{"id":9049,"date":"2020-08-13T11:41:35","date_gmt":"2020-08-13T10:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/?p=9049"},"modified":"2021-01-19T14:02:29","modified_gmt":"2021-01-19T14:02:29","slug":"virtual-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/blog\/virtual-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Why virtual is the new \u2018real\u2019 when it comes to corporate events."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_heading-9108260dcc76639c4d3db1b0b9f7b1b3\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-9108260dcc76639c4d3db1b0b9f7b1b3{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-9108260dcc76639c4d3db1b0b9f7b1b3 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-av_heading-9108260dcc76639c4d3db1b0b9f7b1b3 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-av_heading-9108260dcc76639c4d3db1b0b9f7b1b3 av-special-heading-h1 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_image  avia-builder-el-first '><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Why virtual is the new \u2018real\u2019 when it comes to corporate events.<\/h1><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-k2xdybux-6b6ed36510cc847b1f66250cbf2c5af2\">\n.avia-image-container.av-k2xdybux-6b6ed36510cc847b1f66250cbf2c5af2 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-k2xdybux-6b6ed36510cc847b1f66250cbf2c5af2 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-k2xdybux-6b6ed36510cc847b1f66250cbf2c5af2 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-9050 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-9050 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/gabriel-benois-qnWPjzewewA-unsplash.jpg\" alt='Virtual Event on Zoom' title=''  height=\"639\" width=\"1107\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/gabriel-benois-qnWPjzewewA-unsplash.jpg 1107w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/gabriel-benois-qnWPjzewewA-unsplash-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/gabriel-benois-qnWPjzewewA-unsplash-1030x595.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/gabriel-benois-qnWPjzewewA-unsplash-768x443.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/gabriel-benois-qnWPjzewewA-unsplash-705x407.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1107px) 100vw, 1107px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-39j46m-e7528f10bf7a9a6d70731cc7c2eb5a35'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>I don\u2019t know who the first person was to say that necessity is the mother of invention \u2013 but I\u2019m certain that he was 100% correct!<\/h3>\n<h3>The madness brought on by Covid-19 has caused more companies to reinvent themselves than at any other time in the history of our civilisation, and the list is growing every day.<\/h3>\n<p>By way of example, we\u2019ve seen the highly successful Mercedes Formula 1 team take time out to address the task of making a breathing apparatus that would keep patients out of intensive care.<\/p>\n<p>And we have seen numerous spirits companies dedicate some of their distilling capability to churning out hand sanitiser.<\/p>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t that they didn\u2019t have these capabilities in the past \u2013 but they simply never put their minds to these tasks.<\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s central to what I\u2019m talking about today \u2013 change of mindset.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/virtual\/\">Virtual entertainment<\/a> has opened up international markets and is bringing indiscriminate opportunities to businesses of all sizes.<\/p>\n<p>Founder of Find A Venue, Sean Gleeson, was quick to spot the potential in this space, and launched a brand new virtual events company Zoom Party.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9065 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Sean-Gleeson-quote.jpg\" alt=\"Sean Gleeson Quote\" width=\"426\" height=\"240\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Check out the short video below or view their range of packages on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.zoomparty.ie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">Zoomparty.ie<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Zoomparty.ie new event invitation video\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NyaKF6tIcKQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>As a highly experienced <a href=\"http:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/virtual\/\"><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">corporate entertainer<\/span><\/a>, my own entertainment world was turned upside down overnight by Covid-19, but after the initial period of looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights, we\u2019re now looking to find ways of fighting back.<\/p>\n<p>In my own case, I\u2019ve pivoted overnight away from \u2018in the flesh\u2019 performances to offering a virtual experience to corporations or event managers who are looking to stage an old-fashioned sales conference or seminar or product launch \u2013 but in an online environment.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9053 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Dr-Evil-Virtual.jpg\" alt=\"Shane Black Virtual Mind Reading Show - Dr. Evil Meme\" width=\"456\" height=\"456\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Dr-Evil-Virtual.jpg 746w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Dr-Evil-Virtual-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Dr-Evil-Virtual-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Dr-Evil-Virtual-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Dr-Evil-Virtual-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Dr-Evil-Virtual-705x705.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>At first glance, this sounds like an impossible task.<\/p>\n<p>But if you change your mindset, then a whole new world of possibilities suddenly opens up to you.<\/p>\n<p>I know what I\u2019m talking about here, because I\u2019ve already featured in over a dozen virtual conferences, transforming my act from a person-to-person affair to an equally impressive version of the same thing.<\/p>\n<p>And guess what &#8211; I\u2019ve had feedback saying that the act works even better, in some ways, in the virtual world.<\/p>\n<p>I put this down to the fact that everyone (and sometimes even their pets!) has a front row seat, and can see everything that I\u2019m doing from a couple of feet away through their screen.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9061 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Animals-on-laptop-3.jpg\" alt=\"Shane Black Mentalist &amp; Magician - Virtual Zoom Show\" width=\"457\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Animals-on-laptop-3.jpg 746w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Animals-on-laptop-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Animals-on-laptop-3-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Animals-on-laptop-3-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Animals-on-laptop-3-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Animals-on-laptop-3-705x705.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 457px) 100vw, 457px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As to how it works in practice, I typically deliver a 30-minute show on Zoom or whatever platform the event organiser has decided upon.<\/p>\n<p>In most cases, the content is exclusive to the company that\u2019s staging the event, so I\u2019m happy to incorporate things like products, services, branding, key messages or conference themes.<\/p>\n<p>From my own personal experience, here are three simple tips from getting the most out of your virtual event:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Lots of things can go wrong with a normal convention or event, but now you have to add in the perils of using technology. That\u2019s not to say that the technology won&#8217;t work \u2013 but you need to be really confident about using it in front of your audience. There\u2019s nothing worse than hearing \u201chold on a minute, I\u2019m trying to restore the audio\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep it shorter than usual. It may be possible to hold the attention of your audience for a whole day in a live setting, but this is much more difficult in the virtual world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Be mindful that many of your audience or contributors may be working from home, so if a two-year-old child wanders into shot at any stage, just relax and enjoy the moment. This is what normal looks like these days!<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Other than that, your virtual event can be just as powerful as the old-fashioned kind \u2013 but with the added benefit of saving a small fortune on hiring a venue, providing accommodation for delegates, etc.<\/p>\n<p>And people who need to \u2018attend\u2019 don&#8217;t waste time in travelling from home to the event location \u2013 possibly from overseas.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9054 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Reading-Cats-Mind.jpg\" alt=\"Shane Black - Mentalist now offering virtual entertainment\" width=\"446\" height=\"446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Reading-Cats-Mind.jpg 746w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Reading-Cats-Mind-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Reading-Cats-Mind-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Reading-Cats-Mind-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Reading-Cats-Mind-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Reading-Cats-Mind-705x705.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 446px) 100vw, 446px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So all in all, what was recently seen as making the best of a bad situation has now become a form of communicating to key audiences that\u2019s absolutely right for the high-tech and time-poor world that we live in.<\/p>\n<p>And whether you&#8217;re talking about your mentalist or your keynote speaker, remember that they can still react and interact with the audience in real-time, playing their part in building team morale and bringing your audience together from all corners of the globe.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9009 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/LaptopVirtual.jpg\" alt=\"Shane Black Corporate Entertainment -Virtual Mind Reading Show\" width=\"900\" height=\"544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/LaptopVirtual.jpg 900w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/LaptopVirtual-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/LaptopVirtual-768x464.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/LaptopVirtual-705x426.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you haven\u2019t tried it yet, I can\u2019t recommend the virtual route highly enough.<\/p>\n<p>All you need to pull it off successfully is to change your mindset \u2013 and forget about the \u2018old normal\u2019 for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;d like to discuss the detail of how a virtual\u00a0performance works \u2013 and how it can add so much to your online event, please don&#8217;t hesitate to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"http:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/contact\/\">contact me<\/a><\/span> for a chat \u2013 strictly without commitment or obligation on your part.<\/p>\n<p>Stay safe \u2013 and keep washing those hands.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ka81djpc-ef4bfa9355c791fa2adbf351a3d0d2ce\">\n.flex_column.av-ka81djpc-ef4bfa9355c791fa2adbf351a3d0d2ce{\n-webkit-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:20px 20px 20px 20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-ka81djpc-ef4bfa9355c791fa2adbf351a3d0d2ce av_one_full  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-last  first flex_column_div column-top-margin'     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-kahznbg1-317b7f0418c4a61bf6a4aa1bd985a044'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-2mz90t-ca7b88bc2f132a7e24eb17f9ac538dc3\">\n.av_font_icon.av-2mz90t-ca7b88bc2f132a7e24eb17f9ac538dc3 .av-icon-char{\nfont-size:30px;\nline-height:30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<span  class='av_font_icon av-2mz90t-ca7b88bc2f132a7e24eb17f9ac538dc3 avia_animate_when_visible av-icon-style- avia-icon-pos-left av-no-color avia-icon-animate'><a href='http:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/blog\/'  class='av-icon-char' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue830' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' ><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/blog\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Back to blog.<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If your company is looking to host a virtual conference or staff event, here are some simple tips on pulling it off in a way that loses none of the communications power \u2013 but saves you a small fortune!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9137,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Why virtual is the new \u2018real\u2019 when it comes to corporate events.","_seopress_titles_desc":"If your company is looking to host a virtual conference or staff event, here are some simple tips on pulling it off in a way that loses none of the communications power \u2013 but saves you a small fortune!","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,13,18,19],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9049"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9049"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9049\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9049"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shaneblack.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}