Converting a key face-to-face (F2F) conference to a virtual think tank

Essentia, a global producer of animal protein solutions for the food and beverage industry planned to hold a 3-day F2F event. Until the pandemic struck and it was no longer an option… 

Events are a superb way to get great minds together to explore possibilities and craft innovative solutions. Essentia wanted to do exactly that for their products and processes. But the restrictions brought on by COVID-19 made meeting F2F impossible. So, Essentia asked VTT to help them create a virtual alternative to bring all 22 delegates together. 

The metrics

22 participants

4 Hours of facilitation

16 presentations delivered & discussed

Challenge

• Coach key Essentia team to facilitate engaging and constructive breakout sessions. 
• Ensure the whole conference process ran seamlessly. 
• Help participants cover a wide range of discussion topics in a virtual environment. 
• Introduce Essentia colleagues to MS Teams and leverage its full functionality. 
• There was a large amount of content, and very little time to get through it! 

Solution

• Coach the facilitation team to use powerful virtual ideation techniques. 
• VTT provided a tutorial and ongoing assistance with MS Teams. 
• 2 x 4-hour sessions to be run on separate days. 
• VTT also introduced Essentia to software for capturing and measuring ideas. 

Result

• The groups now enjoy a greater understanding of MS Teams and its functionality, including how to create and use breakout rooms. 
• Everyone’s confidence in MS Teams grew significantly. 
• The ideas and processes were discussed thoroughly and in a timely fashion. 
• The whole team were involved, meaning no social loafing! 
• Facilitation team gained confidence in virtual environments. 
• Allowed the event to proceed despite COVID-19. 
• Generated an appetite to use virtual approaches going forwards.