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November 9, 2020 • Issue 20:11:01
Insights from the digital
conference trenches – Part 2
about our virtual cocktail party at MPC20," she said. "We
had live music, drinks, and a chance to ditch the agenda
and catch up informally on Zoom."
Deeper Q&A
Elaina Smith, CFO at Settlement Data Systems, wants to see
more Q&A and post-event follow-up at virtual conferences.
"I've attended several webinars where there wasn't enough
time allotted for Q&A, and there was no follow-up after the
event," she said. "I would like to see more polling of attendees
before the webinar so that they have a true understanding
of what type of content attendees are expecting and what
questions they hope to have answered."
Before and after webinars and conferences, organizers
can use social media platforms to connect with audience
members, and high-quality content, curated for a target
audience, is generally more effective than diluted content
By Dale S. Laszig designed to reach a broader group, Smith noted. Organizers
should narrow the scope to improve content quality and
or decades, tradeshows have provided network- provide productive takeaways; if the content is good,
ing, deal-making and educational opportunities attendees will want to continue the conversation, she added.
to payments professionals. When the COVID-
F 19 pandemic forced a pivot to virtual events, it Smith also believes it's also time to move on from the
fueled a nascent industry of service providers and digital initial shock of the pandemic. "I don't want to see any more
conference technology platforms. Part 1 of this series chron- webinars that end with 'in a pandemic,'" Smith said. "If we
icled the rapid rise of virtual events in 2020, as organizers haven't figured out how to adapt to the current environment
overcame challenges to create meaningful, relevant events. by now, we probably need more than a webinar."
In Part 2, payments industry leaders and event planners
share tips on how to make virtual shows even better.
Denise Stamulis, director, global strategic events at ACI Contributed articles inside by:
Worldwide, said virtual events will never replace in-person
gatherings, but planning becomes easier with practice.
"Pivoting to virtual events initially presented challenges Roger McNamara ..................................................................................15
largely due to many moving pieces from a planning Marc Beauchamp ..................................................................................24
perspective," she said. "As we've completed more virtual
events, we've been able to more easily adjust." Ronny Yakov ...........................................................................................26
Jeff Fortney .............................................................................................28
Marla Ellerman, executive director of the MPC digital
commerce event, agreed with Stamulis that online events
will never replace connecting with friends and associates TOC on page 3
in person, but the gap can be closed. "People are still talking
Continued on page 22