4 Days. 18 Sessions. 30 Breakouts. 3 Activities.
1 Jellyfish Meditation.
For over three decades, The David & Lucile Packard Foundation has brought the brightest minds in the nation together to share their incredible work — but amid the onset of the pandemic, we needed to effectively share the Fellows’ research on a digital platform while fostering community through authentic virtual engagement.
KEY INGREDIENTS
Event & Experience Design
Gift Sourcing & Coordination
Meeting Management
Technology & IT Management
Registration
KEY ACTIONS
Digging deep to unlock the full potential of going virtual, we transitioned this tried-and-true live meeting into a shared digital experience that delivered so much more than its new name and format.
Our results earned the highest praise, and many of the most successful elements have positively shaped the evolution of the experience going forward, whether in person, online or hybrid.
- Rebranded the meeting to “Our Virtual Coast” with equal parts stunning aesthetics and user-friendly functionality
- Soothing wave sounds and calming coastal scenery welcomed attendees each morning and between sessions
- Reimagined content allowed for the right mix of polished, pre-produced content and lighthearted, live idea-sharing
- Created a “Virtual Coast Library” that allowed the scientists to watch video presentations of each other’s work on-demand
- Expanded reach and accessibility over prior years and helped to more comprehensively host subsequent live Q&A sessions
- Created a spirit of community in strategic ways, kicking off the meeting with a group unboxing followed by engaging group activities, experiences — and even tastings — from the comfort of attendees’ homes
