With the organization of a virtual conference, many organizers are entering completely new territory. The experience gained over many years from the world of face-to-face events suddenly only works to a limited extent or not at all in a digital environment, and advice from the field has been sparse until now. We would like to change that and provide you with a few tips that will help ensure virtual conferences be successful for all.

Conferences are more than just lectures. That was the clear result of a survey we conducted with hundreds of participants of academic conferences and congresses. In response to the question “What makes a successful conference for you?” the aspects “networking” and “meeting new contacts” were each answered with almost the same importance as “gaining new knowledge from lectures.”

Against the backdrop of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, organizers as well as conference-goers had to get used to virtual alternatives. Born out of necessity, many different creative approaches have popped up in the meantime, seemingly overnight.

Have you ever come across check-in terminals in a hotel? At many of these terminals, guests can even book rooms at short notice. Something similar also works well at conferences, where you implement on-site registration at self-service stations. The method has now proven itself in practice. However, organizers should pay attention to a few points beforehand.

Do you know every detail in the contracts you have signed with the provider of your conference software? It’s always better to read the small print for there are providers out there who prefer to follow their own interests rather than to address your needs. Sometimes, you’re even helping it happen by unknowingly providing the data.