In-Person/Hybrid Events
ConversazioniGenealogy@LT
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1thornton37814
Just finished up with the North Carolina Genealogical Society's In-Person/Hybrid event. We had about 50 in-person attendees in a room that held upwards of 325. We had one person per table (with some tables to spare). We had about 150 virtual attendees. Everyone also gets to watch some pre-recorded lectures.
Have any of you attended any in-person events since the pandemic began? Are you still opting for online when you have the choice?
SLIG is the only academy that announced an in-person institute for next year. It's scheduled for January. Both GRIP and IGHR announced virtual events. I must admit I was a little disappointed because I'm ready to see more of my genealogy friends.
Have any of you attended any in-person events since the pandemic began? Are you still opting for online when you have the choice?
SLIG is the only academy that announced an in-person institute for next year. It's scheduled for January. Both GRIP and IGHR announced virtual events. I must admit I was a little disappointed because I'm ready to see more of my genealogy friends.
2Keeline
Genealogy events only? None.
Our bibliophile group had its second monthly in-person event last night in Altadena, Los Angeles county, CA, USA. We had probably 60% of the numbers who usually attend and most of our membership is well into retirement age (though not we).
A couple weeks ago we attended a book launch in northern California which had about 40 in attendance. They tried to do it as a hybrid event with Zoom but there were some missteps since they had not done this before. One major problem was sending out one link to the authors from the anthology attending remotely and another one for everyone else. Thus, only the authors and those with that link were added. The others were given a link later on to the recorded event (edited).
Just as it takes some getting used to in order to run virtual-only events with Zoom, it is sometimes even more challenging to handle on-site hybrid events. You need a decent camera, sound system, and especially upstream bandwidth (say 20 Mbps up). Often the typical cell connection doesn't have this. The WiFi in an event space may not depending on the nature of the Internet connection.
I remember some years back (2008 or 2009) when people were attending the opening of San Diego Comic-Con International and a bunch of people were trying to live-stream the rush into the building. The venue charges a large sum ($10,000) for each "spike" antenna that allows signals to come in from the outside for cell reception. Needless to say, the network bandwidth was saturated. Cell phone based credit card readers did not work reliably or were very slow. That is when we discovered Square which could do the same job with less of a network footprint.
Similarly, I went to a Museums and the Web conference in 2006. The Marriott hotel did not have adequate Internet for so many tech-oriented guests. The WiFi for the rooms and conference area were saturated and it was a struggle just to check email.
In terms of the in-person events, those who brave it decide that they are completely tired of the sequestration and Zoom-style events. It is a testament that many 70- and 80-something members came out for our bibliophile group. This event required full vaccination and masks when not eating.
People are trying hard to get back to normal life but it is a question of whether we will be allowed to do so.
James
Our bibliophile group had its second monthly in-person event last night in Altadena, Los Angeles county, CA, USA. We had probably 60% of the numbers who usually attend and most of our membership is well into retirement age (though not we).
A couple weeks ago we attended a book launch in northern California which had about 40 in attendance. They tried to do it as a hybrid event with Zoom but there were some missteps since they had not done this before. One major problem was sending out one link to the authors from the anthology attending remotely and another one for everyone else. Thus, only the authors and those with that link were added. The others were given a link later on to the recorded event (edited).
Just as it takes some getting used to in order to run virtual-only events with Zoom, it is sometimes even more challenging to handle on-site hybrid events. You need a decent camera, sound system, and especially upstream bandwidth (say 20 Mbps up). Often the typical cell connection doesn't have this. The WiFi in an event space may not depending on the nature of the Internet connection.
I remember some years back (2008 or 2009) when people were attending the opening of San Diego Comic-Con International and a bunch of people were trying to live-stream the rush into the building. The venue charges a large sum ($10,000) for each "spike" antenna that allows signals to come in from the outside for cell reception. Needless to say, the network bandwidth was saturated. Cell phone based credit card readers did not work reliably or were very slow. That is when we discovered Square which could do the same job with less of a network footprint.
Similarly, I went to a Museums and the Web conference in 2006. The Marriott hotel did not have adequate Internet for so many tech-oriented guests. The WiFi for the rooms and conference area were saturated and it was a struggle just to check email.
In terms of the in-person events, those who brave it decide that they are completely tired of the sequestration and Zoom-style events. It is a testament that many 70- and 80-something members came out for our bibliophile group. This event required full vaccination and masks when not eating.
People are trying hard to get back to normal life but it is a question of whether we will be allowed to do so.
James
3casvelyn
I haven't been to any in-person events since covid started. To be fair, I haven't been much of anywhere since covid started...
I'm attending two in-person genealogy conferences next year: Midwestern Roots (July) and the Indiana State Library's Genealogy and Local History Fair (October). I'm also doing RootsTech virtually, but I think it's only virtual anyway.
I actually prefer virtual events, because I don't really do large crowds well. Also I like sitting in my recliner in pajamas. :)
I'm attending two in-person genealogy conferences next year: Midwestern Roots (July) and the Indiana State Library's Genealogy and Local History Fair (October). I'm also doing RootsTech virtually, but I think it's only virtual anyway.
I actually prefer virtual events, because I don't really do large crowds well. Also I like sitting in my recliner in pajamas. :)
4thornton37814
>2 Keeline: James, We were fortunate to have a webinars/virtual conference chair who knew the right questions to ask and to be using a facility with experience in doing hybrid events for other audiences.
>3 casvelyn: I'm glad to know Midwestern Roots is happening in person. I may not do an institute this summer so I can divert some funds toward a research trip or real vacation or combination thereof.
>3 casvelyn: I'm glad to know Midwestern Roots is happening in person. I may not do an institute this summer so I can divert some funds toward a research trip or real vacation or combination thereof.
