Preparing for a virtual medical conference

Are you attending a virtual event or two this year? Surveys show that most conferences and other traditionally in-person events nationwide this year will occur virtually at least through the third quarter. That’s why we wanted to share with you some simple ways you can get the most out of your virtual conference experience.

• Prepare for a virtual conference just as you would an in-person conference. Review any e-mails or notifications leading up to the event. You don’t just want to wait until the last minute to try to log in.
• Prepare mentally for attending the conference. You don’t want to just “show up” online. Be prepared with any prep work you would have done prior to attending any in-person sessions. Minimize any potential distractions surrounding you, including your email and phone notifications. While it’s tempting to multitask, try to give each session your full attention; you’ll absorb more important information that way.
• Follow the social media channels of the conference host, speakers, panelists, sponsors, vendors and/or attendees.
• Be active on social media during the event. Social media is a great tool for staying connected and asking questions before, during and after a virtual conference. If you aren’t comfortable asking a question in a live event, use that hashtag to ask your questions on social media channels. Not sure you want your question to appear in public spaces? Use direct message features or send a private email.
• Take time to stroll. At a conference, you may pick up a cup of coffee and stroll through the booth areas. Do the same if there’s a virtual trade show.
• Be patient. Just as you are learning to now navigate a virtual conference, so are all the other attendees, vendors and hosts. There will be times when technology doesn’t work right, people forget to mute themselves or even random hiccups occur.