- Digital Congress
- 6 inspiring talks
- 53 one-on-one sessions
- 700+ attendees
- 1936 chat messages
As one of our loyal customers, UNIZO asked us to digitally organize their UNIZO Starters Congress for entrepreneurs.
But what are the advantages of setting up a meeting of this kind through our platform and how do we tackle their demands? We take you through everything you need to know about a virtual networking event with 700+ participants, 6 talks and plenty of possibilities to share ideas with the other participants and/or partners.
Introducing UNIZO
Every entrepreneur, experienced or just starting out, in Belgium knows UNIZO. UNIZO is a network organization that connects entrepreneurs with each other by means of a strong community, events, inspiration and advice. And to support them doing so, they appeal to our Thola Event Platform. Repeatedly.
Because UNIZO is one of our loyal clients. Through an annual license, they can organize unlimited events with us. And today we highlight The UNIZO Starters Congress, the fourth one they set up this year, using our virtual meeting space.
Network event
UNIZO asked us to fully organize their Online Starters Congress, a networking and inspirational event for entrepreneurs who are starting out. Their request was divided into several parts:
- First of all, they asked us to set up the entire event. The UNIZO Starters Congress is an online event that includes both information sessions and one-on-one moments with other entrepreneurs. The information sessions (Ondernemerspraat) were talks by 6 widely known entrepreneurs. Afterward, during the one-on-ones, participants could invite each other to acquaint themselves in separate slots of 20 minutes. Finally, there were also networking tables where you could have casual conversations with other matter experts.
- Their second request was to create a sustainable design that UNIZO could use for other events as well. This design is based on a fresh campus-like lobby with partner booths and several auditoriums.
- Finally, we added another dimension ourselves: a backstage setting for the speakers. They could enter the virtual sessions through a different route. In this way, we aim to approach a physical event as closely as possible.
In other words, UNIZO had three cornerstones in mind to organize the event: giving informational sessions, offering the opportunity for entrepreneurs to network, and giving their partners a voice to share their knowledge.
The Thola way
When clients approach us, we always respond with a similar approach in three steps:
- First of all, they asked us to set up the entire event. The starters congress is an online event that includes both information sessions and one-on-one moments with other entrepreneurs. The information sessions (Ondernemerspraat) were talks by 6 widely known entrepreneurs. Afterward, during the one-on-ones, participants could invite each other to acquaint themselves in separate slots of 20 minutes. Finally, there were also networking tables where you could have casual conversations with other matter experts.
- Their second request was to create a sustainable design that UNIZO could use for other events as well. This design is based on a fresh campus-like lobby with partner booths and several auditoriums.
- Finally, we added another dimension ourselves: a backstage setting for the speakers. They could enter the virtual sessions through a different route. In this way, we aim to approach a physical event as closely as possible.
In other words, UNIZO had three cornerstones in mind to organize the event: giving informational sessions, offering the opportunity for entrepreneurs to network, and giving their partners a voice to share their knowledge.
What’s in it for UNIZO?
Our approach brings significant advantages in comparison to organizing an event in person. In terms of cost efficiency, we’ve successfully hosted an event with over 700 guests without the constraints of a fixed location and logistical challenges. Our streamlined process ensures a budget-friendly yet impactful experience.
Further, we focus on accessibility as a key feature of our service. Throughout the entire journey, no technical developer intervention is required. The client retains the flexibility to make configuration adjustments independently, providing a hassle-free experience.
We prioritize a low threshold for participation. With an online event, you do not have any logistics to keep in mind. People can attend from anywhere they like, which eases registration. This flexibility extends to attending specific sessions, providing a tailored experience for participants.
And finally, digital networking is seamlessly integrated, offering immediate access to all relevant data. This enhances the overall engagement and interaction within the event, fostering meaningful connections between participants and/or partners. Which was of course exactly what UNIIZO asked for.
Results?
As we said, we try to lean as close as possible to a real-life event experience. We think that this approach is an essential asset of our event platform and results in impressive outcomes, compared to a physical event.
The Starters Congress garnered 713 invites, showcasing a strong interest and engagement from the target audience. Within just one day, participants exchanged a remarkable 1936 chat messages, underscoring the vibrant and interactive nature of the event and its networking possibilities.
Besides that, the one-on-one sessions, totaling 53, highlight the effectiveness of our approach in facilitating meaningful connections and fostering valuable interactions among participants. These results not only demonstrate the success of the event, but also neatly respond to the initial demands of UNIZO, resulting in another fruitful Thola event experience.
To Thola or not to Thola?
That’s the question! 😉
And although there are a number of notable reasons why you should still consider setting up physical events, this case is yet another example of the many advantages of our online platform in terms of cost efficiency, flexibility and experience. So in conclusion, you should definitely consider checking out our formulas to help you create the perfect experience for your audience, colleagues or customers.
