The conference for online creators transformed its annual gathering into a year-long online offering. 

Pulling off a successful virtual event is no easy task, especially when there are thousands of attendees to cater to, but it can also present opportunities to rethink your entire event strategy. Such was the case for VidCon, an annual conference for digital creators that typically attracts 75,000 attendees. It was one of the first events canceled due to Covid-19 last March. But rather than cancel outright, the organizers decided to transform the four-day, in-person conference into a summer-long digital program.

It proved successful enough that VidCon was soon expanded into a year-long online offering. In the end, its 2020 numbers far surpassed that of previous years. 

In this episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, Jim Louderback, general manager and senior vice president of VidCon, speaks with Northstar Meetings Group’s associate editor Elise Schoening about how they created new opportunities by embracing digital. Louderback discusses the process of bringing an event of this size online, including how to generate engagement opportunities with such a large gathering (4:00), how to tailor content to a truly global audience (6:10) and VidCon’s new metrics for success (12:05). 

The conference for online creators transformed its annual gathering into a year-long online offering.&nbsp;
Pulling off a successful virtual event is no easy task, especially when there are thousands of attendees to cater to, but it can also present opportunities to rethink your entire event strategy. Such was the case for VidCon, an annual conference for digital creators that typically attracts 75,000 attendees. It was one of the first events canceled due to Covid-19 last March. But rather than cancel outright, the organizers decided to transform the four-day, in-person conference into a summer-long digital program.
It proved successful enough that VidCon was soon expanded into a year-long online offering. In the end, its 2020 numbers far surpassed that of previous years.&nbsp;
In this episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, Jim Louderback, general manager and senior vice president of VidCon, speaks with Northstar Meetings Group&rsquo;s associate editor Elise Schoening about how they created new opportunities by embracing digital. Louderback discusses the process of bringing an event of this size online, including how to generate engagement opportunities with such a large gathering (4:00), how to tailor content to a truly global audience (6:10) and VidCon&rsquo;s new metrics for success (12:05).&nbsp;

Hosted by Northstar Meetings Group, Eventful invites you to listen in on insightful conversations about hot topics in the meetings and events industry. Tune in for interviews and analysis of the editorial coverage in Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Meeting News and Incentive.

Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals

How Going Digital Made VidCon Bigger Than Ever

When it comes to developing creative, out-of-the-box meeting experiences, independent hotels provide a number of appealing options for event planners. In this episode of Eventful, created in partnership with the Caribe Royale Orlando, we delve into the advantages of working with independent properties, by looking in depth at Caribe Royale’s approach to events. We speak with the property’s managing director, Amaury Piedra about how he and his team works with meeting planners to create exceptional events—and how input from meeting planners has shaped new, major upgrades to the property. 

For a bigger-picture perspective on the value of independent hotels, we also spoke with Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International, which serves as a global sales arm for independent hotels for meetings, incentives and conventions. He shared what he thinks sets independents apart and how planners can leverage their offerings.

Listen to the in-depth conversation in our latest episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, and remember to subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.

This episode was created in partnership with Caribe Royale Orlando.

When it comes to developing creative, out-of-the-box meeting experiences, independent hotels provide a number of appealing options for event planners. In this episode of Eventful, created in partnership with the <a href="https://www.cariberoyalemeetings.com/">Caribe Royale Orlando</a>, we delve into the advantages of working with independent properties, by looking in depth at Caribe Royale’s approach to events. We speak with the property’s managing director, Amaury Piedra about how he and his team works with meeting planners to create exceptional events—and how input from meeting planners has shaped new, major upgrades to the property.  For a bigger-picture perspective on the value of independent hotels, we also spoke with Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of <a href="https://www.alhi.com/">Associated Luxury Hotels International</a>, which serves as a global sales arm for independent hotels for meetings, incentives and conventions. He shared what he thinks sets independents apart and how planners can leverage their offerings.
Listen to the in-depth conversation in our latest episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, and remember to subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eventful-the-podcast-for-meeting-professionals/id1469374371">iTunes</a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4XKAaL35AcZDxmgRjjCQaM">, </a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4XKAaL35AcZDxmgRjjCQaM">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/anchor-podcasts/eventful-the-podcast-for-meeting-professionals"></a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4XKAaL35AcZDxmgRjjCQaM"></a><a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9iZmQwNTg4L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz">Google Podcasts</a> and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. This episode was created in partnership with Caribe Royale Orlando.

The Benefits of Planning Events With Independent Properties

In this insightful conversation, Maayan Ziv [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maayanziv/], the visionary founder of Access Now [https://accessnow.com], discusses the complex realm of accessibility and its profound impact on events and spaces. Originating from her personal struggle as a wheelchair user seeking reliable information, her company, Access Now, has grown into an online community and a catalyst for promoting inclusive practices.

In advance of her Oct. 16 keynote address for IMEX America in Las Vegas, Ziv spoke with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the need for destinations, venues and event planners to "unlearn" current practices and understand what true accessibility requires.

• The origins of Access Now (00:00-00:39): Born out of Ziv's personal need, Access Now initially focused on solving the difficulty of finding reliable accessibility information. It has since evolved into a multifaceted platform, collaborating with DMOs and other stakeholders to promote accessibility in destinations, venues, attractions and business events.

• Identifying gaps in DEI initiatives (01:28-03:10): Accessibility is often overlooked in DEI conversations, with cities and organizations yet to embrace it fully and commit to inclusive practices.

• Accessibility as a continuous journey (03:10-05:00): Accessibility is an evolving process, now going beyond physical spaces to include digital access.

• ADA compliance vs. usability (05:00-06:42): There's a distinction between ADA compliance and usability. True inclusivity involves considering the entire customer experience, well beyond mere compliance.

• Recommendations for events (06:42-08:45): Planners should consider involving consultants or staff with disabilities in the process, ensuring a holistic approach to accessibility in language, representation and planning.

•  Actions to enhance accessibility (08:45-10:50): Proactive measures, like having accessibility desks and sharing information in advance, significantly enhance the inclusivity of events.

• Market opportunity and audience size (10:50-13:57): More than 20 percent of the population has some sort of disability, representing vast market potential for event planners who invest in genuine accessibility, unlocking the loyalty of a sizable audience appreciative of inclusive experiences.

In this insightful conversation, Maayan Ziv [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maayanziv/], the visionary founder of Access Now [https://accessnow.com], discusses the complex realm of accessibility and its profound impact on events and spaces. Originating from her personal struggle as a wheelchair user seeking reliable information, her company, Access Now, has grown into an online community and a catalyst for promoting inclusive practices.   In advance of her Oct. 16 keynote address for IMEX America in Las Vegas, Ziv spoke with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the need for destinations, venues and event planners to "unlearn" current practices and understand what true accessibility requires.   • The origins of Access Now (00:00-00:39): Born out of Ziv's personal need, Access Now initially focused on solving the difficulty of finding reliable accessibility information. It has since evolved into a multifaceted platform, collaborating with DMOs and other stakeholders to promote accessibility in destinations, venues, attractions and business events.   • Identifying gaps in DEI initiatives (01:28-03:10): Accessibility is often overlooked in DEI conversations, with cities and organizations yet to embrace it fully and commit to inclusive practices.   • Accessibility as a continuous journey (03:10-05:00): Accessibility is an evolving process, now going beyond physical spaces to include digital access.   • ADA compliance vs. usability (05:00-06:42): There's a distinction between ADA compliance and usability. True inclusivity involves considering the entire customer experience, well beyond mere compliance.   • Recommendations for events (06:42-08:45): Planners should consider involving consultants or staff with disabilities in the process, ensuring a holistic approach to accessibility in language, representation and planning.   •  Actions to enhance accessibility (08:45-10:50): Proactive measures, like having accessibility desks and sharing information in advance, significantly enhance the inclusivity of events.   • Market opportunity and audience size (10:50-13:57): More than 20 percent of the population has some sort of disability, representing vast market potential for event planners who invest in genuine accessibility, unlocking the loyalty of a sizable audience appreciative of inclusive experiences.

Breaking Access Barriers to Meetings

Attorney Joshua Grimes provides a legal perspective on duty of care, cancellation clauses and more when planning events in states with controversial legislation.

Many meeting professionals believe controversial issues like abortion rights are political concerns that have no bearing on their jobs. But that isn't true, says industry attorney Joshua Grimes, Esq., president of Grimes Law Offices, LLC. In this episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, Grimes talks with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the potential risks legislation could pose to meeting organizers and attendees.

This timely and important discussion covers:

• Why controversial legislation shouldn't be dismissed as "politics" (0.15)

• How laws regarding bathroom use, prenatal health care, undocumented immigrants and other concerns can directly affect meetings and attendees (1.00)

• Possible workarounds for meeting successfully where such laws exist (3:30)

• The effectiveness of nondiscrimination clauses in meeting contracts (5:00)

• Duty of care, liability and other legal concerns (9:15)

• Weighing the decision to cancel an event (12:00)

• Why planners, suppliers and industry associations should be having candid conversations about legislative issues (14:15)

Attorney Joshua Grimes provides a legal perspective on duty of care, cancellation clauses and more when planning events in states with controversial legislation.   Many meeting professionals believe controversial issues like abortion rights are political concerns that have no bearing on their jobs. But that isn't true, says industry attorney Joshua Grimes, Esq., president of Grimes Law Offices, LLC. In this episode of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, Grimes talks with Northstar's Loren Edelstein about the potential risks legislation could pose to meeting organizers and attendees.   This timely and important discussion covers:   • Why controversial legislation shouldn't be dismissed as "politics" (0.15)   • How laws regarding bathroom use, prenatal health care, undocumented immigrants and other concerns can directly affect meetings and attendees (1.00)   • Possible workarounds for meeting successfully where such laws exist (3:30)   • The effectiveness of nondiscrimination clauses in meeting contracts (5:00)   • Duty of care, liability and other legal concerns (9:15)   • Weighing the decision to cancel an event (12:00)   • Why planners, suppliers and industry associations should be having candid conversations about legislative issues (14:15)

How Going Digital Made VidCon Bigger Than Ever

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