Events The Herpetofauna Workers Meeting 2021 By Anju Sarpal - Outreach & Communications Manager The Herpetofauna Workers Meeting 2021 welcomed 270 delegates in February, attracting our largest ever attendance. Attendees tuned in virtually this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, to access a packed programme of twelve presentations, four workshops and eight lunchtime chatrooms.
The annual conference, in partnership with Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK), aims to offer the latest news on herpetofauna conservation and many networking opportunities. As the meeting is a key event in the annual herpetological calendar for sharing research and exchange views, our team was keen to capture as much of the live experience as possible. Despite not being able to meet face-to-face this year, the online conference brought some new advantages to content, enabling the use of polls, digital links to projects and QR code sharing of research, plus a wider selection of speakers presenting from across the UK and Europe. Lunchtime chatrooms enabled us to welcome additional partners to the event, highlighting more projects with ecologists, herpetologists, volunteers, consultants and students, both at home and abroad. Over the weekend delegates generated 4,481 chat messages on the live message boards, demonstrating a strong desire to network and discuss all things herpetofauna, despite not being in person, on an equal and fully visible basis. Attendees were also able to direct message other delegates and speakers instantly, creating another 200 conversations and connections. Delegates were also able to browse and shop at the stands in a virtual booths area and view research posters. The traditional evening’s entertainment also went ahead, enabling delegates to grab a drink and a pen for the return of the now infamous ‘Have I Got Newts For You’ quiz on the Saturday night.
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More importantly, the virtual platform enabled a more environmentally and economically friendly event and made it more inclusive, which in turn encouraged many new participants and a more diverse and wider geographically spread audience.
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We are delighted by the delegate feedback we have received, which has given us a great opportunity to review the way we include delegates in the future. Many thanks to our HWM 2021 sponsors.
Photo top right: ARC CEO Dr Tony Gent opening the conference © Dr Rob Ward (ARC). Middle right: Delegates attended the conference virtually © Celise Taylor. Bottom left: ARC’s Jim Foster & Dorothy Driver during their workshop © Steven Allain.
