World Virtual Conferences Forum
Overview
“We have just made the decision to transition our upcoming physical conference to an online format. However, the conference is set to begin in three weeks, and none of us have any experience with organizing virtual conferences. What steps should we take to get started?”
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The WVCF established a Presidential Task Force in March 2020 to assist conference organizers who were faced with the sudden need to shift their events online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions. The task force offers practical guidance for conferences of all sizes, covering necessary tasks, available platforms, and financial considerations. Additionally, the group has compiled examples of successful virtual conferences and the lessons learned from these experiences. As a community that both develops and frequently utilizes these technologies, the WVCF is uniquely positioned to provide valuable advice for other organizations grappling with the same challenges. It operates under the umbrella of the ERF Society.
What Is Virtual Conference
To learn more about virtual conference, here we are going to show you what is virtual conference and the main types of virtual conference.
1. What Is Virtual Conference?
2. Three Types of Virtual Conference
1. What Is Virtual Conference?
Through virtual conferences, individuals can remotely participate in live meetings and events from any location with an internet connection. This eliminates the need for physical attendance in a conference room and provides an accessible platform for participants worldwide. Virtual conferences are typically hosted online, utilizing conference websites or specialized video conferencing tools to facilitate virtual meetings and events..
Virtual conferences offer more than just live events; they also provide discussion forums, networking opportunities, a resource center, and other features. These tools are specifically designed to allow remote participants to have a similar experience to onsite attendees, including the ability to connect with other conference-goers and access important conference materials..
2. Three Types of Virtual Conference
There are three main types of virtual conference: video conference, teleconference, and web conference. Each type is suitable for different situations or industries. Here is a brief overview of each type..
2.1 Video conference
Video conference enables participants to have both audio and video communication during a meeting, using a computer webcam, microphone, or mobile device camera. There are several video conference providers, such as Skype, Zoom, and ezTalks. To join a video conference, one needs a video conferencing software, a computer or mobile device with a camera, microphone, and speaker, and a stable internet connection.
This type of virtual conference is suitable for remote job interviews, online business meetings, connecting with telecommuting employees, and reaching out to clients in distant locations. Video conference is also useful for online training, brainstorming sessions, and project planning meetings.
2.2 Teleconference
Teleconference is a virtual conference that connects participants through phone lines, whether via landlines or cellular devices. This allows multiple people to connect from different locations simultaneously. However, the disadvantage of teleconferencing is that there is no visual reference for participants, and they cannot see who is speaking. It can be more effective if all participants are introduced beforehand and identify themselves before commenting. Teleconferencing is suitable for situations where visual reference is not critical.
2.3 Web Conference
Web conference is a type of virtual conference that utilizes the Internet and a web browser to connect individuals or groups in different geographic locations for various purposes such as educational or training webinars, collaborative online meetings, live presentations, and video conferencing. This type of conference enables real-time communication between individuals or groups, and allows for one-to-many communications from a single sender to multiple receivers. Web conference facilitates the sharing of text-based messages, voice, and video chat simultaneously, making it an effective communication tool for geographically dispersed teams.
Connect Global Audiences & Maximize Engagement with a Virtual Conference
Connect with the Audience in Real-time with Chat Tools
Enhance the attendee experience of your conference by providing them with various channels to communicate with you, including audio, video, and text messaging. Create chat forums where attendees can ask questions, receive answers, and gain additional information. Provide opportunities for group chat or one-on-one interactions between attendees and conference organizers. This will ensure a memorable and engaging virtual conference experience for all participants.
Tell Your Story with Videos & Presentations
Engage your audience with visuals
- Provide attendees with various multimedia resources, such as videos, documents, and presentations, to enhance their understanding of the information presented at the conference.
- Enable attendees to download or save this information for future reference.
Boost Engagement with Live Webinars & Breakout Sessions
Attract your audience by inviting a diverse range of speakers to conduct live webinars on topics that they are interested in. Encourage interaction and engagement by providing Q&A sessions, making it a two-way conversation.
Measure the Impact of Your Virtual Conference with Insights & Reports
Gather valuable insights about your audience through comprehensive reports, identify their participation patterns, and use this information to enhance future events and maximize your return on investment.
A Dedicated Customer Support Team at Your Service
Take the stress out of organizing your virtual conference with a highly responsive customer support team that handles all the details, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience from setup to launch. Sit back and relax, knowing that the support team has everything under control.