The biggest benefit of implementing an online conference community is its ability to address challenges posed by many live events. Conference attendees need to make the most out of every event, and meeting planners who listen for feedback hear common themes: help my attendees network with the right people, help my attendees discover more resources and make the most out of their time so they can justify spending money to attend.
- I need to help my attendees make connections with the right people
- My attendees need more value to help justify the expense of attending
- My exhibitors/sponsors need more booth traffic and exposure
- I need to help attendees choose the right sessions and be better organized
- My attendees want access to all the handouts, and more
Online Conference Communities
Enter the newest technology trend for meetings: the online conference community, a cutting-edge combination of social networking, resource library and marketing tool. An online conference community links attendees, exhibitors, presenters and conference organizers with an online, interactive home base for the event. The community members interact before, during and after the conference to:
- Find and engage with other attendees who have similar interests
- Review speaker materials online
- Receive recommendations for sessions on similar topics
- Interact with presenters
- Find exhibitors based on their interests
- Create a personalized itinerary of sessions to attend, colleagues to meet and exhibitors to visit
- Share other resources with the community