Virtual events are more in the spotlight than they’ve ever been, and as anyone in the events industry can tell you, they’re not going away anytime soon. But as our reliance on digital meetings grows, so does our desire to take a break from too much screen time. So the question really comes down to, how do you engage virtual event attendees who come to events tired of screens? We asked our very own Patrick de Shong, Digital Events & Creative Services Project Manager at Wizard Studios, to show us how the best in the business inspires the uninspired!

• Reset Your Expectations

“The common misconception is that the in-person event experience can be quickly converted to the digital sphere,” de Shong tells us. As someone whose job is solely focused in the realm of pivoting events in the digital world, he often has to explain that it’s not quite as simple as turning an event “in-person” to “digital” at the drop of a hat. “There are so many subtle differences and factors that must be taken into account when thinking about a digital event,” de Shong explains, “and while the initial conversion to digital meetings was relatively smooth, what we are seeing is a growing degree of screen fatigue that goes with spending much of our time working remotely.” That being said, event planners need to be open to the idea that their initial event will be curated in a very specific way to best reach their very specific - and screen-fatigued - audience. 

• So, What’s the Secret?

What does the expert say? Know your audience, give them a reason to stay engaged, and “keep the messaging and structure of your programming extremely tight, tailored, and focused,” de Shong says. 

But, there’s a catch: engagement, messaging, and structure all look different depending on who’s on the other side of that screen. More so than ever, the old adage of one size fitting all will not be working here.

“Depending on your audience, some may respond well to shorter, focused talks, opportunities to network, and answering key questions from key speakers and fellow attendees.”  This real-time chat could happen in scheduled breakout rooms that build community and encourages some down-to-Earth and relaxed interaction. But, other attendees may respond to gamifying your event with a mix of more breaks and engaging live polls. There are options, and it’s your job to learn exactly what your audience wants to see to keep their eyes on your event. And if you’re struggling to persevere, de Shong recommends the “tried and true (and budget dependent) favorite: thoughtful and engaging giveaways.”

• But What’s the Best Pathway Forward?

Sometimes, event planners and producers get caught up in making sure every detail is in place, every metric is being met, and every attendee is enjoying themselves. But de Shong reminds us to “always try to have fun in any endeavor.” Even in times as hectic as these, his disposition remains bright. “Every moment of every day is one that is rife with opportunities to listen to what clients and colleagues are saying and learn. This is essential to really getting to the true core of the event you’re working on and brainstorm the best methods to attain the level of connection being sought in its undertaking.”

Patrick de Shong is a powerhouse event producer and virtual event pro with a speciality in finding the humanity behind the work. In the aftermath of COVID, his job has taken on a new dimension and he has not faltered in creating unrivaled happiness for his clients and attendees. Asked how he gets it all done under such intense circumstances, he credits “an unhealthy love of copious amounts of coffee laced with oat or almond milk.” 

If you’re looking to leverage Patrick’s expertise and wisdom, contact Wizard Studios today to help you create the virtual event of a lifetime!