Today I had a most interesting experience, when Hubby Tony and I attended a virtual convention.
The convention was for an organization we both belong to. At the beginning of the year the organization started planning for a traditional in-person convention. Then in March everything changed. At first there was talk of cancelling the whole thing, but eventually the committee decided to reformulate things and hold it via Zoom. I registered a couple of months ago. In addition to the general registration, there was an opportunity to sign up for the small group meetings which were scheduled throughout the day.
The convention started right on time. After the opening comments, the day was divided into six large group speaker presentations, five small group meetings, and breaks for lunch and dinner. When each speaker finished, the group was magically divided and sent into their breakout rooms for individual discussion.
This was, by far, the largest video meeting I've ever attended. The attendance ebbed and flowed throughout the day, but at the highest there were a couple of hundred people in the large meetings, and 40 to 50 in the small ones. Most people logged in using video so I could see them and their name, but there were several blank screens with phone numbers, indicating that people had phoned in.
As in all of the Zoom meetings I've attended, the host asked us to mute ourselves when we weren't speaking. It was a good thing I did, because Jackson the cat made a couple of passes through the room, meowing to let us know he was there. At the end of each speaker, instead of giving them a round of applause, everyone unmuted themselves and there was a cacophony of 'thank yous'.
I had a great time, but the only downside of the virtual convention was that there was a whole lot of sitting around, with no opportunity to move from room to room or stand up to chat with other people. After the last speaker had finished, there was a short survey, then the coordinator offered some closing remarks, and thanked us for coming.
Five years ago today: Snag A Suture
" ... the only downside of the virtual convention was that there was a whole lot of sitting around, with no opportunity to move from room to room ..."
ReplyDeleteSame thing when I attended a similar group meeting on computer. What I did then is move the computer to the dining room when we had a break for lunch or coffee; and move it again to a small room when we had the group sessions, then back to the office when it was the main conference. The problem was that my office was too crowded with 200 people on the Zoom/Team conference at once.
God bless.
That's a LOT of people doing the same thing!
DeleteInteresting experience thanks for sharing. We are moving into a new way of doing things which is here to stay.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're wrong about the permanence of the new way of doing things, but I suspect you're right.
DeleteIt's really tough. Our grandies are hanging in with virtual schooling. My internet was wonky and my zoom meeting was patchy. sigh. I just can't focus that long.
ReplyDeleteIt was a VERY long day, and by the end I was really antsy.
DeleteThat's what I miss about attending church--the meeting and greeting and chatting. I like the online service and all, but it's the fellowship with others that is missing. I could see that being an issue with an online conference. Much of what goes on at a conference is the personal meet-ups, the getting to know people, mingling and making new friends.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right about the 'extras' that go along with the actual event.
DeleteThat unknown blogger (of which I'm not) is Delaine Zody!
ReplyDelete:-)
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