Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1293694
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 Page 18 Continued on page 19 Virtual Conference Concerns and Solutions By Todd Ginter, PSAI's Director of Marketing By now we have all spent far more time in front of our computers attending meetings or connecting with colleagues than we could have imagined last year. For many of us, this new way of communicating was awkward and even frustrating at first. Whether difficulties arose from technical glitches, lighting, sound, or just connecting, hopefully those early frustrations have all been resolved by now. Right now you may be looking ahead toward the PSAI Virtual Educational Conference and Trade Show and wondering what it will be like to attend a three-day conference virtually. Below are some key concerns people have expressed about extended day conferences that you might share. Let me ease your worries by addressing these concerns. I Can't Sit That Long This is totally understandable and you are not alone. The good news is that we know sitting at a computer for a long time—even when listening to engaging content—can be hard. To combat this, we have not only built breaks into the schedule, but there will also be some interactive opportunities for levity and fun. Don't forget to take time to reach out to fellow attendees and exhibitors. Human interaction, even through the computer, can break the monotony of sitting too long. If you need to take a short break, we understand. We will be recording content that you can watch later when it is more convenient for you. However, I strongly encourage you to participate as sessions happen and not fall behind. There's No Sense of Place Here Our goal is to make the virtual platform hosting the conference very welcoming and a familiar place each time you log on. As an attendee you will have a unique place to check the agenda, session descriptions, links and resources, and speaker videos as they become available. There will also be links to Google docs and a special area for you to attend trade show booths. If you believe you are just going to see a video screen or a bunch of video screens with people's heads talking, rest assured there is more to the conference platform than that. Just navigating through exhibitor booths you will have the opportunity to watch videos, chat live with representatives, and maybe even play some games for prizes. You will also find networking breakout rooms that are always open as a place to hang out. These are just like lounges and break areas you would find at an in-person event. I Can't Listen to the Speaker and Read the Chat at the Same Time! If multitasking is not your thing, I can understand how this would concern you. My advice: Focus on the speaker or on the session content and review the chat after the presentation is over. The chat will stay open at the end of each session so you can catch up with what was said and post your comments and questions. Sample of a virtual exhibit hall.