From the beginning of the year, the COVID 19 pandemic presented us with the challenge of canceling trade shows where we due to participate as exhibitors. So, we started looking at alternatives to allow us to reach our audience and keep them updated on the latest developments.
Online events, such as our regular webinars where we present product updates, business insights, and live demos, have long been part of our content portfolio. Our goal was to also enable some form of interaction through such a format. So, we decided to use a video streaming service that allows us to record visuals and sound but also to interact with the audience via Q&A’s, chat, and panels.
A Remote Event – How Could That Even Work?
In addition to the technical requirements, we had to take care of organizational and content aspects. Once the right online stage had been set up virtually using the event software, the next step was to come up with a program.
Our intention to take the canceled Citrix Synergy in Orlando, originally due to be at the end of May, where we as exhibitors and sponsors would have liked to present our latest ezeep topics directly at our booth, as a starting point for our approach. So, the most important topics that the event team would present were quickly summarized. One of the highlights was of course the Windows Virtual Desktop Spring Update, which rounded up the latest new features since its release in September and the possibility to integrate ezeep which is our Azure-based printing solution to ensure smooth Windows Virtual Desktop printing.
To involve the potential audience as early as possible in our plans, we considered offering one-on-ones in advance, allowing interested parties to secure an online meeting with our sales or consulting team. Additionally, thanks to our live event software, it was possible to interact with us via chat and watch the agenda and a specially produced event video.
Live is Live
The big day was finally here. Our presenters were well prepared, the stage was ready, and everyone was curious to see how our first online event would take place. In the “virtual green room”, all presenters were able to talk to each other in advance and clarify any last questions. And at exactly 11.00 am Denver time we hit the live-button, and we started broadcasting. The individual sessions, which covered current topics such as new ways of working and cloud printing, went down well backstage with our colleagues, who joined in, but also with our external participants, who were invited to listen to us in the virtual “front row” at this online event.
All in all, the event was an overwhelming success and certainly won’t be the last in this series! We want to especially thank all the participants who visited our first virtual event! Further, future event editions will of course be published here in our ezeep blog!