Strategies for Hybrid Success: Building the Bridge between in-person and digital events

Jun 17, 2021 12:45pm ‐ Jun 17, 2021 1:45pm

Credits: None available.

It’s the “Year of Hybrid Solutions” as the industry moves beyond tired debates of getting back to normal, virtual burnout, and digital platforms, and looks forward to providing a vibrant blend of live and digital meeting experiences with more engagement, connection, and value. And with the right resources and relationships, it might just be easier to deliver than you think.

Last year, during the height of the pandemic, MPI members Theresa Duncan, Senior Manager of Corporate Events for Kubota Tractor Corporation, and Kelly Massey, Managing Partner of Grit Productions & Expositions, teamed up to produce two hybrid events providing attendees eager for human connection the opportunity to meet safely in-person, while also creating a more accessible and engaging virtual experience. From enhanced sponsorship opportunities to improved reach and ROI, their collaboration is a case study for conference and trade show planners in delivering meaningful solutions to bridge in-person and online events.

It’s a candid conversation on best practices and lessons learned around the costs, technology, equipment, skills, and solutions necessary to meet the challenges ahead for the meeting and event industry, and help you design experiences that #movemeetingsforward"

Learner Outcomes

1. Identify key deliverables and ROI for a successful Hybrid Event.

2. Compare and Contrast approaches to merging in-person and digital meeting attendee experiences.

3.Create meaningful Reach and Engagement opportunities for both in-person and online events.

Session Sponsored by: 

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Tomorrowland-Futureworld- And You!

Jun 17, 2021 12:45pm ‐ Jun 17, 2021 2:00pm

Credits: None available.

A fun, entertaining, interactive workshop to help you reach your dreams for tomorrow. They say, yesterday is gone, tomorrow isn't decided, so accept the gift of the present.

Well, I am here to share with you that the past is the past. You have to deal with your past but it is more important that you reach for your future.

While you do have to deal with your past, it’s important to remember that it is indeed in the past.

How often have you been offered guidance on how to create the future that you want? This short 60-minute workshop will put you on a path that will blow your mind! Get your imagination running! And create a fire that will propel you into your future.

Come and have fun learning about yourself. Laughing with us and learning what we can all do to make life just a little better.

Learner Outcomes

1. Overcome your current knowledge deficits that might be preventing phenomenal growth for you.

2. Develop a plan for personal success over the next five years that will help you and the people around you.

3. Create a working knowledge of Tomorrowland, Future World and you to create an extraordinary mindset that can help you every day of your life. A vision that will create more success and open more opportunities while having a great time.

Session Sponsored by: 

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Technology Showcase 6.17.21

Jun 17, 2021 12:45pm ‐ Jun 17, 2021 2:00pm

Credits: None available.

The tech companies in the demo slot include:

AutoCamp is Camping Without Sacrificing Comfort
Rooted in the timeless American tradition of hitting the road, our properties take everything that’s great about sleeping in the wilderness and make it even better with impeccable design. Return from a day hiking Yosemite to a luxurious shower or take in the ocean breeze on Cape Cod from the comfort of our mid-century modern Clubhouse. Your next great adventure awaits.

Azavista Presents: Will the real data-driven event planner please stand up?
Azavista All-in-One Event Technology is the most comprehensive solution platform for In-person, Hybrid, and Virtual Events. Their extensive event experience and GDPR/SOC/ISO compliance have rewarded them with a client base in EMEA, US, and APAC, servicing customers such as PwC, Houston Methodist, Roche, Mediobanka, and Accenture. Their robust platform covers all modules that a data-driven event planner needs from Registration, Participant Management, Third-party Integrations, Content & Data Management to highly detailed multi-level Reporting Analytics and on-site solutions.

Innovative Engagement Technology II (IET): Elevating Your Executive Presentations
It’s time to break out of 16x9 Presentation Prison. In this session, ADM Productions demonstrates next-level immersive graphics and augmented reality speaker support, where your live, hybrid or virtual presenters are environmentally joined with their visual support, so you’re no longer limited to side-by-side, presenter-and-information boxes. This innovative engagement technology opens a new world of opportunity to present with greater interest, absorption and persuasion.

Technology Room Sponsored by:

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Using Data to Create the Future of Hybrid Events

Jun 17, 2021 12:45pm ‐ Jun 17, 2021 2:00pm

Credits: None available.

After a year of disruption and with the prospect of returning to Live events in the near term, what our attendees and exhibitors thinking? What are the key strategies as we move into the new opportunities in front of us? And how can we use this information to better engage our customers, prospects, and partners? Learn how general consumer habits and behaviors have evolved and how those changes will impact event stakeholder expectations. The session will provide an in-depth look at the latest industry research and share insights about the future of face-to-face and omnichannel experiences, followed by open forum Q&A and idea-sharing. 

Learner Outcomes

1. Apply data-driven research on attendee preferences, expectations, and human behavior when planning and executing a successful hybrid event. 

2. Leverage digital marketing and content ecosystems to improve the attendee journey for a better hybrid event experience. 

3. Develop hybrid event strategies for 2021 and beyond to increase attendee and exhibitor participation and improve stakeholder engagement.

Session Sponsored by: 

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MPI Town Hall

Jun 17, 2021 12:45pm ‐ Jun 17, 2021 2:00pm

Credits: None available.

Whether you are new to MPI or longtime member, you are invited to MPI and MPI Foundation Business Update and to have an open and candid discussion about the current and future state of MPI, the foundation and our industry. During this interactive session, attendees will have the opportunity to converse directly with Paul Van Deventer, MPI President & CEO; Stephen Revetria, Chair of the MPI International Board of Directors; Todd Marinko, Chair of the MPI Global Board of Trustees. In addition, you will have the opportunity to interact with members of MPI staff to discuss such topics as chapter initiatives, sales, volunteer opportunities, offerings of the Academy, membership, etc. Bring your questions and don’t miss out on what promises to be a lively discussion!

Session Sponsored by: 

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Using Technology to Increase Attendee Engagement & Retention

Jun 17, 2021 12:45pm ‐ Jun 17, 2021 2:00pm

Credits: None available.

There is a new event landscape. Increasingly events- and event technology that powers them - will need to serve both in-person audiences and virtual audiences. In a hybrid event context, it will need to connect these audiences to give them a sense of a truly shared experience. During this session, our moderator will lead an expert group of panelists through a series of questions to provide you with knowledge and insight to make you “future-ready”. 

Learner Outcomes

  1. Content formats to support both in-person and remote audiences.
  2. Tips / best practices for making content engaging. 
  3. Driving business value from content.

Session Sponsored by: 

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Your LinkedIn Profile Needs an Update!

Jun 17, 2021 12:45pm ‐ Jun 17, 2021 2:15pm

Credits: None available.

Looking for new career opportunities or very happy where you are now? Your LinkedIn profile matters. What ensures a LinkedIn profile gets noticed (and by whom?)? Is a summary, bullet points or a story best to gain attention? Where should awards, certifications, and volunteer work really be listed? What profile photo is best? Should a headline be just a title or more? If more, what? Are buzzwords smart or a turn-off? Which words create a positive impact?

With so much outdated (and just wrong) advice being given by self-proclaimed "career counselors," this session will provide practical tips based on the latest brain-science research to ensure your profile gets the best results.

Participant examples will be used to demonstrate options in real-time. Be ready to improve your profile throughout this workshop based on your personality, industry criteria, and what science shows works to create distinction and get attention now. Leave excited and energized - and with a modern, brain-smart, and differentiated profile to sky-rocket employer interest and boost customer confidence, too.

Learner Outcomes

1. Replace outdated LinkedIn profiles with 2021 innovative practices to attract job offers and create "buyer" confidence.
2. Write a LinkedIn Summary that showcases your achievements and personality to create distinction and desire.
3. Grab the recruiter's attention with smart industry words (not all are smart to use!) placed strategically to stand out and accelerate success.


The Future of Events: Making Hybrid Affordable and Impactful

Jun 17, 2021 12:45pm ‐ Jun 17, 2021 3:15pm

Credits: None available.

Eighty-seven percent of companies think digital will disrupt their industry, but only 44% are prepared for a digital disruption (Silicone Republic). This digital disruption was accelerated over the pandemic; with the shift to working from home and the complete shutdown of in-person events. Associations had to pivot or risk losing their members to digital alternatives or just losing their members altogether. This presentation explores lessons learned from our work with associations over our 12 years in business but with emphasis on the changes accelerated in this last year, and how associations can apply those lessons to their virtual, hybrid, and digital engagement strategies in 2021. These lessons helped our association partners successfully pivot to digital transformation and provide member experiences that drove recruitment, retention, and revenue. Industry thought leader and President of WorkerBee.TV, Dan Stevens, will talk about the dos and don’ts of virtual and hybridized events utilizing 5 peer association examples.

Learner Outcomes
1. Blending In-Person, Live Online, and On-Demand is the Future. Virtual events work. In-person events work. Now that members have had the experience, they want the added value, but hybrid has always been too costly. Attendees will learn that it is possible!
2. Your Website Needs to Become the Hub. Your website should be the hub of all events and content. Attendees will learn how to create predictable, familiar behavior and develop a one-stop shop for resources, continued education, and engagement.
3. Digital Transformation Requires Cross Department Collaboration. Attendees will learn how to shift from measuring transactions and look at the holistic engagement your platform creates. Leverage all departments to deliver value pre, during, and post events.


Co-Creating Future Best Practices Between Hospitality Sales Executives and Meeting Professionals

Jun 17, 2021 2:30pm ‐ Jun 17, 2021 4:00pm

Credits: None available.

This is not a buyers’ market, this is not a sellers’ market, this is a learner’s market. Hospitality Sales Executives what are the latest negotiating tools are in your arsenal. Meeting Professionals, what are your must-haves, wants, but more importantly, what is most important to you, the meeting professional, when making a sourcing decision?

Site tours have changed and so has revenue management. Hybrid & streaming have added new logistical twists that warrant greater collaborative exchange. Come and share your organic story of evolution as we bring planners and suppliers together to share 2020 experiments and lessons learned that are shaping best practices in 2021 and beyond.

Learner Outcomes

  1. What is the # 1 Lesson Learned in 2020 relative Live Stream & Hybrid Meeting?
  2. How 2021 and Beyond On-Site Venue Configurations are Changing RFPs.
  3. How Meeting Professionals & Suppliers Are Collaborating More Deeply to Overcome Speedbumps and High Hurdles in 2021 & Beyond.

Session Sponsored by: 

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WEC Today Show | June 17, 2021 (Pt. 2)

Jun 17, 2021 2:30pm ‐ Jun 17, 2021 4:00pm

Credits: None available.

Join our WEC Today television show broadcast and gain exclusive access to interviews with conference keynotes and experts, breaking industry news and content you just can’t find anywhere else. This is your opportunity to ask questions and gain insight into the future of the meeting and event industry alongside your peers from all over the world. Last year, more than a thousand industry professionals joined us from 17 countries to learn the next practices and the latest industry fare. Once a day on Tuesday and Wednesday and twice on Thursday, our television broadcast is the place to find the news and segments you need—right when you need them.