Broadcasting Live from NAB Show 2011

April 10, 2011

Introduction

What happens in Vegas no longer stays in Vegas. In fact, with hybrid events, Vegas events are coming to a screen near you, whether that’s your desktop, laptop or tablet.  I’m off to Vegas to be a part of INXPO’s hybrid booth at NAB Show 2011.

Streaming Live

On Monday and Tuesday, April 11-12, 2011, we’ll be broadcasting live from Las Vegas, via a virtual environment called INXPOLIVE.  Register for free here:

http://inxpolive.com

We’ll be featuring live interviews with attendees and exhibitors of NAB Show – and provide “a taste” of NAB Show Virtual View, the online extension to NAB Show, which goes live on May 12, 2011.

Join Us In Person or Virtually

If you’ll be at the show, drop a comment below to let us know if you’d like to chat with us on camera. If you’re not able to join us in Las Vegas, we hope to see you there, virtually.


Hybrid Events Roundtable: Help Us Determine the Questions

March 31, 2011

Hybrid Events Roundtable - Help Us Determine the Questions

Introduction

I’ll be moderating a Focus Roundtable, “Best Practices for Your Next Hybrid Event.” The Roundtable will feature Dave Lutz (Velvet Chainsaw Consulting), Malcolm Lotzof (INXPO) and Samuel Smith (Interactive Meeting Technology, LLC).  We’d like you to shape the questions that get asked to this esteemed panel.

How to Participate

There are a number of ways to participate.

1) Provide your input on Focus.com.

I’ve posted four questions that I may ask to the panel.  Write an answer to the question (on Focus), letting us know which of the four questions you’d like me to ask – and why.  To post an answer, you’ll need to sign up to become a Focus.com member.

2) Vote via Twtpoll.

I’ve posted the same four questions on Twtpoll (Twitter poll).  Visit the Twtpoll page to view the current results – and, to log your own vote.

The Roundtable Flow

The Roundtable is scheduled  for April 6th (Wednesday) at 11AM PT.  Anyone can access the Roundtable via telephone:

Toll-free Dial-In Number: (866) 951-1151
International Dial-In Number: (201) 590-2255
Conference # : 4999006

All callers (besides the speakers) will be muted.  However, you will be seen and heard via Twitter.  Use Twitter hash tag #FocusRT to ask questions of the panel – and to provide comments.  I plan to ask four questions:

  1. Question with the most votes (Focus.com plus Twtpoll)
  2. Question from the Twitter audience (#FocusRT), selected by me
  3. Question with the second most votes (Focus.com plus Twtpoll)
  4. Question from the Twitter audience (#FocusRT), selected by me

As an alternative, feel free to leave a comment below with your panel question (for those of you not inclined to tweet your question).  Hope to “see” you during the roundtable!


Marketing Roundtable on Virtual Events and Digital Communities

March 10, 2011

Marketing Roundtable on Virtual Events and Digital Communities

Introduction

On March 16, I’ll be speaking at the Focus Marketing Roundtable: The Next Generation of Virtual Events and Digital Communities.  The panel will be moderated by Shannon Ryan (@brandrelevance) and feature Dannette Veale (@dveale), Michael Doyle (@virtualedge), Paul Salinger (@psalinger) and myself.  The Roundtable happens on a teleconference, while questions are submitted via Twitter (hash tag: #FocusRT).

When
March 16, 2011
1PM PT / 4PM ET

Where
Toll-free Dial-In Number: (866) 951-1151
International Dial-In Number: (201) 590-2255
Conference # : 4999006

Roundtable Topics

Topics up for discussion include:

  1. Must-know 2011 trends in virtual events and digital communities.
  2. How to garner corporate support and leverage virtual/digital environments to address objectives across the organization.
  3. Essential tips for transforming your environment into an “always-on” brand experience.

You can RSVP via LinkedIn here: http://events.linkedin.com/Focus-Marketing-Roundtable-Next/pub/585008

And finally, for more info, visit FOCUS.com: http://www.focus.com/events/marketing/focus-marketing-roundtable-next-generation-virtual-events-an/

Conclusion

Hope to “see” you there – in the meantime, for any questions, tweet them with hash tag #FocusRT.


5 Virtual Events Postings You May Have Missed

February 23, 2011

5 Virtual Events Postings You May Have Missed

Introduction

In the rush to get caught up with RSS feeds (that I routinely neglect when busy), I unintentionally skip articles and postings that I’d find quite interesting and valuable. With that in mind, I thought I’d round up recent virtual events postings (from this blog) that you may have otherwise missed.  And yes, I do still use an RSS reader.

1) Interactive Emails and Potential Use in Virtual Event Promotions

Virtual Event Email Promotions and Hotmail Active Views

Like banner ads, email marketing and email (in general), response rates tend to decline over time.  The use of interactive elements (within the email) could be a big win – and this certainly applies to virtual event email promotions. Here’s a link to the full posting:

https://allvirtual.wordpress.com/2011/01/14/virtual-event-email-promotions-and-hotmail-active-views/

2) Virtual Event Lead Management

Virtual Event Lead Management

I outline the “drive-by viewing” that you often see at virtual events and note that those visitors are names, not leads.  I also introduce the notion of curating your leads, as if they were fine art.  Here’s a link to the full posting:

https://allvirtual.wordpress.com/2011/01/22/book-supplement-virtual-event-lead-management-leadmanagement/

3) Why I’m There on Pure Virtual Events

I wrote a counterpoint to an article from Velvet Chainsaw’s Dave Lutz on the topic of pure virtual events. While I’m a firm believer in hybrid events, I also believe in the benefits of “pure” virtual events.  Here’s a link to the full posting:

http://inxpo.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/why-im-there-on-pure-virtual-events/

4) Can I Get a Woo Hoo for Virtual Events?

Can I Get a Woo Hoo for Virtual Events

I loved the tactics used by a department store to encourage customers to contribute (to a charity) at the cash register. I loved it so much, in fact, that I decided to draw parallels with the store’s tactics and apply them towards the planning and promotion of virtual events.  Here’s a link to the full posting:

https://allvirtual.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/can-i-get-a-woo-hoo-for-virtual-events/

5) Use Virtual Booths to Complement Your Physical Booths

Use Virtual Booths to Follow Up with Leads from Your Physical Booth

I outline ways in which a virtual booth can allow trade show exhibitors to distribute content, nurture leads and engage with prospects in real-time (after the event).  Here’s a link to the full posting:

https://allvirtual.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/use-virtual-booths-to-follow-up-with-leads-from-your-physical-booth/

Conclusion

If you liked any of these postings, but missed them when they were originally published, subscribe to the It’s All Virtual RSS feed.  If you do subscribe, but “Mark All As Read” in a rush to get caught up, I forgive you (I know the feeling).


Why I’m There On Pure Virtual Events

January 28, 2011

Introduction

Over on the INXPO blog, I wrote a posting on Why I’m There on Pure Virtual Events.  The posting was a counterpoint to an article written by Dave Lutz (@VelChain) of Velvet Chainsaw Consulting.

Dave’s Points

Dave made the following points on “pure” virtual events:

  1. Attendees value the content not the commerce.
  2. They tend to attract an entry- or mid-level professional that lacks enough buying authority or influence to deliver ROI to exhibitors and sponsors.
  3. Networking feels limited if it occurs at all.
  4. It’s difficult to build trust that leads to purchase through a virtual booth.
  5. When education is offered for free and archived, it’s easy to find something more pressing to do. Archived views are less valuable than live ones.
  6. And finally, most webinars stink. I can count the good ones I’ve experienced on one hand.

Point, Counterpoint

I provided some counterpoints to the points.  Here’s a link to the full posting:

http://inxpo.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/why-im-there-on-pure-virtual-events/

I’d be interested in your thoughts – questions include:

  1. What your thoughts on hybrid events?
  2. What are your thoughts on pure virtual events?
  3. How can webinars be more engaging?

Leave a comment below with your thoughts – thanks!


Answers To Your Virtual Events Questions

November 23, 2010

Introduction

Got a question about virtual events, virtual trade shows, virtual career fairs, etc.?  Post it to FOCUS.com and a network of FOCUS Experts is here to help.

Focus “provides millions of professionals with the expertise they need to make better business decisions. At the heart of Focus is a network of world class business and technology experts. These experts power the real time Q&A, world class research, and personalized support that so many businesses now depend on”.

Sample Q&A

Below is a sampling of the questions posted, along with their answers:

Virtual Trade Show Best Practices: Best Practices for Exhibiting at a Virtual Trade Show

Should virtual event teams reside on the IT or Business side?

Virtual trade show booths: What are best practices for creating virtual event booths?

What are your top three tips for planning a successful virtual event?

Virtual Trade Show success: What is the ideal number of exhibitors at an event?

What should your content strategy be for your virtual event booth?

Virtual Events: Best practices for determining the success of your virtual event?

Conclusion

Join the conversation! If you need some help with your virtual event strategy, planning or execution, post it on Focus.  If you have thoughts and experiences to share, “come on down”.  Hope to “see you” there.

Related Links

  1. From the INXPO blog, “Interview with The Funnelholic: Virtual Events, FOCUS Expert Network and More
  2. A webinar I did with FOCUS, “How Smart Marketers Succeed with Virtual Trade Shows

Your 5 Step Guide to Virtual Trade Show Success

November 13, 2010

Over on the INXPO blog, I provided a 5-step guide to exhibiting at virtual trade shows.  The five steps are:

  1. Define your mission statement
  2. Assemble an all-star team
  3. Build and promote your presence
  4. Engage with prospects
  5. Qualify and follow up with prospects

If you’re exhibiting at a virtual trade show for the first time, follow these steps and you’ll be on the right track.  Here’s a link to the full posting:

Exhibiting at Virtual Trade Shows: Your Five Step Guide


Hybrid Events: Where Virtual Complements And Augments Physical

October 13, 2010

Over at the INXPO blog, we had the privilege of publishing guest postings from two thought leaders in the events industry, Heidi Thorne (@heidithorne) and Traci Browne (@tracibrowne).

Both wrote about their experiences attending a hybrid event, Event Camp Twin Cities 2010.  And both came away concluding that virtual components (e.g. video, Twitter, etc.) can significantly augment audience reach and audience engagement.

Successful Hybrid Event Case Study: Event Camp Twin Cities 2010 (by Heidi Thorne)

Heidi served as the Twitter moderator for Event Camp Twin Cities, so she had her hands (and fingers) full, watching the sessions, while exchanging tweets (and retweeting) with the virtual audience.

Of course, the on-site (physical) audiences in the Twin Cities, Dallas and Switzerland were a subset of the virtual audience, since they (on-site) were actively tweeting as well.

Heidi makes good points about the use of technology and virtual moderator(s) in a hybrid event.  Here’s a link to the full posting:

http://inxpo.wordpress.com/2010/10/07/successful-hybrid-event-case-study-event-camp-twin-cities-2010/

Make Your Events and Expos a Virtual Reality (by Traci Browne)

Traci attended Event Camp Twin Cities from her home office and felt like she was there in the Twin Cities.  She then gives us all some food for thought, by providing hybrid event ideas for Education and Networking.

For Education, I love idea #3, to interview virtual attendees and broadcast the interviews to the on-side audience.  What a great way to bring the virtual into the physical.

For Networking, I love idea #2, to have physical attendees send swag bags to virtual attendee pen pals, with the physical attendee’s name attached to it.  I say we go with T-shirts and pens and hold the coffee and cocktails.  Here’s a link to the full posting:

http://inxpo.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/make-your-events-and-expos-a-virtual-reality/

Thanks, Heidi and Traci, for the insightful postings.


With Virtual Events, You’ve Got Game

September 20, 2010

On the INXPO blog, we write about virtual events and virtual business environments.  I wrote a posting about gamifying your next virtual event.  The benefits of adding a game element to your event:

  1. Games are Participatory
  2. Games Create Competition & Networking
  3. Games Foster Elevated Retention

I then provided some strategic advice for virtual event gaming:

  1. Content Must Be Contextual
  2. The Game “Layer” Should Be “Thin”
  3. Benefit of Teams

Do you got game? Read the full posting:

INXPO: Gamify Your Next Virtual Event


Virtual Recap: Recent Postings On Virtual Events And Virtual Worlds

August 26, 2010

Virtual Events eBooks

  1. Virtual Events: Ready, Set, Go – download the eBook
  2. Social Media and Virtual Events – download the eBook

Across the Industry

  1. My guest post at PR Meets Marketing, “Go Virtual for your Next Press Event” – how virtual events can be an effective platform for PR and marketing simultaneously
  2. Ken Heyward (vcopious) with a guest post on this blog, “Flexible Platforms in a Virtual World,” which addresses considerations for SaaS vs. on-premise software for virtual events
  3. ROI for Virtual Events,” a posting I authored on the INXPO blog, with insights on virtual events ROI from thought leader Todd Hanson from ROI of Engagement

Virtual Worlds

  1. Stanford Media X Event – Virtual Worlds Entrepreneurs Show The Way
  2. Stanford Media X Event – Summary of IMVU Presentation from Brett Durrett, VP Engineering at IMVU
  3. FountainBlue Event – Annual Virtual Worlds Conference hosted by Cisco (Milpitas, CA)

Virtual Events Calendar

  1. There were a few virtual events in August as summer winded down – but look at what’s scheduled for September – events on luxury travel, natural products, publishing, higher education, autos, wireless technology, cruise shipping and eBooks.  Glad to see virtual events being leveraged across so many distinct industries

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