talk over each other. Thanks
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Great question. Some of the platforms have a feature where you can click a button to raise your hand. You can also mute everyone and then call on people who "raise there hand" in the chat. This is where it is important to have a strong moderator and someone behind-the-scenes supporting him/her.
Jay Thomas
Apr. 7, 2020
Stan, thank you for speaking to us this morning.
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Your welcome Jay. Have an awesome rest of the week.
Dora
Apr. 7, 2020
How can the registration controls for member pricing be integrated with Star Chapter and the third party webex vendor? Is that possible?
ReplyRebecca Chadwick
Apr. 7, 2020
You would handle registration within StarChapter only, and share the link to the live presentation or share the recording with the registrants like we did today. I actually go into more detail in my session later this afternoon. Hopefully, you can join.
Stan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Dora. That's a good question for Rebecca and the team.
Sue Feltovich
Apr. 7, 2020
Hello from San Jose, CA. Great intro Stan! Scale 1: never hosted a virtual event but have recently attended smal ones
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Sue.
Sherry Budziak
Apr. 7, 2020
Great presentation. What platforms are you using for this event?
ReplyRebecca Chadwick
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Sherry. Thank you for joining! We used Zoom for the recording and the StarChapter for the Q & A portion. I actually go over this in more detail in my session later today.
Nicole
Apr. 7, 2020
Hello from Chicago! Do you have any suggestions on providing networking opportunities for our membership? We are considering a virtual happy hour, but wondering if we need content to support this type of event or keep it informal and just let people talk.
ReplyTina M G Stark, EA
Apr. 7, 2020
Forrest not only for those who don't want to be on Webcam but those that don't have one. Remember the average age of an EA is over 50. :)
Forrest Davis
Apr. 7, 2020
We're wrestling with this question too. I'm leaning toward having a half-hour or so of open video chat between presentation sessions, so anybody who wants to can ask questions or toss out ideas to colleagues, a virtual version of the coffee breaks in the foyer. This chat format makes me think this would be a good idea to offer as well, for those people who don't/won't be on webcam
Rebecca Chadwick
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Nicole, thank you for joining! I would definitely recommend checking out the panel later today. One of the panelist is doing a very informal morning networking event over coffee that I think would be helpful to listen in on.
Jay Thomas
Apr. 7, 2020
Our chapter has been considering this as well; and were thinking of having a conversation topic as a starter, similar to a series of live in-person social media coffees we used to host.
Stan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
I would experiment with both structured and unstructured formats. Also the length and how often you do it. Your members will guide you by their engagement.
Stacy
Apr. 7, 2020
Minneapolis 4, thanks for the tips
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Stacy. Waves to the Twin Cities. I'm a big fan of Izzy's Ice Cream.
RoseAnn
Apr. 7, 2020
From Detroit. Have a done few virtual social hours and webinars but no large virtual events. Your presentation was helpful.
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Thanks RoseAnn
Derenda
Apr. 7, 2020
Is Stan going to answer questions on this thread or individually directed?
ReplyRebecca Chadwick
Apr. 7, 2020
Thanks for joining! He will be answering the questions submitted on the thread.
Jeff Kaufmann
Apr. 7, 2020
Is the audio/video for this segment over?
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
It's recorded Jeff. You can play back or forward as needed.
alicia dolce
Apr. 7, 2020
Alicia from Connecticut. Rating: 1 on producing virtual event but 5 for attending~! Just finished watching live demo and nothing is happening in terms of the Q & A. I don't see or hear any action.
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Alicia. I moved to NC from Norwalk, CT.
Rebecca Chadwick
Apr. 7, 2020
Thanks for joining! Just submit your questions on the thread and Stan will reply until 10am ET.
Claire Langford
Apr. 7, 2020
You spoke about larger events, what about smaller ones? We hold a monthly member meeting that last about 1 1/2 hrs. We typical have about 40-70 members in attendance. Ideas to make the most of holding these virtually? thanks!
ReplyClaire
Apr. 7, 2020
Thank you Stan. I really enjoyed your presentation and will be researching 1666 for more miracles!
Stan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Claire. I think the same principles for your in-person meeting are applicable. A strong open, a defined agenda, and opportunity for members to engage and participate. You might have a moderator to keep things moving and manage the chat.
Claire Langford
Apr. 7, 2020
Sorry - This is Claire Langford in Nashville TN and I've never done a virtual event, but have participated.
Nedun Cheralathan
Apr. 7, 2020
Good Morning from Los Angeles. It was a great presentation, Thanks, Stan. Can you expand on Hop In
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
HI Nedun. https://hopin.to/ Hop In is an all-in-one live online events platform.
Forrest Davis
Apr. 7, 2020
Stan, thanks for making your ebook available for free today. In case anybody needs to find it on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Green-Goldfish-Driving-Employee-Engagement-ebook/dp/B07N5388VB/
ReplyDora
Apr. 8, 2020
I tried to download it Tuesday night with my iPad and it didn't give me an option to do it for free. Is it because it was on my iPad? I selected the kindle version and it still didn't work even thought I have the kindle app. Not sure what happened? Dora
Allison Lewis
Apr. 7, 2020
Thanks for this, Forrest!
Foluke Houston
Apr. 7, 2020
I've hosted a small scale event and attended some
ReplyKelly LaMarca
Apr. 7, 2020
What other sponsorship ideas are there for virtual conferences?
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
I think you need to be creative. Expo, giveaways, keynote sponsor, break sponsor, new product pitch session, speaker intros, advertiorials, sponsored sessions, etc. It starts with finding out their objectives.
Allison L
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Everyone! Sending you sunshine from Sarasota, FL. Thank you, Stan for the great intro. Quick question: Is there a resource you know of that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the different webinar platforms?
ReplyRebecca Chadwick
Apr. 7, 2020
I think Capterra https://www.capterra.com/web-conferencing-software/ and G2 Crowd https://www.g2.com/categories/video-conferencing provide a great objective comparison s.
Allison L
Apr. 7, 2020
It's been hard to find ones that are not sponsored articles. Just found this good one just now: https://www.ventureharbour.com/webinar-software-10-best-webinar-platforms-compared/
Stan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Not that I'm aware of, but I'm sure there are some recent articles online.
Arthur
Apr. 7, 2020
Joining from San Antonio TX New to virtual engagement
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Arthur. Thanks for joining in.
Russ Watson
Apr. 7, 2020
Excellent presentation Stan! I work with mostly retired seniors in manufactured housing communities. Most are Facebook savvy thanks to grand-kids but the dynamic meeting style you describe would be technically beyond them. Most would get lost in the hall on the way to the first live table or sub-group. I'm curious if you have thought of addressing those with a short attention span and limited technical skills.
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Perhaps Facebook Live is an option. Whatever platform you use, there might be some hand-holding in the beginning and everyone adjusts to a new-normal.
Lisa Chenevert
Apr. 7, 2020
Thank you for the opening presentation. I am working on downloading your ebook now
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Great Lisa. Let me know if you have any issues. Glad you are able to grab the eBook.
Jen George
Apr. 7, 2020
Great material! Thanks for the advice on delivering a successful virtual meeting.
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Your welcome Jen. Have a great rest of the day.
Tina M G Stark, EA
Apr. 7, 2020
I have never run a virtual event, I have attended a few webinars. Which program are we using today?
ReplyTina M G Stark, EA
Apr. 7, 2020
Good Morning Forrest.
Forrest Davis
Apr. 7, 2020
A good early morning to you Tina. Although I've used a variety of webconferencing platforms over time, I am really becoming a fan of Zoom (and learning to dislike Google Meet). The free platform offers a lot, but for $14.95 a month youi can do 24-hour long meetings for up to 100 people. I like especially the capability to do "virtual backgrounds," hiding my messy office behind a nice landscape photo with my talking head overlaid.
Rebecca Chadwick
Apr. 7, 2020
We used Zoom to record the session which can be done with their free version you just save the recording to your computer and then upload it to youtube or something similar. The forum thread is through StarChapter and I actually walk you through that set up in my session later today. Thanks for joining!
Lianne Fowler
Apr. 7, 2020
Hello Stan! What are your favorite platforms to host virtual events (Zoom, Hop In, etc) and why? Thank you.
ReplyAllison Lewis
Apr. 7, 2020
I have the same question, Lianne.
Kenneth Nanni
Apr. 7, 2020
Can you expand on your experience with the "Hop In" platform?
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
https://hopin.to/ is an all-in-one live online events platform. I think it worked well for our event objectives.
Lianne Fowler
Apr. 7, 2020
Hello Stan! What are your favorite platforms to host virtual events (Zoom, Hop In, etc) and why? Thank you.
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
As a speaker, I tend to be platform agnostic. You have platforms such as WebEx, Adobe Connect, and GoToWebinar that tend to have more options. Then tools like Skype, Zoom and Google Hangouts that are more basic. Then there are platforms like Hop In which are geared towards larger events. The bigger the event, the better the technology. I would defer to your A/V and production partners on what they would suggest.
Elizabeth Seidel
Apr. 7, 2020
Thank you Stan! can you give suggestions for platforms to use for those of us who have never done virtual events?
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Elizabeth. Zoom is a platform that many people are familiar with. Probably a good place to start. There are free and low cost options. Be mindful of how you share the log-in details as to avoid any issues.
Mary Tylus
Apr. 7, 2020
Anyone asking any questions? I don't see any questions and answers in the conversation thread.
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Mary.
Derenda
Apr. 7, 2020
From chesterfield, VA. Have never hosted a virtual event but have spoken on several webinars.
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Derenda. My neighbor to the North.
Patricia
Apr. 7, 2020
Hello from Central Ohio
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Patricia.
Lonna Heshelman
Apr. 7, 2020
Good morning! I am from Louisville, KY. Do you have any suggestions for transitioning a membership from live and email communications to social and virtual interactions?
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Lonna. I think you start small. Perhaps it is setting up a Slack Channel for communication or creating a forum on your site for communication. As far as events, also start small. Work to piece together a few webinars around a central topic. Then perhaps do some virtual talks before putting a large scale event.
Brynn
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Stan! It's Brynn from Baltimore. Do you have any advice on how to price a virtual event? What are the best practices that you've seen?
ReplyRebecca Chadwick
Apr. 7, 2020
I attended the webinar that we shared on our blog https://www.starchapter.com/blog/virtual_events_to_overcome_engagement_challenges, A Why-To and a How-To: Virtual Conferences in the COVID-19 Era, and they shared their the van Westendorp Pricing Model of in-person vs virtual and the study found people were willing to pay just a slightly discounted fee. Here is the link https://zoom.us/webinar/register/4415840249131/WN_lsNapKWUQm6-QB43Viju_w if you want to check it out.
Stan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Brynn. That's the 64,000 dollar question. I think it boils down to your objectives, type of event, and how much sponsor involvement. You may not have venue, travel and food costs, but your A/V and platform costs will be greater.
Deanna Geldens
Apr. 7, 2020
Great question!
Deanna Geldens
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi, Deanna from Denver.
ReplyRebecca Chadwick
Apr. 7, 2020
Thank you for sharing your feedback. I'm sorry your having a frustrating experience. If there is a question I can get answered for you please email it to [email protected]
Deanna
Apr. 7, 2020
I'm finding this Q&A format to be very frustrating. Even with scrolling and refreshing, I'm not following what's happening. Perhaps more in the description about what to expect would have been helpful? I don't get frustrated easily, but don't know if this style of Q&A is worth my time.
Jay Thomas
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Deanna! Glad you're here too!
Michael Tolliver
Apr. 7, 2020
Michael Tolliver here from New York.
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Michael. I grew up in Rockland County. Welcome to the session.
Dawn
Apr. 7, 2020
Good morning from Atlanta. I have never held a virtual event
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Dawn. Welcome to the session. I fly Delta, so Atlanta seems like a second home.
Michelle Saunders
Apr. 7, 2020
Good morning! I am from Fayetteville State University.
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Michelle. Welcome to the session.
Jay Thomas
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi, I'm Jay Thomas and I'm in metro Denver, Colorado.
ReplyJay Thomas
Apr. 7, 2020
I should add that I'm a 1 re: running a virtual event.
Stan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Jay. Welcome to the session.
Stan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi, it's Stan Phelps. I'm in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
ReplyKatie
Apr. 7, 2020
Great presentation! Really enjoyed the opening on 1666.
Rebecca Chadwick
Apr. 7, 2020
Good morning! Thank you for joining! The video will be posted at 9am ET.
ReplyMary
Apr. 7, 2020
Is anyone out there reading these threads? I see no button for a video to watch/hear. Please assist.
ReplyLeslie
Apr. 7, 2020
I was wondering the same
Mary
Apr. 7, 2020
From Chicago. Never run a virtual event. How do I hear the webinar?
ReplyStan Phelps
Apr. 7, 2020
Hi Mary. Waves to the Windy City. Someone once told me that windy refers to the politicians. Correct?
Mary
Apr. 7, 2020
where do I click on the video?