ICC Sydney shares insights to deliver digital conferences

17 Sep 2021

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) presented a deep dive into recent events with the launch of ‘Events in Focus – a conversational webinar series’, showcasing planning and delivery insights from three clients who hosted hybrid and virtual events at ICC Sydney.

The three episodes focussed on digital events through short, sharp 30 minute conversations with event organisers and our in house event delivery experts. The episodes covered hybrid events, the ICC Sydney Connect platform and the venue’s leading audio visual product suite which supports clients with an expansive range of technology requirements.

Episode 1: Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia

Pathology Update was transformed from a hybrid format to 100% virtual in a matter of days due to heightened COVID-19 restrictions. In the comprehensive webinar episode, it was revealed that the ICC Sydney Connect platform allowed more than 180 speakers, 1,200 medical professionals and 43 exhibitors to convene and advance their professional development and education discussing Australia’s healthcare system and response to managing the medical requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eve Propper, Events, Sponsorship and Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Foundation Manager at The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and organiser of Pathology Update 2021 said, “Communication was central for me, as I needed to understand the new technology and how it was going to work on the day. It was critically important to have the right team behind me and working with ICC Sydney ensured a polished, accessible and high quality result for the members of the College.”

Episode 2: Informa Connect

The second episode showcased Informa Connect’s General Manager, Keith Barks and Conference Producer, Margaret Young, who shared their extensive experience from the 18 virtual and hybrid events at ICC Sydney in the last 12 months.

ICC Sydney’s Director of Audio Visual Services, Brian Nash said, “We kicked off the Informa session by introducing events delivered with a digital component. Through the webinar, our team talked with Keith and Margaret, not only about the methods and strategies that they found useful in planning the digital execution, but also the typical pitfalls to avoid.”

Key insights included the importance of having a virtual or hybrid strategy in mind even for planned face to face events as well as a virtual option for international delegates. Further, the benefits of an effective virtual chairperson were highlighted, including interacting with the audience by asking fun questions or polling them through a Q&A sidebar.

Episode 3: Landcare Australia

The third episode of the series featured Melissa Higgins, Marketing and Communications Director at Landcare Australia and Lisa Cunningham, Senior Event Manager of Face to Face Event Management. The duo revealed insights into the planning and delivery of the National Landcare Conference, the largest knowledge sharing convention for the Landcare community which was streamed online to 3,100 viewers from ICC Sydney.

“The virtual 2021 National Landcare Conference brought together the thousands of individuals, groups and organisations involved in Landcare, providing them with an opportunity to connect, share learnings and feel energised. We have had many virtual delegates tell us that this was the best online conference they have attended. ICC Sydney offered a high quality, safe and tested service. A professional and efficient team. ICC Sydney made the event easy and enjoyable for our speakers and virtual delegates,” Higgins said.

Throughout our first Events in Focus series, insights into the planning process, best practice solutions to complex challenges and lessons learned when organising digital events were explored.

If you missed out on the series or to have your hybrid event questions answered, reach out to the ICC Sydney team who can support you with an event solution. Email: [email protected].

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