🤝 re:compass #47: Networking is Broken

Navigator for events during 12–18 April 2021

As we already know, event statistics is a broad field filled with fuzzy data that cannot really be cross-checked between different report providers. Alas, it is still interesting to keep an eye on the major players in the event industry.

Swapcard recently published their report on the Business of Virtual Events, aptly subtitled “How To Close Business Deals At A Virtual Event, According To Data”. Differently from other reports that focused on overall attendance and audience observations for all event types and sizes, Swapcard specifically focus on virtual trade shows and conferences that have been attended by at least 1.000 people. That accounts to 461 virtual events between April and December 2020.

Interesting bits of information from that report tell that 39.55% attendees on average were “active”. Can’t decide if it is much or really not a lot. Online fatigue is a real thing, and it could be quite impressive if more than a third of virtual event attendees are actually engaged with the content, exhibitors and sponsors.

Another interesting stat is that it seems pre-event time is the major factor for lead generation. The shorter the event is, the more important pre-event time is. Which brings fascinating observations: a) organizers shall open virtual platform before the actual event for the attendees to gain maximum benefits, and b) during the event people pay attention to content and not much anything else.

The last stat to highlight is this: only 5–6% of time during the virtual event is spent on networking. I’m surprised the report officially haven’t declared that online networking is broken.

All in all, report states insightful suggestions for virtual event organizers, and, best of all, it gives a very good negotiation points to secure sponsorships. If you do not want to leave your email address to get the report, PDF file can be found here.

📺 Digital MIPTV Week

When: 12–16 April 2021
Access: €250
Format: online conference

Digital MIPTV brings all TV ecosystem for a curated week of personalised business meetings, exclusive market intelligence, conference sessions and global networking. The Conferences & Events programme will feature plenty of opportunities to business networking through online thematic meet-ups, one-to-many workshops, mentoring, as well as breakout sessions to boost sales, acquisitions, coproduction and development among TV execs worldwide across Doc, Factual, Formats, Drama and Kids. Tune in if you are working with the content production.

💀 Skoll World Forum

When: 13–15 April 2021
Access: free
Format: online conference

Skoll World Forum is an outstanding event for anyone interested in impact tech, climate and social justice. The 2021 Forum is designed for everyone dedicated to social progress. Theme this year is “Closing the Distance” and examines local and global divides as we work together to build bridges. Event will explore ways to close the distance between the world’s toughest challenges and the innovative solutions that aim to build a better future for all — taking time to become closer with each other along the way.

💲 Raising $55M in One Year: How I Did It

When: 13 April 2021
Access: free
Format: online session

A StartupGrind event with Derek Andersen, co-founder of Bevy. in 2017, Startup Grind spun out their community events software to create what is now Bevy. Derek has bootstrapped Startup Grind for 10 years and just announced a Series C round for Bevy, bringing their valuation to $325 million. Alongside one of his investors, Kobie Fuller of Upfront, hear how Derek’s done it — what he’s learned both bootstrapping and funding and perhaps more importantly, what he would never do again.

😈 The BAD Conference

When: 14–15 April 2021
Access: £139 — £449 + taxes
Format: online conference

The BAD Conference is actually really GOOD. That is, if you are interested in behavioural science, psychology and user experiences. The event will webcast some of the world’s leading UX psychologists and researchers direct to your home, to talk about implementation of behavioural psychology into user research and design. Make the human the centre of the design process!

☘️ To The Point: Green Innovation in Europe — the good, the bad and the ugly

When: 15 April 2021, 10:00 BST
Access: free
Format: online session

There is clearly a global shift underway in the startup, investment and government space to create and scale innovative technologies to tackle the immense problems that are (and will be) caused by climate change and other factors. Together with leading entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and business experts, Tech.eu will get to the point about what is — and isn’t — happening in Europe today on that level.

🌠 TNW Boost

When: 15 April 2021, 14:00 CEST
Access: €100 — €250 + VAT
Format: online conference

TNW continues their series of online couch conferences into 2021. The first one, Boost, will expand on Re:Brand (one of the most popular tracks at their annual flagship event) with a greater scope of digital marketing content, and a new focus on data-driven growth marketing. Join sessions with thought leaders from the world’s most innovative companies and learn tactics for driving growth and capturing consumer interest.

💸 [MoneyNext] The Rise of Banking-as-a-Service

When: 15 April 2021, 10:00 GMT
Access: free
Type: online session

At a fundamental level, Banking-as-a-Service allows non-banks to access and offer services that have previously only been afforded to traditional financial institutions with banking licences. In a world driven by seamless digital experience, BaaS is fast becoming a major focus for financial institutions and specialist Fintech’s, opening up new revenue streams, whilst providing improved customer experiences for the end users. But Banking-as-a-Service is still in its infancy; how it will mature over time, who will lead the market, and the true extent of the opportunities on offer are still yet to be realised. This episode of On the Money, with a panel of industry leaders joining us, aims to answer those questions and explore the current and future BaaS landscape.

🧾 Digital Roundtable with Ryan Begelman

When: 15 April 2021, 18:00 EEST
Access: free
Format: online session

Techsylvania team is inviting to join their Digital Roundtable edition with Ryan Begelman, a man who invested $50,000 in a company and sold it for $50M. Ryan is an executive coach and investor, founder of Summit Series and former CEO @ Bisnow Media. Currently, he helps entrepreneurs acquire companies and structure capital, and leaders achieve their goals, perform at higher levels and find greater well being.

💯 What’s NEXT with Eliza Filby

When: 15 April 2021, 17:00 CET
Access: free
Format: online session

Another great episode of What’s NEXT, this time with Eliza Filby. Dr. Eliza Filby is a writer, speaker and consultant who specialises in ‘Generational Intelligence’ helping companies and services understand generational shifts within politics, society and the workplace. ypes of questions she addresses includes: Why are the over-50s dominating the Gig-economy? Why do Millennials prioritise an in-work gym over an in-work pensions scheme? Why are Gen Z tech-inate but tech-skeptics? Join the event to share your thoughts and questions.

📒 Pernilla Nissler, CEO of Blocket on the Future of E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces

When: 16 April 2021, 12:00 CEST
Access: free
Format: online session

The Pandemic has accelerated the digital rush with e-commerce and online marketplaces gaining a center-stage in the future of shopping. StartupGrind holds a fireside chat with Pernilla Nissler, CEO of Blocket, Sweden’s largest online marketplace to talk about trends in e-commerce and lessons from Covid-19 for businesses. StartupGrind runs a series of events through April under label “Funding Month”. Check all offerings here.

re:compass is a weekly event navigator for entrepreneurs in the tech industry. Subscribe to receive the guide to your inbox every Friday or join re:compass calendar to have event recommendations right next to your schedule.