Attending Virtual Conferences

My inbox has been full of advertisements for upcoming conferences, including the emails that I send out on behalf of the Maryland Turfgrass Council for our annual winter conference. When I have been talking with others in our industry about what to expect I normally get the same answer or something similar to it, “We will have to just see how it works.”

I wanted to provide something beneficial for our members so I began looking around at how to really get the most out of a virtual conference, whether it be the Maryland Turfgrass Conference, the Golf Industry Show, or a number of other MTC events or conferences this winter and into the future. Hopefully you will be able to gain another perspective and really get the most value out of a virtual conference.

Blocking off your calendar

• Work never stops, but when you’re attending a virtual conference it should take a backseat – even if only for an hour or two at a time. After all, you chose to attend a virtual conference because you saw value in the speakers, educational sessions, and networking opportunities, so don’t throw away the time you have to learn and grow! Make sure your co-workers know when you’ll be busy and make an effort not to check email while you’re in sessions. – Madison Layman, CVENT

Keep an open mind

• Whether consciously or unconsciously, you may be thinking that you will not learn as much from an online conference as you would in person. This can be especially true given the interruptions that COVID-19 has already caused to our daily life. Your conference may look a little different, but conference organizers work hard to plan an agenda that will provide you with actionable takeaways that you can use in your lab. Going in with an open mind will strengthen your motivation and willingness to participate. – Tara Luther and Allison Suchon, Promega Connections

Minimize distractions

• Whether you’re working from home, the office, or the lab, distractions are bound to pop up. Limit them by setting up a quiet space where you can participate in the conference. Silence your phone, block your calendar, and consider putting a “do not disturb” message on your email. If you’re logging on from home, try to find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted by your furry, four-legged “coworkers” or children won’t come bounding into the room like you’re being interviewed on the BBC. But don’t worry about dressing up. Go ahead and wear those pajama pants and fluffy slippers. – Tara Luther and Allison Suchon, Promega Connections

Familiarize yourself with the tools

• Don’t wait until the day of the conference to test out the platform on your device. Test your audio and ensure a strong WiFi connection. Laptops or desktop computers work better than viewing on a smartphone, though most conference platforms, like the one ISHI is using this year, are compatible with mobile devices. – Tara Luther and Allison Suchon, Promega Connections

Be an active participant

• It can be tempting to slip in and out of sessions without participating during a live event and remaining anonymous is even easier online. Resist that temptation! What you get out of the conference depends on what you put in. Introduce yourself in the chat and see what new connections you can make. Is there a topic that you’re interested in discussing? Start a conversation! Do you have a question for the speakers? Don’t be afraid to connect with them. You never know how the connections you make today will benefit you tomorrow. It’s also a good way to feel closer and more connected to the presenters and other attendees, even if you’re far apart and have a computer screen in front of you. – Tara Luther and Allison Suchon, Promega Connections

Stand and stretch

• Don’t feel confined to your chair. Build in breaks in between sessions to take a short walk or stand and stretch. And, if you aren’t on video during a session that hits in the middle of the afternoon, don’t be afraid to stand. Activity, even something as small as standing or walking in place, can wake you up and get you refocused on the content at hand. – Madison Layman, CVENT

Set up time to review and re-watch

• A benefit of virtual conferences is that sessions are often available on-demand, whether during the conference or right after. If there was a session you want to re-watch or quickly review again, you can! Set aside time each day of the conference or on the final day to review your notes and make the most of the content you absorbed. – Madison Layman, CVENT

Ben Ellis

Maryland Turfgrass Council

(571) 340-0122

Sources:

https://www.cvent.com/en/blog/events/10-tips-attending-virtual-conference

https://www.promegaconnections.com/tips-for-attendees-making-the-most-of-a-virtual-conference