Our Q1 Education Networking Meetup was a blast! Bringing together a vibrant community of education professionals, we engaged in enriching discussions, explored the latest product updates, and networked with peers to share experiences and best practices. Here's a comprehensive recap of the key highlights and takeaways from the event.
Insights from Jack Blaney
Jack Blaney, Cvent Engagement Leader, Professional Services, kicked off the meetup with an engaging presentation. With his rich background as an Event Manager within Higher Education, Jack highlighted the benefits of OnArrival 360 Professional Services, emphasizing how it can streamline event operations, enhance attendee experiences, and provide robust data for post-event analysis.
Product Updates by Bella Marino
Bella Marino shared exciting product updates, including:
- Media and Document Library Refresh: A revamped library for better organization and accessibility.
- Dynamic Audience Segments: A powerful feature to tailor communication and engagement.
- Session Programs: New functionalities to manage and promote event sessions more effectively.
- Audience Segments Support: Enhanced support for segmenting audiences to deliver more personalized experiences.
Bella also provided more information on the Cvent Essentials Open Beta Program and spotlighted upcoming features on the roadmap:
- OnArrival Badge Designer with Pre-Printed Badge Support
- Fee and Payment Setup
- Advanced Group Purchase
Breakout Sessions: Deep Dives and Discussions
Attendees had the opportunity to choose breakout rooms based on their interests: OnArrival Basic, OnArrival 360/Premium, or General Networking. Each session was filled with vibrant discussions and valuable insights.
OnArrival Basic
The OnArrival Basic session was buzzing with excitement. Attendees were eager to explore its potential for smaller events, particularly appreciating its low commitment and ability to reduce manual errors. Here are some highlights:
- The University of Connecticut and Purdue University shared their plans to use OnArrival Basic for their upcoming April events.
- There was a lot of expressed interest in the pre-printed badges feature.
- MIT discussed using a combination of manual participation and basic features to manage badge printing and event attendance.
OnArrival 360/Premium
The OnArrival 360/Premium session delved into more advanced functionalities. Key points from the discussion included:
- The University of Michigan shared plans to use OnArrival 360 for a 2-day conference with a focus on session scanning and CEU credit tracking.
- UC San Diego shared insights on using OnArrival for large events and provided product feedback for a better process for guests that do not have a unique email address for registration.
General Networking
The General Networking session provided a platform for attendees to discuss various topics, including:
- Leveraging Audience Segments and the new Dynamic Audience Segment functionality to reduce invitation lists.
- Excitement around Session Programs and their phased rollout, starting with Attendee Hub.
- Ideas for future topics, such as better managing guest registration and incentivizing Attendee Hub engagement.
Looking Ahead
The Q1 Education Networking Meetup was a resounding success, filled with collaborative discussions, insightful presentations, and valuable networking opportunities. We're excited to continue these conversations and explore the potential of Cvent's evolving tools and features.
Stay tuned for more updates and join us in future meetups to further enhance your event management strategies.