Challenge

Our client works with 157 secondary schools, FE colleges, special schools and pupil referral units and wanted to provide a multifaceted, engaging and dynamic online conference event for careers leaders.

Following the success of the client’s first ever online conference in November 2020 supported by Astley Media, the client wanted to build on the offering by providing access to more valued content and learning opportunities and the chance to make and nurture key relationships. 

Solution

Using our expert knowledge of the marketplace we matched the goals and functionality required for a multifaceted event and used the online platform Hopin.

The event lasted four hours and included:

  • Five pre-recorded keynote speakers 
  • Eight choices of live workshops each delivered three times each over the course of the event
  • An interactive panel discussion with guest speakers
  • Polls and ‘live chat’ throughout the session
  • 1-1 Networking 
  • A virtual expo area with live sessions and video

To create an experience that was as immersive as possible, we liaised with the 20+ expo hosts and workshop leaders to create visually appealing stalls and booths to attract our online visitors.

All those involved in the conference were supported with their pre-records, tech support, run throughs and rehearsals, with the Astley Media team providing customised demonstrations and training sessions in advance of the event.Throughout the session we kept the engagement and energy levels up by keeping things moving in the chat, moving between different areas of the event, stimulating discussion and running polls.

Outcomes

  • Overall, the conference had 108 attendees, who spent an average time of 3 hours and 3 minutes in the event, and gave the conference an average score of 8/10
  • In the virtual exhibition zone, there were 84 booth visitors, which recieved 294 booth interactions in total
  • Delegates were able to attend a choice of 8 live workshops delivered by industry professionals
  • The panel ran with 5 live speakers, hosted by our Managing Director, Dan Pritchard
  • 5 keynote speakers provided videos for editing over the course of the conference

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Astley Media for the smooth running of our Careers Leaders Conference. We really appreciate how quickly Astley Media dealt with issues, kept the chat flowing and all the other work they did behind the scenes. These online events can be quite stressful to organise, so having 100% confidence in Astley Media’s professionalism, knowledge and ability to run the event really made a big difference.”

Emma Davis, Enterprise Co-ordinator (SEND) for Heart of the South West LEP