This post is part of the HopSkip Planner Spotlight Series where HopSkip spotlight's planners across the industry to bring awareness of how they adapted to COVID-19, communicating and lessons learned and sharing how they are viewing the meetings and events industry in a post-pandemic world.
Name: Cristopher Kirbabas
Company Name: Society of Architectural Historians
Job Title: Director of Programs
Years of Experience: 24
How were you able to adapt during COVID-19 when the meeting and events industry got disrupted?
With only 7 weeks of planning we transitioned from an in-person conference to a virtual conference with an "all hands on deck" approach. Between a dedicated 6 person staff to a team of leadership volunteers we researched, reviewed and rehearsed for 7 weeks. We were a cohesive, dedicated team determined to provide our audience with the best virtual experience that delivered the same high-quality conference experience they would have received had we meet in-person.
The number one thing was planning for a virtual experience. And making sure that experience is a meaningful one. Anyone who says that a virtual conference is easier to plan and execute than an in-person conference has never produced a virtual conference.
With our overwhelming virtual audience participation we are planning virtual programming year round. And we are shifting some historically in-person conference programs to a virtual format so members and non-members who had been unable to attend in-person before for one reason or another can have a voice and be active participants without having to travel.
