OBN

OBN is a network that aims to enhance and develop growth for members within the life sciences industry. Having worked with them throughout the pandemic to deliver their regular event programme virtually, we were delighted to support them with their first hybrid event when restrictions lifted in 2021.

OBN tasked us with delivering an online platform for BioTrinity, a core event in OBN’s calendar, to enable them to deliver a packed programme of activity to delegates in London and to a global audience, simultaneously.

The event was taking place the week after lockdown restrictions were lifted in June 2021. Because of this, the organisers were conscious that a proportion of their delegates and presenters might be apprehensive about meeting face-to-face. As a result, OBN wanted to give their delegates and speakers the opportunity to contribute remotely in a truly hybrid event.

To deliver the hybrid event, we combined forces with our friends at White Space Creative Solutions who delivered the in-person event to 200 live delegates, while we were in charge of managing the virtual elements.

• The ability to watch livestreams of each of the sessions and presentations taking place

• The ability to view on demand content after the event

• An exhibition environment where sponsors had their own page of content and the ability to share resources with delegates

• Interactive peer-to-peer chat and networking

• The ability for remote attendees to ask questions to the live speaker.

With two months to go until the event, we knew that Symposy, our in-house events platform, could provide OBN with exactly what they needed. Not only did this allow BioTrinity to be hybrid, with in-person delegates able to socialise with their remote peers, but speakers were also able to deliver their presentations and participate seamlessly in Q&A sessions from their offices and homes.

In addition to the live streams, sessions were made available to watch on demand for two weeks following the event, which was important because there were multiple tracks taking place each day. This feature gave delegates the opportunity to catch up on the sessions that they wouldn’t have been able to see otherwise; thus enabling OBN to deliver a packed programme of speakers, workshops, and presentations to more people than ever before.