The Financial Times Global Boardroom conference that took place from the 11th to the 13th of November was my first truly digital conference event. I went into it planning on attending just a few key sessions as one would in a usual conference setting, but what resulted was a steady stream of back to back sessions, flooding my mind with insights.
Here are the five things I learned:
Increased engagement and a higher calibre of speakers delivered an optimum learning environment
The digital conference format provided a greater way for the audience to engage with speaker, including the Q&A section and the guaranteed allotment of time each facilitator allowed in the sessions to address questions was a breath of fresh air. The fear that comes with asking questions in public was gone, which ensured more questions were poised. This matched with the breadth of topics and the high calibre of speakers that were able to attend due to the digital setting resulted in a highly engaging event that was captivating and informative.
Digital is no longer just a word but is a business norm
Digital technology investment across the breadth of industries was highlighted as being high in 2020, from digital ecosystem creation, software integration through to renewable energy investment the fear of technology has dissipated. Businesses that were fearful of working from home have now opened their minds to the idea and how technology is something to embrace and can drive growth while still ensuring high performance and security. For me, working with technology clients this is music to my ears as it has been a long held belief by the majority of my network, but now has become a norm for even those industries with the most traditional models.
The tourism industry is capitalising on the opportunity
Post-pandemic travel would be greener and more sustainable. This statement is music to my ears. Personally having started my career in the tourism industry at the Government communications and policy level, hearing that the global industry shares a general consensus that rushing a return at the detriment to the environment is not an option, and that a recovery that may take years rather than quarters will deliver an increasingly efficient future for the industry. Not just in its environmental impact, but costs associated with delivery.
A sustainable future is a shared goal
Building back better for a sustainable future is truly a shared belief for business. Hearing speakers from a wide range of industry sectors and every corner of the globe speak about the technological improvements to their business models, for example Hybrid working models, increased digital integration and investment into alternate fuels such Green Hydrogen.
The power is with the audience
The power truly fell into the audiences hand, the traditional conference setting has moved into an on-demand model that allowed us, the audience, to take control of our viewing and learning. As mentioned earlier, I stretched the conference out to two weeks and was as such able to enjoy at least90% of the event agenda. Not because I had to because I wanted to and was able to.
Continuous learning and commitment to sustainability and opportunity is at the core of what makes Bray St. unique, they are our values. The Bray St. team logged on and engaged with sessions that peaked their own personal and professional interests and prompted discussion about the future of our work as it applies to our clients and our own business.
Two weeks after the conference I am still logging in and catching up on bookmarked sessions and speaking to my network (if they want to hear about it or not. ha!) about my outtakes. Will the digital conference setting replace the traditional model? In a learning environment setting, I doubt it will replace it, but I do hope it becomes a regular secondary option as now not only big business can grow from the learnings and insights on offer, but so can start-up and SME organisations who might be expenditure low but are insight hungry.
And that would be my biggest takeaway, the digital conference format allows the insights and experience of the world best to be shared amongst all. Providing opportunity and insights to a larger global audience of the privileged big business and the hungry entrepreneurial start up.