Rethink the Conference, Part One
What would happen if we jettisoned the in-person content-centered conference model that’s been around for a hundred years and started from scratch?
In the Virtual Value Workshop, we’ll be asking that question as we begin from first principles — and with a blank sheet of paper.
Here’s one model that engages virtual (or even in-person) attendees in a unique problem-solving format while encouraging networking, innovation, and collaboration — all without a single PowerPoint slide:
1. Design Challenges Relevant to Your Audience & Industry: Instead of traditional conference tracks, organize your conference around challenges instead. Frame each Challenge Track using questions relevant to attendees such as: “How might we be more innovative?” or “How might we teach change-resistant lawyers to use new technologies?”
2. Generate Pre-Conference Excitement: Before attendees convene, share the challenges with them in a heavily-promoted (and sponsored) pre-conference session. Pre-record an introduction to each challenge that’s a mix of an inspirational keynote, motivational pre-game speech, and fiery sermon, explaining why the challenge is necessary to address. Use these brief introductions in multiple social channels to drive more interest.
3. Educate Attendees with Insight Sessions: Begin your event with “Insight Sessions” centered on each challenge to educate your audience and even the playing field for those not familiar with the problems you’re solving. Utilize a mix of keynotes, TED-style talks, and panels to address each challenge from multiple angles, share best practices, success stories, tools, etc.
4. Make Time for Reflection & Ideation: After the Insight Sessions, give attendees time to process their initial ideas and questions in an online “Idea Gallery.” In-person, this might be as simple as using post-it notes on a blank wall. Virtually, you can use a tool like Miro or Mural.
5. Select Challenge Teams: Form teams of 5-7 people. Include a mix of vendors and “experts” on each. Allow people to work with friends if they like, but don’t give them long. Then randomly group everyone who’s left, using virtual breakout rooms to do their work.
6. Brainstorm Solutions: Ask the teams to create a solution to the challenge they’ve selected. If you want to have some fun, give each a constraint such as “Your team can’t spend money to solve this problem,” or “Your solution must be implementable in six months.” At Filament, we focus first on “Experiments” and give them tools to guide their discussions.
7. Pitch the Proposals: After an hour or two, teams must “pitch” their best idea. You can do this “shark tank” style or have a bit more fun by giving awards to the most innovative solution, most creative pitch, or even silliest idea.
8. Close With an Idea Fair: After the pitches, give each team a virtual “table” and ask one of the team members to remain there. Then, allow everyone else to visit the other tables to learn about other solutions. In a large, multi-track conference, you might have separate “fairs” for different challenges.
As you conclude, attendees have had meaningful discussions while you’ve added more networking and collaboration to your event — with space for some traditional conference elements — and built solutions (in a readily sharable format) that will be valuable to everyone. (Originally shared on Twitter.)