ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT
Portable Sanitation Association International News
BIWEEKLY EDITION SEPTEMBER 16, 2020
Page 19
How to Maximize Value from a Virtual Conference…Continued from page 18
Continued on page 20
One: Let's Adjust Our Attitude
If you have not attended a virtual conference and don't believe the PSAI's virtual event can help you and your
business, all I can say is: You don't know what you're missing! After all, this is where your industry suppliers or
customers will be hanging out.
Another perspective many bring to online meeting/
learning of any kind is that it is "second best" or not as
good as "real" learning and face-to-face interactions. But I
would argue that virtual is not second best, at least not in
terms of learning effectiveness. Some point to how difficult
it has been for kids to distance learn and then believe they
just can't do alone what they used to be able to do with
a group. However, there has been substantial research
showing that online learning is generally as effective,
if not more effective, than traditional classroom-based
education—especially for adults. Still doubtful? Look at
this research analysis on the effectiveness of e-learning and online engagement.
Don't assume that because you attend the PSAI November event online you won't learn or engage as much.
That very mindset may weaken your motivation, your willingness to participate, and lower the general level of
engagement you bring to the event, all of which can negatively impact even a well-designed online experience.
Be prepared to bring a little extra "can do" attitude to your virtual conference sessions. Be ready to ask
questions, engage with other learners through chat, draw your own connections between sessions and your
own circumstances, and make efforts to spend time with attendees or exhibitors who have worked hard to make
themselves available online. As with any learning, a great deal of responsibility falls to the learner/attendee.
Two: Cut Your Distractions
Another substantial issue with virtual conferences is they don't
require you to leave the office, or more likely these days, your
home. Whatever the downsides of travel, it does have a way of
focusing our attention and helping us carve out both mental and
physical space for being at the conference. You have to try your
best to achieve the same effect with a virtual conference.
• Tell anyone who may be inclined to call, text, drop in, or
otherwise interrupt you that you have a commitment that
requires your full attention.
• Close your door (if you have one) or put a do-not-disturb sign on your office wall.
• Turn off notifications, shut down social media screens, close e-mail, and in general, get rid of any digital
distractions that are not actually part of the conference experience.
When you allow distractions, you are convincing yourself that what you are doing is going to be boring and non-
essential to your professional work, neither of which are true. Attend, and attend to, the conference.
Three: Go As a Group
One way to make a conference more memorable and a fun is to attend with co-workers and colleagues. Even
though you may not be able to be in the same room physically with them, you can still share the experience.
