Flock Eventing Platform was thrilled to assist the Gauteng SMME Summit host their annual event virtually for the first time.

The annual summit is hosted by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.

The SMME Summit, held over two days in February this year, aims to help create access to information, financial assistance and access to markets for township-based businesses in the province.

Flock Eventing Platform recently kicked off its Webinar Series for this year with an expert panel discussion around the 12 Top Event Trends of 2021.

Flock’s first webinar proved to be a powerhouse of information for anyone who wants to learn more about holding events in 2021 and beyond.

Hosted by MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) ambassador, Thami Nkadimeng, it was the first of many sessions aimed at businesses and event organisers who are shifting their attention to how to engage with audiences and customers virtually during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The importance of a solid, well-thought-out event communication plan cannot be stressed enough. An event communication plan is essentially a breakdown of how you will contact your audience, when you will do this and what exactly you will be communicating. In addition, the method you use to communicate with your potential guests and registered attendees, is extremely important for the following reasons:

Event planners are starting to use event data and analytics more and more to host events that are people-centered and audience-relevant.

Using data that you’ve gathered from guests via event apps, email correspondence and from online behaviour is an incredible way to learn more about the types of people that would be interested in your events and your brand.  Such data also provides you with the insights to continue giving current event customers what they want and find useful.

Flock Eventing Platform assisted the Services Sector Education and Training Authority, Services SETA, in hosting their first ever entirely virtual annual general board meeting (AGM). The meeting took place on the 28^{th of} January 2021 and had a total of 746 active guests who attended the virtual event.

Services SETA were not only looking to host their annual board meeting online but wanted to showcase their services and provide access to pre-recorded content to all their delegates, across South Africa. Flock Eventing Platform was able to provide a solution by setting up an online platform that allowed them to meet virtually as well as showcase a full list of their services and content. In addition, Flock also streamlined the registration process and provided a fully branded event landing page.

Branding, in any event, is an important part of your guests’ experience and helps you focus their attention on your company and offerings. The shift to virtual has sparked the need to create new, inventive ways of branding events for people who are tuning in from home. With virtual, the options to reinvent the way people experience your business and brand are endless and new technologies are being explored every day.

The key to branding your virtual event is to make sure people tuning in are constantly exposed to your brand image, message and ethos.

Flock provides you with these top tips on how to take your brand to the next level during your virtual event.

2021 will be the year of virtual event design. Last year, the event space plummeted into crisis and we all had to make quick changes from live events to virtual spaces. Making quick changes and ‘pivoting’ due to necessity doesn’t always guarantee quality. Important elements to event planning, such as design, structure and consumer engagement, weren’t always considered. However, 2021 promises something different and more intentional. We have had the time to test ideas, make mistakes and learn from them. Now, event planners can go into the virtual space with a better understanding of what is needed, and how to host a virtual event that guarantees maximum engagement and interest.

Throwing a virtual event can be daunting. In many ways, it’s a completely different ballgame to live in-person events, because the main feature — the guests — are sitting behind screens, all over the world. Virtual events need to be fun, engaging, and interactive so that guests stay tuned in for the whole show. Your main aim is to keep their attention, keep them engaged and encourage discussion.  

Flock Eventing Platform has put together an essential toolbox of top tips to help you when planning your virtual event.