DEN Tech Summit
One of the roadblocks to successful hybrid and virtual events is that organisers and tech companies seem to be constantly at loggerheads . Organisers want more clarity in pay structures and networking to operate as if they were in-room . Tech suppliers on the other hand are usually blamed for issues beyond their control , think internet connection and sound quality .
So , bringing the two groups into the same room must be madness , right ?
That ’ s what took place at Hanbury Manor on 22 November at the Digital Event News ( DEN ) Tech Summit . The event brought together more than 100 event organisers and tech suppliers from the virtual and hybrid event industry to communicate their frustrations and find solutions .
A view from the organiser One of the biggest difficulties , organisers told the first day of the summit , was choosing between the hundreds of available tech platforms to host virtual events .
Ed Tranter MD at 73 Media said : “ Because with 813 platforms , I think it is now . They ’ re all very varied in their pricing . It makes it very complicated for us as organisers to know which one to go with , how to manage it and also manage interaction and engagement .
“ Part of the challenge is that every time you speak to every platform it ’ s all ‘ Oh 100 %, we actually were
Stop , collaborate and listen
designed for that ’ because they want the business . The challenge then is really genuinely selecting something that works properly for the needs of your audiences that you ’ re building the event for .”
Tranter joined a panel of organisers from within the events industry , including Narmeen Kamran , event director of Desert Island Events , and David Parker , commercial and events director , at the Royal College of Physicians .
During the session , organisers revealed how suppliers had included ‘ hidden costs ’ for what they considered to be basic services .
Cameron Roberts reports from the DEN Tech Summit show floor , finding out how organisers and tech suppliers can collaborate more effectively
“ The key takeaway for me is that hybrid isn ’ t working yet , but it could ...”
Pointing out the potential in virtual and hybrid events , Tranter added : “ We ’ re delighted that live events are back as that ’ s what we ’ ve always been about . But this [ hybrid events ] has opened up a new opportunity in the last two years to engage with our audiences , build our businesses , build data and build real community , which is what we as organisers really want .”
Panellists discovered they shared similar experiences .
David Parker said : “ The discussion was great , we covered various areas whether it be association , exhibition or venue , the views were amazingly the same . The key takeaway for me is that hybrid isn ’ t working yet , but it could .
“ In the future I ’ m going to get all the information bit about the content before the event . I ’ m going to look at it , listen , learn and then I want to talk to people about it .
Winter — 39