Scientific conferences have long been the medium of scientific exchange, inspiration and collaboration that drive the scientific endeavor forward. During the pandemic, we have all been forced to reimagine how to engage virtually to accomplish these goals, with varying degrees of success. On November 15 & 16, 2022, Keystone Symposia hosted a free eSymposia virtual meeting convening leading conference organizations, virtual platform hosts and scientists from around the world to explore best practices in virtual conferencing, and hybrid events (in-person and virtual platforms) for maintaining the efficacy and vibrance of scientific exchange.
We discussed lessons learned from the pandemic in how to engage audiences online by creating interactive and collaborative environments in the virtual world. The program examined benefits of virtual formats, such as inclusivity of more diverse audiences (globally, economically etc.), and enhanced access to the latest scientific discoveries. We also explored challenges, including:
We discussed how to optimize hybrid events to seamlessly integrate the interactions and discourse between in-person and virtual attendees.
Together we outlined new ways to enhance the engagement of the scientific community and promote scientific advancement in more carbon-neutral ways moving forward, and ultimately shape the future of scientific conferences for the betterment of science, and future of our planet.
It is time to invest in developing novel ways of connecting and collaborating to facilitate scientific advances, and the pandemic has provided an unexpected proving ground to guide us towards a more sustainable future.
Watch the Event Recording Below On Demand
Keynote speakers share different perspectives on how and why to invest in virtual and hybrid conference formats.
Scientific societies and conference organizations share their experiences and lessons learned in virtual conference organization and implementation, including logistical and economic considerations.
Part I:
Part II:
Companies and organizations showcase their technologies, and how platforms are designed to optimize connections and collaboration to better recapitulate in-person interactions and outcomes.
Presenters from throughout the 2 days discussed the challenges, solutions and lessons learned over the past 2 days, deriving outcomes, best practices and next steps. Conclusions are presented for how we can best move forward to encourage scientific exchange, engage the scientific community and catalyze scientific advancement in virtual and hybrid conference formats.