Hi Dennis,
You wrote "In order for this [virtual conference] to work, the focus has to be on how best to connect people in the virtual world, and less about avatars and goodie bags -- and even then, the additional value of meeting someone through a 'virtual conference' seems marginal to the other online social networking options that already exist."
I want to highlight that virtual doesn't necessarily replace a physical conference but can augment that face-to-face experience. In a post on our corporate blog, I highlighted five ways that virtual can complement a physical conference:
1) Socialize and network spontaneously
2) Puts faces with the names
3) More free and open dialogue between attendees and vendors/presenters
4) Training and learning
5) Real-time conversations
As for the experience, you're correct that most virtual conferences have been about replicating physical spaces in a virtual environment. From our perspective, we are working with customers to expand upon the unique differences of meeting online to drive collaboration, networking, and learning. This includes bringing in social networks and technologies, such as Twitter and Ustream, to enhance the conversations and collaborations within one environment.
One good example is how Cisco leveraged this "hybrid" approach for their Cisco Live & Networkers Virtual Conference. Their analysis can be found on the Virtual Environments blog.
Thanks for your insightful comments. Please feel free to connect with me if you're interested in hearing more about virtual or getting a demo.
Virtual Doesn't Replace, It Complements
I want to highlight that virtual doesn't necessarily replace a physical conference but can augment that face-to-face experience. In a post on our corporate blog, I highlighted five ways that virtual can complement a physical conference:
1) Socialize and network spontaneously
2) Puts faces with the names
3) More free and open dialogue between attendees and vendors/presenters
4) Training and learning
5) Real-time conversations
As for the experience, you're correct that most virtual conferences have been about replicating physical spaces in a virtual environment. From our perspective, we are working with customers to expand upon the unique differences of meeting online to drive collaboration, networking, and learning. This includes bringing in social networks and technologies, such as Twitter and Ustream, to enhance the conversations and collaborations within one environment.
One good example is how Cisco leveraged this "hybrid" approach for their Cisco Live & Networkers Virtual Conference. Their analysis can be found on the Virtual Environments blog.
Thanks for your insightful comments. Please feel free to connect with me if you're interested in hearing more about virtual or getting a demo.
Best, Cece Salomon-Lee Director, INXPO (virtual events provider)
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