We’ve brought together industry experts to talk about creating virtual experiences that surprise, delight and engage. We’ll go beyond the conceptual and give you practical hands-on tips that you can walk away with and implement immediately.

2. What are we talking about
• Re-setting your mental frame (from limits to possibilities)
• Think like an Experience Architect
Attendee Experience
Sponsor Sales
Content Delivery
Presenters
Allie Magyar
CEO
Hubb
Naomi Clare Crellin
Founder
Storycraft Lab
Justin Boone
VP Creative Strategy
Opus Agency

3. This situation sucks, and we don’t want to be here,
but that doesn’t mean that virtual events have to suck.
In fact, we can make them awesome (yes, we can!)

4. OPPORTUNITY
FOR
REVOLUTION
Big ideas being shared today
• We WANT to innovate and change.
• We ARE agile by nature.
• What is our opportunity to become
unlimited – untethered?
• How do we create with the idea of
how things could be?

5. Shifting from
Virtual Events
to Experiences

6. Create Awesome
Experience
Journeys with
Empathy

7. Virtual Spaces
Do not have to Suck.

8. Content Journey
Conference Engagement Architecture
Imagine representing content as a floorplan. It’s a simple device that allows the virtual
attendee to conceive of their experience as a journey, not a website. They could plan their
virtual journey much as they would by mapping out a physical experience.
DROP-IN
Flash meeting
on TOPIC
happening
Now!
MEET UP
Folks you
should
connect with!
35
Attendees
are exploring
Hall 4
Product
showcase
theater
Live demo in
30 minutes
Designing with the idea of fostering Agency
*These images, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab.
They are provided for discussion and inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: expoguide.co.kr/product/info_main.html?g_uid=3725

9. Space and Place
Virtual is real. Don’t be defined by the Platform
Make it Meaningful. Why go to a glossy clinical space that could be anywhere in the year 2075?
Make it yours – Have attendees explore your own space. You might allow attendees to go behind the
scenes with your real teams, ask questions, see products demos. You could be anywhere – so let’s be
somewhere intentional. This is site selection. Where do you want to take your attendee?
Talk to Storycraft Lab
customization of your
virtual event environment
*These image, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab. They are provided for discussion
and inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: Cyber Security Summit, Virtual Conf Center; Motorola Mobility Office; SMB Connect; Hubb Virtual Conference, StorycraftLab

10. Signing Up means Taking a Seat
Degrees of Engagement
Virtual sessions are not anonymous.
What if we helped attendees to understand that their presence – though virtual – is very real? That their engagement
is important and benefits the shared experience? A recognition of the individuals in the session helps everyone feel
present and encourages engagement. A visual image of the ‘space’ as an attendee enters a virtual room helps to set
the stage for engagement.
Round Table:
INNOVATIVE
FUTURES
Your seat: 12
Seat: 8
Sally Jones,
VP Engagement
ABC Inc HI!
Seat: 2E
Vinny Smith,
Dir. Digital Media
XYZ Inc
ROUNDTABLE STUDY GROUPS HANDS ON LAB
CLASSROOM SUMMIT THEATER
*These image, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab.
They are provided for discussion and inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple

11. Design still matters
Branding and graphic design can still live in virtual spaces
Think of your screen as a brand canvas.
And consider the platform your frame. Every space or session your attendee
encounters should be well considered and branded to your selected identity.
Consider the sequence of spaces to create a journey. How we use design
tools in this context to enable content to break through that plane.
Talk to Storycraft Lab
about virtual conference
branding opportunities
*These images, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab.
They are provided for discussion and inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: mdcwall.com,; UC Berkely College

12. Attendee Experience
Does not have to Suck.

13. Thoughtful and Personalized.
Engaging your attendees as agents of their own experience.
Engagement and dialogue.
Ask your attendee to share their preferences for learning, content and
experiences. They can help you to focus topics and sessions and refine your
development process. Using a tool like the Creative Types (or other
Archetypes) can generate automated suggestions for session mix and even
create communities and networking conversations.
Adobe Creative Types
Talk to Storycraft Lab
about customizing
virtual journeys for
your specific audience
Virtual Avatars
We can be playful in how we wish to exist virtually.
Design with audience in mind – with your audience
as co-creators. Could they select a superhero?
Humorous, lighthearted gamification is easy to
engage with.
*These images, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft
Lab. They are provided for discussion and inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: Creative Types by Adobe Create

14. Breaking the virtual plane
How might we extend the live experience beyond the screen to the remote attendee?
Remote attendance kit
Specifically designed to enhance their virtual
experience, this could be mailed to remote attendees.
Appeal to all the senses – something to do with your
hands! There are behavioral insights we can keep in
mind.
Sense of Place
Inflate a pool float, put an umbrella in your drink or
virtually create your video conference backdrop...
there in spirit, right? Go outside!
*These image, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab. They are provided for discussion and inspiration only. Images we are able to
attribute are as follows: DesignKit.org, “Field Guide to Human-Centered Design”; FrogDesign.com, Frog Collective Action Toolkit; Google Cardboard, Google VR; Zoom Video Communications

15. Breaking the virtual plane
How might we extend the live experience beyond the screen to the remote attendee?
Personalization
Beyond the ribbon, sticker or pin. Take the
filter and make it your own. Could be
gamified and activated.
Location, Location, Location
Merchandise to your virtual venue and get
Destinations involved.
These images, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or Pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab. They are provided for discussion and inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute
are as follows: 1. Minted.com; 2. visitlasvegas.com

16. Virtually inclusive
Actual Humans connecting with Actual Humans
Orchestrated serendipity
for the virtual audience could unlock ‘easter eggs’ –
prizes or connection opportunities. “Congrats! you
just won a virtual coffee break with our VP Digital
Media”. Or a Chat-roulette experience that creates
unexpected connections.
Co-creation opportunities
delivered virtually, such as live polling, question up-voting
and group mind-mapping. People could contribute and
have it be interactive, or an artist could document the
conversation live.
These image, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or Pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab. They are provided for discussion and inspiration only.
Images we are able to attribute are as follows: 1. unattributed; 2. www.mindmapinspiration.co.uk; 3. shutterstock; 4. picturessource.com; webwise.com
Talk to Storycraft Lab
about designing co-
creation activations

17. Integrated and connected learning
Opportunity for Attendee-driven meeting creation
Pop-Up Rooms
On-demand meeting scheduling for
meaningful connections; Make virtual
appointments with other conference
attendees
Virtual Study Groups
that have a pre-selected /
curated list of participants. And
may even have ‘Pre-reading’ that
helps the attendees come
prepared to engage.
‘Drop-in’s’
Office hours conversations that can be
joined by ‘passers-by’.
1-on-1 and/or Group Mentor sessions
could be planned after online event
connected to the discussed topics
Want to design session
formats for virtual learners?
Talk to Storycraft Lab!
These image, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or Pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab. They are provided for discussion and inspiration only.
Images we are able to attribute are as follows: 1. Adobe Stock; 2. topsy.one

18. Designing Learning for Virtual Engagement
Varied Lesson plans that are virtual-centric
Varied Session Formats
Recognizing the context. Train facilitators to present 20-minute sessions that are interactive and dynamic.
Understanding that we all learn differently: plan a variety of types of session and craft the session to
deliver content specifically in the virtual environment. Our window of engagement is different virtually.
Think about content being on demand and self-driven. Masterclass is a great case study!
These image, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or Pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab.
They are provided for discussion and inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: ideo.org

19. Sponsor Sales
Do not have to Suck.

20. #Trending still matters
It’s STILL all about the ‘gram
Activations.
Exercises designed for social. Have fun! Recreation of objects, images, artworks – specific to campus or
brand. We’re seeing things that are made, expressing creativity, posting with an evolved sense of purpose as
a result of our context.
These image, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or Pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab.
They are provided for discussion and inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: boredpanda.com

21. Partners in the Virtual Space
How might we extend the live experience for sponsors and partners to differentiate?
Custom backdrops
Sponsors might get artistic with a
series of backdrops that would
create a common setting.
Branded Kit
Sponsors could help create a ‘swag bag’ for virtual attendees.

22. Partners in the Virtual Space
What should the ‘Expo’ experience be?
Let’s think about what we want the expo to be. A space where
remote attendees can be inspired by partner stories, ask
questions of exhibitors, engage with product demos? What if
sponsors had their booths built and 3D rendered for explorers?
What if the content presentations could be differentiated, so not
every ‘booth’ experience is the same?
Think about Exhibitor Levels – what would a Silver, Gold or
Platinum presence look like? What features would be included?
Could we group a virtual exhibit hall around vertical
neighborhoods and allow attendees to create their journey?
What does an exhibit look like when we take away the
limitations of physical space? How do communicate your story?
Let’s face it – the Expo experience at live events is ripe for
innovation. This is a great opportunity.
Actual humans, Awesome content, Mixed Reality tools
*These images, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or pinterest - and do not represent the work of
Storycraft Lab. They are provided for discussion and inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: virtualtradeshowhosting.com, islandinflatables.co.uk

23. Return on Experience
Measuring engagement
Data Evolutions.
Track the time that attendees remain in a demo room, actively engage with polling exercises. Show
on schedules where traffic is focused and receive feedback on satisfaction levels with sessions and
content. Recommendations on learning pathways as an extension of Consumer Journey thinking.
*These images, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or pinterest - and do not represent the work of
Storycraft Lab. They are provided for discussion and inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: titlesearch.us

24. Content Delivery
Does not have to Suck.

25. Facilitation 101
Backdrop, setting
It takes planning to be natural.
John is a professional. These kinds of skills don’t come naturally to all of us. Facilitators need help staging their environments
– and practicing their presentations – for this to work. In many ways the bar for presenters is actually higher than ever. There
are no show lights, no scenic, all the theater has been removed. So, conference organizers have to be prepared to support
their presenters in a new way.
Need help with virtual
Speaker support, scripting
and presentation?
Talk to Storycraft Lab!
These image, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or Pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab. They are provided for discussion and
inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: reddit.com; youtube.com

26. Attendee Intelligence
Connecting preference to recommendation
Learning Pathway Algorithms
Use Attendee Learning Choices as we would Consumer Behavior –
identify, unlock and connect virtual attendees with your content – just
as you would at a live event! Spotify model – allows people to share
their own playlist. The trackable click-throughs are built into virtual -
enabling easier than physical ability to track movement.
Live Value Assessment
Consider building into each area quick sentiment or value surveys
for live input. Allowing feedback to be visible to facilitators
enables them to refine delivery real-time. Provide attendees with
recommendations for subsequent sessions based on how well that
session worked for them.
These image, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or Pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab. They are provided for discussion and
inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: stock.adobe.com

27. Second (and Third?) Screen
Infinity engagement
Prepare to chat
Sidebar comments become mainbar. Prepare to receive feedback – and respond to it in a meaningful way.
Second screen at home is still an important part of the audience experience.
These image, while unattributed, are the result of using images in the public domain - i.e., from google image search or Pinterest - and do not represent the work of Storycraft Lab. They are provided for discussion and
inspiration only. Images we are able to attribute are as follows: 1. ingrum.org; 2.polycom.de

28. Variety of Formats
And degrees of formality, visibility, and content extension
Space to check out:
No video please.
Navigate incognito.
1 on 1: Quick chat –
15mins to brainstorm
a project with a peer.
1 on 1: Walk + Talk –
30 mins Get outside
(could be opened up
to others).
1 on 1: Fireside Chat
– 45 mins, Mentoring
vibe. Could invite
external participants.
3-9: Workshops –
Problem + solution –
tools for ideation.
3-9: Labs – Show
and share demos.
Skill and techniques.
3-9: Study Groups –
Discussion based. Extend
content conversations.
9-15: Conference -
Presenter led with
group discussion.
Could have ‘viewers’.
9-15 Round Table
/Panel. Facilitated
group conversation.
Could have viewers.
15+ Classroom –
Highly Interactive
delivery/ presentation
with learning goals.
9-15 Interactive Stage
– Meet the experts,
Q&A, Scenario role
play. Could have
viewers.
15+ Summit.
Staged Presentation
with structured
dialogue.
++++
Theater
Self Guided:
Toolkits, exercises
en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org
Talk to Storycraft Lab
about your Session and
Content strategy.

29. OPPORTUNITY
FOR REVOLUTION
Yes! We Can!
• We WANT to innovate and change.
• We are agile by nature.
• Don’t be afraid to imagine and ideate.
• Find partners to help you focus your
development and step through the pivot.
• At each step, ask yourselves and your teams
What is our opportunity to become untethered?
How do we create with the idea of what could be?
• Be bold, dream big, do wonderful things –
one step at a time.
This is YOUR

31. Q&A
Allie Magyar
CEO
Hubb
Naomi Clare Crellin
Founder
Storycraft Lab
Justin Boone VP
Creative Strategy
Opus Agency
@alliemagyar @Naomi_Clare @justinjboone