[WEBINAR] What a Difference Strategy Makes: Behind the Scenes of American Psychological Association’s 2020 Virtual September 22, 2020 by Michele Frania A virtual experience successful beyond their wildest dreams? You bettcha. Hear from two key executives from the APA on how they strategically turned a challenge into an opportunity to bring their community together like never before. They themed each day around relevant content, particularly via general sessions, and turned networking on its ear. Exhibitors? Not … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings
[Webinar] INFLUENCE 2020, National Speakers Association Virtual Experience September 2, 2020 by Betsy Bair Meet the brains behind the design of the highly successful National Speakers Association’s INFLUENCE 2020 Virtual in August. Discover how they created memorable experiences, facilitated networking and delivered inspiring general sessions. Understand the strategy behind transforming a 3-day event into an 8-week virtual experience that launched their new digital vault. Hear testimonials from first-hand attendees–experts … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings Tagged With: , adult education, community, connections, Education, netowrking, virtual conference, webinar
If You Build It, Will They Come? How Two Large Fall Shows Are Forging Ahead June 16, 2020 by Betsy Bair As many associations wrestle with decisions for their fall conferences and shows, the question on everyone’s mind is, if you build it, will they come? Join this interactive webinar to learn how organizers of two very large events—one a trade association and the other professional—are tackling, planning and preparing for this fall. They have two … [Read more…] Filed Under: Hybrid & Virtual, Ramblings Tagged With: , cancellation, COVID-19, hybrid, pivot, transform, virtual meetings
Webinar: Monetizing Your Virtual Conference When Competing with Free May 8, 2020 by Betsy Bair PCMA is hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, May 13, at 2 pm ET, featuring Dave Lutz and Lisa Block of Velvet Chainsaw Consulting. Webinar description: Monetizing Your Virtual Conference When Competing with Free Everyone and their brother is hosting webinars and virtual networking opportunities. Like this one, most are free. This topic is a … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings Tagged With: , digital event, monetize, pivot from live to virtual, virtual conference
[Webinar] Mission Critical: How One Association Transformed its Live Event to Virtual in Record Time May 6, 2020 by Betsy Bair This is not a typical story. The American Association of Suicidology’s annual meeting had been growing steadily in recent years. When their reimagined conference couldn’t take place in Portland, Ore., in late April, staff and volunteers went into overdrive to transition the physical meeting to a virtual one in a matter of days.They knew how … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings Tagged With: , association best practices, conference best practices, meeting planning best practices, virtual conference, virtual event, virtual meeting, Webcast, webinar
Will Work for Goodwill March 18, 2020 by Dave Lutz Living in Orlando (not the happiest place in the world today) provides a close-up view of the horrific impact the pandemic is having on people and businesses in the live-event, hospitality and travel industries. Nearly all of our association clients are making enterprise-changing decisions to cancel or postpone their marquee events while saying goodbye to … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings
Katie Winter Joins the Velvet Chainsaw Team October 11, 2019 by Michele Frania We’re excited to announce that Katie Winter has joined the Velvet Chainsaw team as Client Projects & Stories Specialists! Lucky for us, Katie and her family recently relocated to Cleveland, OH from Chicago, IL. Katie will work closely with our Director of Client Project & Stories, Michele Frania, to conduct in-depth conference audience analysis…the cornerstone … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings
Free-Agent, Lisa Block, Joins Velvet Chainsaw February 27, 2019 by Dave Lutz While many have been focused this winter on who is going to land free agents like Bryce Harper or Manny Machado, Lisa Block inked a deal to join the Velvet Chainsaw Consulting team! Lisa will join our team just in time for opening day – April 2, 2019 – as Executive Vice President, Conference Strategy … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings Tagged With: , EVP conference strategy and design, Lisa Block, PCMA, rockstar, SHRM, VCC
Your Two Cents on Virtual Events June 19, 2018 by Betsy Bair Improving digital learning and amplifying conference content to a larger audience is a high priority for most conference organizers. With the advent of DIY solutions, business models that include sponsorship and the ability to reach a global audience, we’re seeing an increased focus on expanding the impact of virtual events. Tagoras, an adviser to associations … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings Tagged With: , digital conferences, digital events, e-learning, virtual conferences, virtual events
How Is Your Association Using Learning Technologies? May 24, 2017 by Betsy Bair Improving digital learning and amplifying conference content to a larger audience is a high priority for many clients we consult with. With the advent of DIY solutions, business models that include sponsorship and the strategic alignment of reaching a global audience, we’re seeing an increased focus on expanding the impact of digital learning. If you … [Read more…] Filed Under: Ramblings Tagged With: , adult learning, digital meetings, event technology, hybrid meetings
