Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1293694
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 Page 20 Virtual Conference Concerns and Solutions…Continued from page 19 • Social distancing. Avoiding groups of people greatly reduces your chances of contracting COVID-19. This keeps you, your co-workers, and your family safer. • Extra time with your family. No travel means you don't have to leave your home. This gives you extra time to spend with your family, which has been one of the great benefits of a very unusual year. • Bonus time to work. All the time not spent traveling can be used in more effective ways like following up with your connections and creating new sources of revenue. • Save money. Flights, hotels, car rides, and eating out all add up. Think of the money you will save by attending from the comfort of your home or office. • Comfort. Pants are optional for virtual conferences! However, I do recommend that you still dress to impress…just in case. • Invite your co-workers. Unlike previous PSAI events where you may have attended alone, this event is open to all of your staff with no extra cost. The more the merrier at this event will be a huge boost for your business. I Just Don't Like Doing Things Like This through My Computer Meeting virtually is new for many of us but this is how it must be done in 2020. Here are some ideas to help make your attendee experience rewarding and fulfilling. • Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3… Test your equipment to be sure everything is working—hardware and software. Install the app or software conference planners send to you. Test your webcam and microphone. Be sure your lighting is good. We will do what we can to minimize any technical glitches on our end and we hope you are doing the same on your end. • No excuses. Don't make excuses for why you missed a session or networking event. Treat this conference like you are there in person. I guarantee you will be glad you did. • Plan ahead. Review the full schedule and select your do-not- miss speakers. Add the most important sessions to your calendar and carve out time to go through the trade show and meet with exhibitors. • What's behind you? Tidy up your office or home and make it free of distractions. If you speak on camera at a networking event you want your space to look professional. • Give yourself a break. Anything can happen when you are working from home. These days, we are all much more patient and accepting of interruptions from our children or pets. • Participate! This is your chance to network with speakers, sponsors, organizers, exhibitors, and others. • Take notes. Use a pen and paper to jot down notes as you enjoy the speakers. • Follow up. Plan your own video discussion with people you meet at the virtual conference for later on. That's a way to keep the conversation going and foster relationships. That's how we network today! If you have concerns that were not mentioned above, please contact me at toddg@psai.org or 952-854-8300 and I will be happy to discuss them with you. All of us at the PSAI are looking forward to a great conference and we can hardly wait to see you there too! v