Create a back up plan
Now more than ever before, it is imperative to have a back up plan. Assume that things will change and make sure that you have the right providers behind you. You want a team that has the knowledge and equipment to deal with whatever comes your way.
Your 'ready for anything' AV checklist
- Have you been allocated a dedicated Account Manager?
- Have they discussed the 'what ifs' - changes to format (e.g. from physical to virtual or combination), equipment, venue, date and personnel?
- Do they have a studio space that you can use if you do need to go hybrid or virtual?
- Do they have the technical expertise and capacity to support your team, MC and speakers if you do go hybrid or virtual?
- Trust your gut - do you feel like they've 'got this'?
Advice from the Professionals: Michele A'Court, MC -
“When you're just a few days out from a national conference and the decision is made to take the whole thing online, you're going to want a bunch of experienced hands and cool heads stepping in to make that work.
Right from the get-go, I felt confident about the team at Edwards. They were calm, helpful and positive about what we could do. We had dozens of speakers joining in from both sides of the Tasman. We needed the ability to take live Q&A and to facilitate panel discussions with people often reliant on their WFH connectivity. All the things that can make an event a nightmare instead worked like a dream. Plus the team - Flavia and Vi - were the loveliest people to work with who made me feel welcome and very much at home in their studio for the three days. Looking forward to the next one.”
